Press Release from MTV Networks Australia
MTV Networks International (MTVNI), a unit of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), today announced that Katrina Southon, Vice President (VP), General Manager, Nickelodeon Australia has been promoted to Senior Vice President (SVP), Managing Director, MTV Networks Australia & New Zealand – effective 1 February 2011. The news was announced in Sydney by David Lynn, EVP & MD, MTV Networks UK, Ireland, Australia & New Zealand.
In her role as SVP, Managing Director, MTV Networks Australia & New Zealand, Southon will be responsible for strategic direction and overall management of the network’s bouquet of channels including MTV, MTV Classic, MTV Hits, MTVN HD, Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. in Australia and MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. in New Zealand. Capitalizing on brand strength, international heritage and creative expertise – and exclusive content – Southon will leverage the scale and synergies of the network to continue to add value for audiences, advertisers, labels and platform affiliates.
Southon will work alongside MTV Networks Australia & New Zealand’s leadership team: Rebecca Batties, General Manager, Music Brands & Comedy Central and Tom Armstrong, VP, Business Development & Digital who were central to MTV Australia’s 36% growth in distribution as a result of its move to Foxtel’s ‘Get Started’ tier – and the network’s expansion to a total of 4 MTV-branded channels in Australia in 2010.
Southon, who will also sit on the board of Ignite Media Brands, MTV’s joint venture, stand-alone sales house, will take on the role after 5 years at the helm of Nickelodeon Australia where she was responsible for MTV Networks’ kids and family business in Australia and New Zealand, overseeing all aspects of the Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. brands including television, local production, digital media, events – including 5 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards – and consumer products. During her tenure she grew the business to encompass a multi-tiered network of channel and digital services and garnered numerous industry awards including the prestigious ASTRA ‘Channel of the Year’ award in 2007 and 2009 for Nickelodeon Australia. Southon will continue to oversee Nickelodeon Australia until her replacement is appointed.
Previous to her appointment as VP, General Manager, Nickelodeon Australia, Katrina held international roles as VP, Nickelodeon Europe in London and Senior Director, Nickelodeon Network Operations, based in Singapore, where, during this 8 year period, she oversaw the launches of 22 Nickelodeon channels, 12 branded blocks and 10 localised sites around the world.
Commented David Lynn, Executive Vice President & MD, MTV Networks UK, Ireland, Australia & New Zealand: “Katrina is a accomplished and energetic TV executive who has grown the Nickelodeon Australia business to a multi-tiered network of channels and digital services aimed wholly at kids and their families. Katrina’s appointment underscores the extent of in-house talent that exists within the Viacom family and her local and international experience spanning commercial, brand, content and people management make her perfectly placed for her new role as Senior Vice President, Managing Director, MTV Networks Australia & New Zealand. “
Added Katrina Southon, SVP, Managing Director, MTV Networks Australia & New Zealand: “I’m delighted to be at the helm of MTV Networks Australia and New Zealand at such a pivotal time in its growth. The continued expansion of the Viacom business in this marketplace has resulted in a network of global channel brands, serving a wide spectrum of demographics and genres and run by talented, enthusiastic people – in particular MTV’s outstanding leadership team: Rebecca Batties and Tom Armstrong. As an MD, this is a really exciting proposition that offers huge creative scope and opportunities.”
Previous to joining Nickelodeon in 1997 Katrina held roles in production and creative in Australian free-to-air television spanning genres including sports, news, documentaries, game shows, music and variety performance formats and children’s commercial productions.