VIMN Taps EVP & GM for International Brand Development

NEW YORK: Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) has appointed Michael Armstrong as executive VP and general manager of international brand development.

He is responsible for continuing to identify new market opportunities to launch BET, Paramount and Spike, in addition to overseeing the strategy, branding and operations of those launches. Armstrong joined MTV Networks in 1998. Armstrong had been senior VP and general manager of BET International since May 2006. He transferred over to VIMN from BET Networks in 2011, at which time Paramount Channel was also added to his remit. Armstrong will now also spearhead the creation and international distribution of Spike, which will launch free to air in early 2015, replacing VIVA on Freeview. 

“Michael has had a long, impactful tenure with Viacom, both in the U.S. and at international, spanning key lines of business including affiliate, advertising and now network development,” said Robert Bakish, the president and CEO of VIMN. “This promotion recognizes the significant value that Michael’s leadership has delivered for the company.”