ViacomCBS Networks International (VCNI), a unit of ViacomCBS Inc., has announced three key Youth & Entertainment leadership appointments. Reporting to Kerry Taylor, Executive Vice President of VCNI’s Youth & Entertainment brands, these senior leaders will maximize content and programming across the international suite of brands including Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central and Paramount Network in 180 countries outside the U.S.
“This brilliant, creative team will partner with me to harness the power of our combined brands by bringing the best, most compelling content to audiences around the world,” said Taylor. “Each of these leaders has a wealth of experience that will grow and transform our business for the future while furthering our role as a global content engine.”
Kelly Bradshaw will now serve as Vice President of Brand & Content Strategy, VCNI Youth & Entertainment. In this new, expanded role, Bradshaw will lead content strategy and maximize IP expansion globally. Additionally, she will partner with the Production, Development, Sales, LBE, Music and Consumer Products teams to support their efforts to monetize content and drive brand revenue.
Most recently, Bradshaw was the Vice President & Brand Lead for MTV UK, Northern & Eastern Europe. In this role, she oversaw a portfolio of 18 U.K. channels including the MTV & VH1 flagships. Bradshaw, who joined MTV in 2004, commissioned hit shows such as Teen Mom UK and The Charlotte Show and worked in collaboration with MTV International on developing original programming hits such as Just Tattoo of Us. Under her leadership, MTV UK grew nearly 140% in the last 10 years, and in 2018 delivered its highest youth share since 2003. The brand also won multiple awards including Creative Channel of the Year at Promax 2018 and Specialist Channel of the Year at Edinburgh TV Festival 2019.
Craig Orr, formerly Vice President, Commissioning & Development, MTV International is expanding his remit as Vice President, Content & Development, VCNI Youth & Entertainment. Orr is now responsible for the development and commissioning of all original content for linear, digital and OTT platforms across the combined suite of international brands, bringing brand defining stories to audiences worldwide.
Orr, who joined MTV International in 2011 as an Executive Producer, has overseen the growth of MTV juggernaut Geordie Shore since 2013 along with its multiple spin-off series, and launched notable top-rated reality franchises including the #1 hit series Ex on the Beach, Just Tattoo of Us and True Love or True Lies. Most recently, Orr commissioned the remotely produced MTV Cribs: Footballers Stay Home and the digital first series Served! With Jade Thirlwall.
Kate Sils, who oversees digital for Nickelodeon International, is expanding her role by adding oversight of the Youth & Entertainment brands to her remit as the Vice President of VCNI Digital & Multiplatform. In this role, she will lead the strategy and production teams responsible for third party platform digital consumption.
Since joining the company in 2003, Sils has evolved with the digital landscape, moving from launching websites and web games to debuting global blockbuster apps and programming content across multiple digital platforms globally. Her work has helped propel ViacomCBS to #1 in the Tubular rankings for entertainment brands in digital content consumption. Under her leadership, Nickelodeon has seen exponential growth on third party platforms, and now boasts some of the highest-ranking YouTube channels in the world.
Jemma Yates is expanding her role to Vice President of Programming & Acquisitions, VCNI Youth & Entertainment. In this role, she will be responsible for creating engaging content experiences for consumers across all markets and services by leading international content acquisitions and VCNI’s programming strategy across its Youth & Entertainment brands.
Formerly Vice President of Content for Comedy Central and Paramount Network International, Yates oversaw acquisitions, programming and scheduling for the two brands. She joined Viacom International in 2015, and has helped Comedy Central International see four consecutive years of share growth. On Paramount Network International, she secured a multi-territory deal to bring the hit series Yellowstone to regions around the world, and is playing a leading role in the expansion of the Paramount+ streaming service around the world.
Across the three international brands, which are in 180 countries with 28 unique languages and in 375M households outside the U.S., linear viewership for 2Q20 was up +17 percent and market share was up +3 percent YOY. The monthly average video views also spiked over +175 percent for the year to date.
