LONDON – Viacom’s Viacom International Media Networks unit said Wednesday that it has hired Chris Shaw as executive vp, managing director of its advertising sales division Be Viacom.
Shaw was most recently senior vp, global head of advertising sales for NBCUniversal International Television. He will start his new role next week. Based in London, Shaw will report to VIMN president and CEO Bob Bakish.
Shaw will have responsibility for growing advertising and sponsorship revenue across the company’s portfolio of brands, including MTV, Nickelodeon and Comedy Central, across platforms outside the U.S.
The firm has sales directors in five global regions – U.K./Australia/Central & Eastern Europe, Northern Europe, Southern Europe/Middle East/Africa, Asia and the Americas.
Be Viacom is based in London and has responsibility for multi-territory deals and key international accounts.
“Chris has broad experience managing international ad sales operations for large-scale multi-national entertainment companies, and he’s also worked for some of the world’s biggest media and advertising agencies, plus one of the best known names in global talent management,” said Bakish. “He understands how to elicit the best results from sales teams working at the global and local levels and is in tune with the demands and expectations of a wide range of clients. His unique mix of skills will help strengthen VIMN as the media partner of choice for brands looking to engage audiences around the world in this complex and fast-shifting environment.”
Beforr joining NBCUniversal International Television in 2012, Shaw from 2008 to 2011 worked for Discovery Communications as senior vp, commercial development for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
From 2006 to 2008, he was head of commercial development for Simon Fuller’s 19 Entertainment. Since 2008, he has also run his own media consultancy, Up from the Skies, which specializes in the commercial development of media brands and talent.
E-mail: Georg.Szalai@THR.com
Twitter: @georgszalai
