Viacom slowly ruining yet another relationship

Lately it seems like Viacom doesn't know how to preserve relationships. If it isn't old man Sumner yapping way over the line about someone, its CEO Phil Dauman. Dauman reportedly may have pissed off director Steven Spielberg by implying that Viacom and Dreamworks would continue to be successful without Spielberg's imput. You would think that a CEO would know how to choose his words more carefully. Now poor little Brad Grey has to step in and play the calmer while trying to avoid calling his boss a dick head. Speaking by telephone on Thursday, Brad Grey, Paramount’s chairman, was eager to calm the waters stirred up by one of his bosses. “I have the greatest respect for the creativity of Steven Spielberg and the entire DreamWorks team, as well as the immense entrepreneurial business skills of David Geffen,” he said. Mr. Grey added, “On behalf of Viacom and Paramount, I hope we’re all in business for a very long time.” Viacom Chief’s Remark on Spielberg Stirs a Furor [NYT]