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Viacom appoints banker for M&A

US media giant Viacom has appointed a former JP Morgan and Bear Stearns executive to oversee the company’s M&A activity.

Alex Berkett

Alex Berkett

Alex Berkett becomes senior VP of corporate development and will lead the company’s global M&A functions. He will be based in New York and report to Wade Davis, chief financial officer of Viacom.

Berkett joins from local media group Townsquare Media, which he co-founded in 2010, and will identify and develop growth opportunities for Viacom and its brands, including partnerships, acquisitions, investments and joint ventures.

Berkett previously worked in JP Morgan’s Technology, Media & Telecom Investment Banking Group and spent 11 years in the investment banking division of Bear Stearns. During his stint there he rose to MD and focused on merger and acquisition advisory for media and entertainment companies.

Davis said Berkett would “oversee our efforts to forge new partnerships, explore opportunities in innovative new businesses and help advance the company’s strategic goals.”

His appointment comes during a busy spell of consolidation in the TV industry, including the recent merger of Zodiak and Banijay and Viacom’s deal to take over UK broadcaster Channel 5 last year.

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