VIMN Names New EVP, MD for Northern Europe

BERLIN/NEW YORK: Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) has appointed Magnus Kastner, who joins from Rotana Media Services, as its executive VP and managing director for Northern Europe, effective in February.

In his new position, Kastner will be responsible for managing VIMN's brands and business throughout Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark and Iceland. This includes MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, VIVA, VH1, TMF, digital media services and mobile brand licensing. He will work out of Berlin under Bob Bakish, the company's president and CEO. He is taking the place of Dan Ligtvoet, who resigned earlier this year, and Willem Schelling, the COO of VIMN North, who acted as interim managing director after Ligtvoet left.

Kastner used to be the president of Rotana Media Services. Before that he was the managing director and senior VP of Discovery Networks in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Bakish remarked: "We're thrilled to have Magnus join our team at Viacom International Media Networks, as he has a long history of success in guiding and growing businesses across Europe and the Middle East. In his previous management positions, he provided strong, strategic vision and leadership that drove the organizations to several major commercial and creative wins, and we know that he'll bring that great experience and expertise to VIMN as the head of our Northern European business."

Kastner added: "Returning to Viacom feels like coming home after all these years. It's an honor to join the VIMN North team, and I'm looking forward to working closely with colleagues, partners and clients to build on the momentum the VIMN brands and businesses already have in the region."