Raffaele Annecchino named Managing Director for Viacom Africa

Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN), a division of Viacom Inc., has announced  that Raffaele Annecchino, currently Senior Vice President and General Manager of VIMN’s operations in Iberia, Greece and Turkey, has been named Managing Director of the company’s South Europe, Middle East & Africa business. He succeeds Antonio Campo Dall’Orto, who has decided to leave VIMN to pursue other opportunities.

In his new role, which is effective immediately, Mr. Annecchino will report directly to Bob Bakish, VIMN’s President and CEO, and will be based in Madrid.  Mr. Annecchino will oversee all of the company’s brands and businesses across Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, Greece, Africa, the Middle East, Malta and Turkey. VIMN’s brands in the region include MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, Paramount Channel, VH1, Game One and a suite of digital media services.  A replacement for Mr. Annecchino in his former role as General Manager of Iberia, Greece and Turkey will be named shortly.

Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa, will now report directly into Raffaele Annecchino.  

Mr. Bakish said, “Raffaele has done a tremendous job managing our businesses across Iberia, Greece and Turkey, driving our brands to many important wins even amidst economic challenges. Under Raffaele’s leadership, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central and MTV in Spain have turned in solid performances, we launched six channels in Turkey, and our first Paramount Channel is growing steadily in its first year. Raffaele possesses a combination of creative ingenuity and strong business acumen, and an ability to build great teams and cultivate relationships throughout the region – all of which will be invaluable in guiding and growing our operations in South Europe, the Middle East and Africa.”  

Mr. Bakish continued, “Antonio has been a pillar in Viacom’s international organization for more than 15 years – he is a passionate and inspirational leader who is well-respected by our colleagues and partners around the world, and we are so grateful for all that he has done for the company. He led the launch of MTV Italy in 1997, and has overseen our teams in South Europe since 1999, helping VIMN’s brands and platforms in the region to develop and flourish, and embracing Africa and the Middle East territories in 2011. Most recently, he was the driving force behind MTV’s new brand vision and content strategy internationally, and served as a key architect in aligning and integrating MTV’s strategies on a local, regional and international level.  We thank Antonio for his many years of service at VIMN, and we wish him the very best as he moves on to new and exciting opportunities.”   Mr. Annecchino said, “I’m honoured to take on this new role at VIMN, and I’m looking forward to working closely with our teams across South Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and exploring ways to continue growing VIMN’s presence and performance in the region.”  

Mr. Annecchino first joined VIMN (then known as MTV Networks International) in 1997 as director of affiliate sales, and in 1999, assumed additional responsibilities, overseeing advertising sales and digital media. In 2002, he was promoted to General Manager of MTV Networks Spain, and in 2004, was named GM of MTV Networks Iberia, responsible for VIMN’s portfolio of brands in the region. His remit expanded once again in 2006 to include Greece, and he also began to oversee the region’s international program sales and consumer products businesses; in 2012, he was appointed GM of Turkey as well. Mr. Annecchino holds a degree in economics from the European Business School London and an MBA from Instituto de Empresa, Madrid. ]]>