MTV Networks International Names Steve Grieder As Head of Programme Sales

Nickelodeon & Viacom - April 2009

 
Tasked With Driving Global Content Sales Across All MTVN Brands
Continues to Oversee Nickelodeon International Growth

MTV Networks International (MTVNI), owned by Viacom Inc (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), announced today that company veteran, Steve Grieder, will add oversight of International Programme Sales (IPS) to his current duties. Grieder will serve as Executive Vice President of Nickelodeon and Programme Sales for MTVNI and is tasked with working across all MTVN platforms and business to drive programme sales and distribution worldwide. He will continue to serve as the ‘brand champion’ for Nickelodeon’s network of 50 channels outside the US, reporting to Cyma Zarghami, President of MTVN Kids & Family Group. As head of IPS, Grieder reports to Pierluigi Gazzolo, COO, MTV Networks International.

In this newly expanded role, Grieder is responsible for all international programme syndication activities for MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET, CMT, TV Land and Spike TV. Grieder is also in charge of developing new and original content in MTV Networks’ core competency areas of kids, music and young people, for sale to third parties and oversees a team of sales executives with offices in London, Miami, New York, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo.

“Steve's extensive knowledge and long experience in building MTV Networks’ brand portfolio internationally, especially Nickelodeon, will play an integral role in expanding the customisation we deliver to our programme sales clients,” commented, Gazzolo. “We will enhance our programme sales offerings by providing clients with bespoke opportunities to tap our entire collection of assets from digital media to consumer products, delivering and generating greater value.”

MTVNI Programme Sales syndication deals include customised global versions of Comedy Central’s hit series The Colbert Report and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, MTV’s flagship award shows the MTV Europe Music Awards and MTV Video Music Awards, multiple regional deals for MTV’s scripted reality franchise, Laguna Beach and The Hills, and Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants, iCarly and Dora the Explorer, generating some of the highest grossing revenues for MTVN programmes in terms of international third party sales.

A global leader in creating and packaging innovative programming, MTVNI’s branded content appeals across many demographics. A multi-genre, multiplatform, multi-brand one-stop shop for broadcast clients, MTVNI is a long time producer of formats such as Pimp My Ride and Blue’s Clues and digital rights are available via the MTVN Web Catch-Up+ service.

Before joining Nickelodeon in 2004 as Senior Vice President of Nickelodeon International, Grieder was General Manager, US Travel Network at InterActiveCorp. Grieder served as General Manager at Nickelodeon Latin America in Miami, starting in 1996, previously having worked for Star TV in Hong Kong as the Executive Producer of Channel [V].

Grieder began his career at MTV Networks, holding various posts at both MTV and Nickelodeon in the US and Asia. Grieder has served two terms as chair of the board of directors for PROMAX/BDA International and has been the recipient of a number of industry awards, including Gold and Silver Broadcast Design Awards (BDA), a New York International Film & Television Awards’ Gold Medal and a National Education Association Award. Grieder holds a Bachelor of Science in International Politics from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service in Washington, DC and now resides in New York with his family.