MTV Networks Reorganizes

MTV Networks announced a new organizational structure Wednesday.

The programmer said its operations will be split into two “ecosystems” -- one aligned around the development of short-form video, music and news content for linear television, as well as for online, video-on-demand, broadband, wireless and other digital vehicles; and the other focused on the television arena.

“When I returned to MTV last year, we had entered the broadband era with MTV Overdrive to great critical and user acclaim and were developing unique new wireless entertainment, while our linear channel was performing better than ever,” MTV: Music Television president Christina Norman said in a prepared statement.

“In order to continue strengthening our connection to young people in today's digital age, it became clear that we needed to adapt our organizational structure in the same way we have always adapted our programming to meet our audiences' ever-changing tastes,” she added.

MTV Networks Music Group president of entertainment and Logo president Brian Graden added, “By elevating all platforms to equal footing, we have created a 21st-century matrix for how we will develop and distribute content and connect with our audience. The creation of these two highly intertwined universes within MTV will allow us to efficiently extend our world-class content-development machine across all screens, as well as position us as entertainment leaders on all platforms.”

Among executive moves made as part of the reorganization:

• Amy Doyle was promoted to senior vice president of music and talent, from VP of music programming.

• MTV and MTV2 VP of label relations Peter Baron is expanding his duties by assuming programming responsibility for VOD, MHD and other emerging platforms.

• Tony DiBari was elevated to senior VP of production from VP of production.

• Dave Sirulnick was promoted to executive VP, MTV multiplatform production, news and music, from executive VP, news and production.

• New executive VP, MTV series entertainment and programming Lois Curren will now oversee all of the programmer’s long-form television development and programming. She had been executive VP, series development, overseeing the West Coast only.

• Tony DiSanto was elevated to executive VP, series development and animation, from senior VP, production, development and animation.

• Paul DeBenedittis was promoted to executive VP, multiplatform programming, content strategy and scheduling, from senior VP, program planning and scheduling.