MTV Networks Names Global Digital Media Chief

NEW YORK, November 1: MTV
Networks has appointed Mika Salmi as its president of global digital media, a
newly created position that will see him working across the company’s brands to
build a multiplatform experience, encompassing music, games, entertainment,
networking and interactivity, for its communities of targeted audiences.

Salmi was formerly CEO of
Atom Entertainment, the company he founded and which was acquired by MTVN in
August. He will report directly to Judy McGrath, the chairman and CEO of MTVN,
and will become a member of her senior strategy team.

“Mika is a digital media
veteran, and he is recognized for building innovative video and gaming assets
online,” said McGrath. “He understands what it takes to create that addictive,
immersive online experience, and at the same time, build a valuable brand. I am
incredibly pleased to have his talent and leadership experience on board to
lead our digital media transformation, worldwide. With Mika’s guidance, our
digital teams will continue the momentum we have today, to extend our brands
across every platform while creating new business, and next generation
applications across every device that engages our community. And he brings that
upbeat entrepreneurial spirit that is a hallmark of the digital age.”

“MTV Networks is an
amazing global entertainment community reaching targeted audiences through all
of its TV, online and mobile brands,” said Salmi. “What MTVN calls its
‘maniacal consumer focus’ will be the driving engine for our Global Digital
Media strategy. We will engage consumers with an industry-leading digital
experience through interactivity and community in all media including video,
music and games.”

This is the latest
announcement in MTV Networks’ digital media drive, which has seen the
acquisitions of NeoPets, GameTrailers and Xfire, among other assets. MTVN’s
digital stable also includes Quizilla, an online teen community site; Harmonix
Music Systems, a leader in music-oriented video games; Y2M, the largest network
of online U.S. college newspapers; as well as IFILM, MTV Flux, The Click from
The N, MTV’s Virtual Laguna Beach, Nickelodeon’s ParentsConnect; and original
broadband and wireless content across all the brands. MTVN currently has 30
broadband sites.

Salmi founded Atom
Entertainment in 1998 with its first brand AtomFilms, which then merged with
Shockwave.com in early 2001 to form Atom Entertainment. Today, the company’s
consumer services include Shockwave.com, AtomFilms, AddictingClips and
AddictingGames. Prior to creating Atom Entertainment, Salmi led business
development for the media and entertainment industries at RealNetworks.