MTV Networks Latin America Restructures Programming, Production Teams

MIAMI,
June 5: As part of its new strategy to localize the company, Viacom-owned MTV Networks Latin America (MTVNLA) has announced a number
of new executive appointments for MTV and VH1 Latin America’s programming and
production teams.

In line with its new creative structure, MTVNLA will move
MTV and VH1’s programming and production operations from Miami, Florida to
Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sao Paulo, Brazil (for VH1 only) and Mexico City, Mexico.
Each country’s programming and production team will be led by a head of content
overseeing the local and pan-regional programming and production
responsibilities that previously resided in Miami.

Under the new
structure, Vicente Solís will relocate to Mexico City from Miami to assume the
role of VP of MTV/VH1 Content for the Northern Region (Mexico). Previously, Solís
served as the VP of programming and creative strategy for VH1 Latin America,
where he oversaw the programming, production and the on and off-air image
for the brand at a pan-regional level. Jimmy Leroy has relocated to MTVNLA’s
Sao Paulo operation to become the VP of content for VH1 Brazil. The company will announce a head of
content for MTV and VH1 in Argentina shortly. Leroy also serves as the VP of
on-air for Nickelodeon Latin America, overseeing the brand’s on and off air
image pan-regionally. In this
role, he will continue reporting to Tatiana Rodriguez, the VP of programming
and creative strategy for Nickelodeon Latin America.

As heads of content, these individuals will oversee MTV
and VH1’s programming and production departments in their respective
markets. Their responsibilities
will include programming according to the needs and tastes of their audience;
assuming the day-to-day production supervision that previously existed in
Miami; and they will play a key part in the company’s pan-regional development
strategy, including identifying potential formats and co-production
opportunities that can be exported to the rest of the region. Additionally, they will oversee
and develop content for other platforms including digital TV, online, wireless,
broadband and video on demand.

Jose Tillán has also been appointed to the newly created
position of senior VP of content and music for MTV/VH1 Latin America. The
appointed heads of content will report to Tillán, as well as to their
respective country general managers—Paula Guerra in Argentina, Alvaro
Barros in Brazil and Carlos Magana in Mexico. Previously, Tillán was the senior
VP of music programming and talent strategy for MTVNLA and MTV Tr3s. Tillán will remain in Miami and report
to Pierluigi Gazzolo, the president of MTVNLA.

In his new position, Tillán will direct the content and
creative business strategy for MTV and VH1 Latin America at the pan-regional
level and locally with the country general managers. In addition,
he will continue to oversee the music content for both brands which
includes his role as executive producer for the company’s large franchise
events such as Los Premios MTV and Unplugged. Furthermore, he
will maintain a strategic role with MTV Tr3s.

“Re-inventing our creative structure supports our decision
to have more programming and production driven locally,” commented Gazzolo.
“Further empowering our local teams to develop, produce and program content for
their markets is an important phase of our growth and will ensure that we
continue to achieve the highest level of connectivity with our audience and
clients.”