ViacomCBS continued to round out its management team in anticipation of the expected year-end closing of the merger of the two programming giants -- Viacom and CBS -- naming Viacom veteran Julia Phelps EVP, chief communications and corporate marketing officer of the new entity.

Viacom and CBS announced their plans to merge earlier this month. Phelps will report to current Viacom CEO Bob Bakish, who will become CEO of the combined entity once the deal closes.

Dana McClintock, who was named EVP and chief communications officer at CBS in October, will remain in that role after the merger closes. He will report to Joseph Ianniello, who will become chairman and CEO of CBS after the deal is completed. 

In her role, Phelps will lead ViacomCBS’ corporate communications, corporate marketing, corporate responsibility, special events and internal creative teams.

“Julia has been a vital force in shaping and communicating Viacom’s strategy, and revitalizing its vibrant culture and dynamic, entrepreneurial spirit,” Bakish said in a press release. “Her leadership and skill in communicating and driving change will be invaluable as we bring together the talented teams of CBS and Viacom.”

Earlier, ViacomCBS announced that it had named Anthony DiClemente as EVP, investor relations for ViacomCBS, effective upon the close of the deal.

“Julia and Anthony are both highly experienced executives who have contributed significantly to the respective success of Viacom and CBS. I look forward to working with both of them, drawing on their insights and expertise, as we pursue a powerful growth strategy anchored in ViacomCBS’s position as one of the most important content producers and providers in the world,” Bakish said in a press release.

Phelps most recently served as EVP, communications, culture and marketing at Viacom, a role she assumed in 2017.Prior to that she was EVP of communications at Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN), and earlier served SVP of corporate communications for VIMN and as VP of corporate communications for Viacom. Phelps first joined Viacom in 2005 from New York based agency DeVries Public Relations. 

Julia Phelps, head of communications for Viacom International Media Networks, has been named SVP, communications and culture.

In that newly created post, Phelps will head up corporate communications and corporate culture. That will include corporate marketing, special events and internal creative.

Phelps had been EVP of communications for Viacom's international brands, including MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET, Paramount Channel, VH1, COLORS and Channel 5.

She joined the company in 2005.