Dolgen Resigns As Viacom Ent. Group Chair
The exodus continues at Viacom, Inc. as Jonathan Dolgen, chairman of the Viacom Entertainment Group, is resigning, effective July 15, 2004. His ankling came on the heels the abrupt announcement that Viacom coo Mel Karmazin had stepped down and that Karmazin's role overseeing all Viacom divisions was being split between CBS chief Leslie Moonves and MTV Networks head Tom Freston. With the company's film operations reporting to Freston and its TV divisions reporting to Moonves, Dolgen's role was noticeably diminished.
In a statement Dolgen said, Due to the recently announced changes in Viacoms management structure, the time was right for me to step aside. It has been a privilege to work with Sumner Redstone for more than a decade and to have participated in the growth and success of Viacom. In Tom and Les, Sumner has chosen exceptional executives to help him lead this company well into the future.
I couldnt be more proud of the operations Im leaving behind, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount TV, Simon & Schuster, Famous Players, Paramount Parks and the extraordinary executives who lead them, Dolgen continued. I have been especially fortunate to have worked so closely with my partner Sherry Lansing, one of the true greats in the motion picture industry. Together we have been able to make great pictures and contribute to Viacoms overall performance. It has been a great run.
Jon is one of the best and most innovative managers in our industry or in any industry, said Viacom chairman/ceo Sumner Redstone. Under his leadership over the past decade, Paramount has been known for making great pictures and making them profitably. Under his watch, Paramount has won three Academy Awards for Best Picture, run one of the most successful television production operations in the industry, and pioneered the concept of co-financing and financial discipline since emulated by other motion picture companies. It has been one of my great pleasures to work closely with Jon.
During Dolgens tenure as chairman Viacom Ent. Group, Paramount Pictures has posted 10 years of profitability and won three Best Picture Oscars for FORREST GUMP, BRAVEHEART and TITANIC, the highest grossing film of all-time. Paramount Television's FRASIER amassed more Emmys than any other show in television history and ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT remains the No. 1 entertainment news magazine in the world. Recent bestsellers from Simon &Schuster include Hillary Clintons LIVING HISTORY, Dr. Phil McGraws THE ULTIMATE WEIGHT SOLUTION, Richard Clarkes AGAINST ALL ENEMIES, Bob Woodwards PLAN OF ATTACK and Dan Browns ANGELS AND DEMON.
Viacom is a leading global media company, with preeminent positions in broadcast and cable television, radio, outdoor advertising, and online. With programming that appeals to audiences in every demographic category across virtually all media, the company is a leader in the creation, promotion, and distribution of entertainment, news, sports, music and comedy. Viacoms well-known brands include CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, VH1, BET, Paramount Pictures, Infinity Broadcasting, Viacom Outdoor, UPN, TV Land, Comedy Central, CMT: Country Music Television, Spike TV, Showtime, Blockbuster, and Simon & Schuster. More information about Viacom and its businesses is available at www.viacom.com.