Steve Grieder Expands Role at MTVNI

LONDON/NEW YORK: Nickelodeon International chief Steve Grieder is adding international program sales at MTV Networks International to his remit, and has already announced two key Asian deals sealed at MIPTV.

As the executive VP of Nickelodeon and program sales for MTVNI, Grieder will oversee the rollout of the company’s program brands from MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET, CMT, TV Land and Spike TV worldwide, reporting to Pierluigi Gazzolo, the COO of MTV Networks International, while still manning Nick’s network of 50 channels outside of the U.S., reporting to Cyma Zarghami, the president of MTVN Kids & Family Group. Grieder is also in charge of developing new and original content for sale to third parties and oversees a team of sales executives with offices in London, Miami, New York, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo. Grieder was most recently the senior VP of Nickelodeon International.

“Steve’s extensive knowledge and long experience in building MTV Networks’ brand portfolio internationally, especially Nickelodeon, will play an integral role in expanding the customization we deliver to our program sales clients,” commented Gazzolo. “We will enhance our program sales offerings by providing clients with bespoke opportunities to tap our entire collection of assets from digital media to consumer products, delivering and generating greater value.”

At MIPTV today, Grieder announced two new sales deals in Asia. Seasons 1 and 2 of iCarly have been picked up by Malaysia’s RTM.  And in Taiwan, YOYO TV has bought all seasons of SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, Go, Diego, Go! and Avatar: The Last Airbender for its VOD service.  YOYO TV also opted for seasons 6 and 7 of SpongeBob SquarePants, season 5 and a special of Dora the Explorer as well as season two of Go, Diego, Go! in a cable TV deal.