Bob Bakish
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, VIACOM INTERNATIONAL MEDIA NETWORKS
Robert M. Bakish is President and CEO, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN). In this role, which he assumed in January 2011, Mr. Bakish has responsibility for all Viacom media networks and operations internationally, including MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, VH1, VIVA, MTVNHD, Game One, BET, non-premium Paramount Pictures branded channels and Tr3s: MTV, Musicá y Más, a channel for US Hispanic audiences. Viacom brands -- which are among the world’s most popular premier multimedia entertainment offerings -- are seen globally in more than 600 million households in 160 countries and 34 languages via 165 locally programmed TV channels and more than 550 digital media and mobile TV properties.
In addition, Mr. Bakish is Chairman of the Board of Viacom18 (the company’s joint venture in India, which operates the COLORS Television Network, as well as MTV, VH1 and Nickelodeon) and is on the boards of the company’s joint ventures with BSkyB and Telecom Italia Media. He also serves on the board of the Avid Technology Inc, a NASDAQ listed company. Mr. Bakish is based in New York and reports to Philippe Dauman, President and CEO of Viacom Inc.
Previously, Mr. Bakish was President of MTV Networks International overseeing international operations. Prior to that he was Executive Vice President, Operations and Viacom Enterprises, responsible for Viacom’s Strategic Planning and Business Development, the Viacom Plus Sales Group, IS&T, the Famous Music Publishing company and Famous Players Theater Circuit in Canada. In this capacity, among other initiatives, Mr. Bakish played a key role in the separation of the Viacom and CBS companies and Famous Music’s acquisition of Extreme Music. Mr. Bakish also led Viacom’s cross-divisional Marketing Council.
Before that, he served as EVP and Chief Operating Officer, MTV Networks (MTVN) Advertising Sales and was Chairman of the Cable Television Advertising Bureau from 2003 to 2005. During this period, Mr. Bakish also had responsibility for MTVN’s strategy and business development, where he led the integration of CBS Cable, Comedy Central and College Television Network into MTV Networks, as well as a broad range of other initiatives.
Prior to joining MTVN, Mr. Bakish was SVP, Planning, Development and Technology at Viacom Inc. In this capacity, he worked with senior management on advancing the company’s overall strategy, evaluated new business opportunities, supported major acquisition and divestiture initiatives, and oversaw Viacom’s global satellite portfolio and its U.S. Network Operations Center, as well as activities focused on the evaluation of emerging media technologies.
Before joining Viacom in February 1997, Mr. Bakish was a partner with Booz Allen & Hamilton in its Media and Entertainment practice. He worked extensively with clients in the television, motion picture, book publishing and new media industries in the U.S., Europe, Latin America and Asia. Previously, Mr. Bakish worked at AT&T in its network systems area.
Mr. Bakish received an M.B.A. from the Columbia University School of Business in 1989 and a B.S. in Operations Research from Columbia’s School of Engineering and Applied Science in 1985. Mr. Bakish remains active with both schools, serving on the Business School’s Board of Overseers and Media Forum and the Engineering School’s Board of Visitors.
