ViacomCBS sets int’l streaming team

ViacomCBS Networks International (VCNI) has confirmed the leadership team for its recently restructured streaming division ahead of the departure of Pierluigi Gazzolo.

Kelly Day

Kelly Day was named president of streaming for VCNI in addition to her role as chief operating officer earlier this week as part the US media giant’s restructure around its streaming operations.

The rejig will see Gazzolo, president of streaming and studios at VCNI, leave the company at the end of the month after over 15 years with Viacom.

Day has now appointed leaders to drive the company’s streaming business in advance of the 2021 launch of Paramount+, the company’s premium SVoD service.

Doug Craig has joined the company in the newly created role of senior VP, content strategy and acquisitions at VCNI’s streaming division, which covers the international versions of Paramount+, Pluto TV and Noggin.

Doug Craig

Craig will lead international content strategy, acquisitions, programming and operations for VCNI’s portfolio of international streaming services and joins from NBCUniversal, where he oversaw content strategy and programming for Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes and Movieclips.

VCNI described it as a “key role” in leading the development and execution of its content proposition and channel/programming strategy for Paramount+, Pluto TV and Noggin in dozens of key markets.

Craig began his career in research at Nielsen and later moved into programming at Discovery, where he was eventually promoted to senior VP, programming and operations for the digital/mobile team.

Angela Heckman, meanwhile, has been appointed senior VP, revenue and operations, streaming division at VCNI, having previously been senior VP, digital partnerships for ViacomCBS’s domestic digital business.

Angela Heckman

Heckman will drive business operations and overall revenue growth for VCNI’s streaming portfolio across international markets. The exec is credited with leading the development of ViacomCBS’s domestic streaming partnerships, including those with Apple, Google, Amazon and Roku.

Beginning in the first quarter of 2021, VCNI will relaunch Paramount+ in Latin America and the Nordics and rebrand and relaunch 10 All Access in Australia as a premium version of Paramount+.

The service will exclusively feature Showtime original series premieres, Paramount+ originals and series from brands such as CBS Television Studios, Paramount Television Studios, BET, Nickelodeon and MTV.

Day said: “As we prepare for the global launch of Paramount+ and continue to expand Pluto TV and Noggin internationally, VCNI is positioned to become as powerful a player in streaming as we are in television.

“With this stellar leadership team, an unparalleled global content engine, a proven technology platform and an international infrastructure and partnerships that span 180 markets, the ViacomCBS international streaming team will deliver an exceptional consumer entertainment experience and significantly disrupt the streaming industry.”