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Michael J. Wolf New MTV Networks President/COO

Michael J. Wolf has been named president/coo of MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom Inc. In this newly created senior executive position, Wolf will lead the company's business and technology operations, including Advertising Sales, Affiliate Sales and Marketing, Business and Strategy Development, Business and Legal Affairs, Finance, Information Systems and Technology, and Production Operations. He will also help set and implement MTVs evolving multiplatform strategy to serve its audiences across all screens with the most compelling content.

"As one of the most respected business and advertising strategists in our industry and our trusted senior advisor for over a decade, we're thrilled that Michael is joining MTV Networks," said Judy McGrath, chairman/ceo of MTV Networks, to whom he reports. "His incredible operational, digital media and marketing expertise will help us further extend our global brands across multiple platforms. He will also help us become an even more valuable partner to our advertisers, distributors and international business partners looking to solve their most difficult marketing challenges in today's changing media landscape."

As former managing partner of McKinsey & Co.'s Global Media, Entertainment and Information practice, Wolf has been the leading consultant to the ceos and senior managers of many of the world's leading media, information and entertainment companies for the past 16 years and has led a number of the major transactions, strategic alignments and innovations in these industries.

McGrath continued, "I know that Michael's compelling vision about the digital future of our industry will allow us take full advantage of new and emerging opportunities in today's marketplace. And as we continue to transform every aspect of our business, Michael will ensure that we're running as agilely, effectively and strategically as possible.

"MTV Networks is the one company in the entertainment industry where the Internet meets television and television meets the Internet, Wolf said. It's the nexus of the new and the old. It's an exciting time to partner with these world-renowned brands that have always been global leaders in both driving and embracing change and innovation."

During his tenure at McKinsey, Wolf focused on helping senior management define the future of their companies while solving their most important and complex business problems, including issues surrounding operations, organization, strategy and marketing.

He joined McKinsey in 2001 as the firm's first-ever outside senior partner hire. He subsequently built McKinsey's partner group and capabilities into the largest global practice serving the media, entertainment and information industries.

His clients have included many of the top global media conglomerates that are leaders in filmed entertainment, cable television, music, broadcasting, home video, interactive video games, online, magazines, newspapers, educational publishing, sports, DBS, theatrical, theme parks and book publishing. Additionally, he has also advised companies in the related areas of merchandising, direct marketing, themed retail, toys and consumer electronics.

Before joining McKinsey, Wolf was a senior partner with Booz Allen & Hamilton, where he founded and led the Media and Entertainment Group and built it into one of the largest segments of the firm. He served on Booz Allen's board of directors and Executive Management Committee and was also the firm's chief marketing officer.

He is a member of the boards of trustees of WNET and WLIW (New York's Public Television Stations), The International Radio and Television Society, the Museum of Television and Radio Media Center and PENCIL (New York's Principal for a Day Program). He is chairman of the UJA Federation's Entertainment & Media Division.

MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom International Inc., is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with more than 100 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS which includes LOGO, NOGGIN, VH1 Classic and 10 additional digital services, all of these networks are trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 90 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services and also has licensing agreements, joint ventures and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

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