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Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) today announced the appointment of James Currell to head its pan-regional operations managed out of the UK.
Currell has been promoted to become Executive Vice President, Managing Director of VIMN UK, Northern and Eastern Europe, having previously been Chief Operating Officer. In this role he will have management oversight of all of Viacom’s media networks and related businesses in 33 European countries, including the UK. Currell will report to David Lynn, whom he replaces at the helm of Viacom’s UK-led operations, following Lynn’s promotion to become President, CEO of VIMN.
Simultaneously, Channel 5’s Chief Operating Officer, Paul Dunthorne, has been promoted to the same role for VIMN UK, Northern and Eastern Europe, reporting to Currell.
David Lynn commented: “James has been integral to the stellar growth of our operations managed out of the UK, both before and after our acquisition of Channel 5. He’s relentlessly strategic and inquisitive and has a fine understanding of the different needs of all our brands; I couldn’t be happier to have an executive of his calibre to promote from within and I look forward to working with him and Paul to continue developing the exciting momentum we’ve built in our business.”
James Currell added: “Viacom has transformed its UK presence and grown its footprint across Europe by increasing investment in quality local content and adopting an innovative approach to partnership and to the way our brands work together. I’m excited by the growth opportunities that exist in mature and emerging European markets, given Viacom’s scale and the enduring influence of our brands on TV and, increasingly, online.”
Viacom’s operations managed out of the UK have grown strongly in recent years, with the geographical group increasing annual profits by an average of 15% each year since 2010. The group operates more than 80 channels reaching 86 million households in 33 territories across Europe, an increase in reach of 16% year-on-year in 2016.
Following its high-profile acquisition in 2014, Channel 5 has performed exceptionally under Viacom’s ownership, delivering its highest ever operating profit in its latest financial year (to September 30th, 2016) and growing its portfolio share amongst 16 to 34-year-old viewers by 9%. Thanks to an equally strong performance by Viacom’s UK pay TV channels in 2016 – including Comedy Central, MTV and Nickelodeon – Viacom accounted for one in every six hours of UK commercial TV watched by this key demographic during the year. | 
