NICK HEAD HERB SCANNELL EXITS MTV NETWORKS

MTV Networks Vice Chairman Herb Scannell, the longtime President of Nickelodeon Networks, has decided to leave the company to pursue other business opportunities. During his tenure at MTVN, Scannell led Nick to 10 straight years as the top-rated cable network. He began his career at Nickelodeon in 1988 and was named President of the network in 1996. Without Scannell, there would be no SpongeBob SquarePants, Rugrats, Jimmy Neutron, Dora the Explorer or Blue’s Clues.

“After nearly 20 years with MTV Networks and Nickelodeon, I felt this was the right time to move to the next leadership position in my career,” Scannell explained. “I have great faith in the management teams in place at Nickelodeon, TV Land and Spike TV, and am confident that these networks will continue their outstanding performance and maintain the extraordinary bonds with their audiences that have made them so successful. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to lead such an exceptional team, which has built some of the strongest brands in our business.”

Said MTVN Chairman/CEO Judy McGrath: “Herb and I have worked together for nearly two decades, and I’ve appreciated him as a creative and strategic thinker and, most importantly, as a friend. He has guided Nickelodeon Networks to an unrivaled leadership position and has broadened its businesses to engage viewers beyond the TV screen in licensing, movies, recreation and much more. He is a true innovator, and he is leaving a great legacy for our company and the industry.”

In related news, MTVN has a revamped the Nickelodeon Net management structure, installing Nickelodeon Television President Cyma Zarghami as the head of the MTVN Kids and Family group. This newly formed entity will include Nick TV, Nick at Nite, Nick Online, Nick Movies, Noggin/The N, Nicktoons Television and Nickelodeon Games and Sports, as well as Nickelodeon’s magazine, recreation and digital operations.

Under Zarghami’s leadership in 2005, Nickelodeon owned the top 30-rated kids shows (K2-11) on all broadcast and cable television, including the top five live action “tween” series (K9-14) and top five preschool (K 2-5) shows, far out-pacing all its competition.

Said McGrath: “Cyma’s creativity, vision, passion for her audience and incomparable track record make her the best person to lead our Kids and Family group,” said Ms. McGrath. “She has consistently proven herself to have the foresight, management expertise and consumer expertise we’ll need to continue our strong momentum at the Nickelodeon networks and take them to the next level of multiplatform success.”

Added Scannell: "Having worked with Cyma throughout her career at Nick, I am happy and proud that Cyma will be carrying Nick forward to its next era of success.”

Additionally, TV Land, which previously operated under the Nick Net umbrella, will join Spike TV and Comedy Central under President Doug Herzog. TV Land President Larry Jones will report to Herzog while continuing to lead Nick at Nite with a dual report to Zarghami.