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MTV Networks Names Billy Dexter First Chief Diversity Officer

Billy Dexter has been appointed MTV Networks first evp/chief diversity officer (cdo). This new executive position creates a senior leader of the company's global initiatives to foster the highest levels of diversity throughout every aspect of its businesses. Dexter reports to Judy McGrath, chairman/ceo of MTV Networks, and will represent diversity issues on her executive strategy team.

The creation of a cto at MTV Networks is a crucial next step in building the most diverse culture and creative output in the industry, said McGrath. We are completely committed to diversity and inclusion, because it's the most creative and vibrant thing we can do for our future, she said. The audience for our content is increasingly global, diverse in thought, demographic and lifestyle. Over the years, no other initiative has so enriched MTV Networks, or made us more relevant and successful. I am thrilled that Billy, with his great expertise, will be leading our work in this area.

Dexter will partner with MTV Networks' senior leadership to develop strategies that further diversity throughout the company and to identify new ways of enhancing existing initiatives. He will also work with MTV Networks' current diversity councils and teams to create more formal structures and processes for implementing key recommendations. He will also forge new partnerships with relevant outside organizations and represent the company's diversity efforts externally.

Dexter has been a leader in diversity-related efforts for more than 15 years. Prior to joining MTV Networks, Dexter was cto of Hudson Highland Group (HHG), a leading exec search and human resources consulting firm with more than 4,000 employees in 20 countries. Dexter served concurrently as president of Hudson Inclusion Solutions, a global diversity consulting practice he founded within Hudson Highland to provide diversity consulting, training and recruitment solutions to leading corporations.

Earlier, Dexter was vp for diversity and inclusion initiatives for Monster Worldwide, former parent company of HHG, where he developed offerings to help Monster's global client base with diversity recruitment solutions. Prior to Monster, Dexter worked for Deloitte & Touche as national director of international & diversity recruitment solutions, where he provided strategic direction on diversity and international recruitment issues to the auditing, risk management, tax and consulting divisions.

Prior to Deloitte & Touche, Dexter was a staffing director at Motorola, responsible for university relations and professional employment for the company's largest business unit. He has also worked for United Airlines as a corporate manager of university and community relations, as well as for Michigan State University as assistant director of career services.

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.