Rupert Murdoch: We are working this web thingy

The real king of all media, King Rupert said that News Corp's web business is booming, the company's stock price continues to outperform other media stocks and the greedy bastards on Wall Street are taking notice. No one can deny the facts about News Corp's roll in the current race to digital supremacy among big media companies. It was News Corp, thanks to former Fox Interactive head Ross levinsohn who jump started the social networking craze among big media, costing Tom Freston his job. It is News Corp who now has people like Les Moonves and Phil Dauman of Viacom and Judy McGrath, once our favorite to be Viacom Prexy, spending big to show how Internet savvy they are. So Murdoch can stand on a podium and say, I shaped the current digital model big media is moving to. And on top of all this, he is so humble. What a fucking guy? "We have a long way to go, but we're starting to be rewarded for our efforts to transform ourselves into a company for the digital age," Mr Murdoch said. He said Fox Interactive Media's Internet portfolio reached more than 160 million people globally. News Corp nets a win [Herald Sun]

Guess Judy didn't have Bakker's back

-Shomari Hines The head rolling continues at Viacom's MTV Networks. This time the bomb dropped overseas at MTV UK which will see 250 jobs terminated. MTV UK head Michiel Bakker is getting a head start by jumping ship early. But not after saying something nice about the company. "The company has a great and challenging future ahead of it but I have decided it is time to turn the music off and see where life takes me," Bakker said in a statement. The 20-year veteran held the title of executive vice president and managing director and most recently oversaw the launch of MTV's broadband Internet business in the U.K. and a social networking and TV channel operation called MTV Flux in Britain. He is leaving to pursue other interests. Yeah sure you are Bakker. MTV U.K., head to leave, international layoffs [Reuters] Image originally uploaded by garretkeogh via Flickr

POLL: What do you think? Day 2

Last week we launched our "Les Is More" campaign where we are calling for CBS CEO Les Moonves to occupy the CEO seat at Viacom as well, something we call "The Ghosn Act". What is your take on this? Should Les Moonves' CEO time be split between CBS and Viacom? Should Les Moonves run Viacom & CBS? YES NO HELL NO MAYBE NO. PHIL DAUMAN SHOULD CONTINUE TO RUN VIACOM BRING BACK TOM FRESTON GIVE THE CEO JOB TO JUDY MCGRATH

POLL: What do you think?

Last week we launched our "Les Is More" campaign where we are calling for CBS CEO Les Moonves to take the CEO seat at Viacom as well, something we call "The Ghosn Act". What is your take on this? Should Les Moonves' CEO time be split between CBS and Viacom? Should Les Moonves run Viacom & CBS? YES NO HELL NO MAYBE NO. PHIL DAUMAN SHOULD CONTINUE TO RUN VIACOM BRING BACK TOM FRESTON GIVE THE CEO JOB TO JUDY MCGRATH

We can’t believe we’re about to say this but….

-Shomari Hines Remember last year when Tom Freston was still CEO of Viacom and we said their answer to Wall Street’s concerns would be to install MTV CEO Judy McGrath as President? Well we abandoned that talk when Freston was shit canned by Grandpa Sumner. However we won’t lie, even after he left we talked her up as the future leader of Viacom, but we abandoned that too. Over the past few months we have been doing some serious thinking about Viacom and what the company needs to get back in the good graces of Wall Street. We couldn’t quite put our finger on it. We asked should they buy someone, or spin off the MTV unit? We just couldn’t think of a solution to Viacom’s current woes. Then it hit us. What does Wall Street like? A CEO who plays on their terms right? A CEO who can talk up his company and not afraid to take chances and who can find and develop new revenue sources right? Then we asked ourselves, but who would fit into this mold? Who is Wall Street loving right now? And then BOOM! It hit us again. The man who fits into this mold and linked to Viacom is the man we love to hate, Les “Love Boat” Moonves. MORE.... We can’t really say that splitting Viacom in two was a big mistake because, CBS is doing well and is making some serious moves under Moonves’ leadership. But Viacom has dragged its ass since the break up a year ago. The company hasn’t made any major moves to mention except a truck load of layoffs. Current Viacom CEO Phil Dauman is just some guy in a suite who got Tom Freston’s job and is close to Sumner Redstone. The only reason Dauman is CEO is because Sumner probably couldn’t land someone else in time for his termination of Freston. In a scenario we know may not happen, but it isn’t impossible, Les Moonves should lead both Viacom and CBS the same way Carlos Ghosn runs Nissan and Renault. He would spend less time with his hot wife Julie Chen Moonves but we think Les could knock it out the park. You know what, maybe for Viacom the best thing is to get back with CBS and name the new company Viacom CBS and install Moonves as king. Is this possible? We think so. Would Moonves jump on it? Only Moonves knows. -Shomari Hines

More layoffs and less flashier digs for MTV's entertainment group

So the reported 250 canned at MTV isn't the end of the Time Inc-esque blood bath unleashed by MTVN boss lady Judy Mcgrath. Now there is talk that the company may be moving it's entertainment group into what will probably be less flashier digs downtown. Last year we posted about and linked to a report that said all of Viacom could be out on their ass due to some lease issues with the landlords of 1515 Broadway. Was this resolved, or will Viacom be moving out in stages? The move would be the first of what these sources said could be Viacom's complete relocation out of Times Square to downtown Manhattan. According to these sources, there has been talk of dividing the company into groups around one central Hudson Street location. For instance, all of Viacom's children-oriented networks would be in a single location, while all of the music-focused channels would be in another location. Viacom's corporate offices would serve as the hub. TV LAND, COMEDY CENTRAL HEAD DOWNTOWN [NYT]

A Look Back: Judy McGrath lives up to her BusinessWeek cover

Last year MTV Networks boss woman Judy McGrath graced a cover of Businessweek with the headline "Can MTV Stay Cool? How CEO Judy McGrath must remake her TV empire for a digital world". However there was no mention in the lengthy article of plans to axe a chunk of the work force in the remaking efforts. Guess that part was off the record. Judy McGrath is doing something alien to the start-from-scratch culture: seeking acquisitions and partnerships. MTV Networks last year bought companies like amateur short-film Web site IFILM Corp. and children's Web site Neopets, treasure troves with tens of millions of sticky users. IFILM just launched a show on VH1, and the Nickelodeon team is helping to design consumer products for Neopets. In January, McGrath announced a deal in which MTV is teaming with Microsoft Corp. to launch a music download service, URGE, later this year. Other forms of media are getting infusions, too, including the movie units at MTV (Hustle & Flow, Murderball) and Nickelodeon (Julia Roberts in Charlotte's Web, due out this year). And never mind the culture wars: McGrath continues to break new ground with channels such as gay-and-lesbian-themed Logo, which so far is seen in 22 millon homes, despite pushback from some distributors. Can MTV Stay Cool? [Businessweek] RELATED: MTV Nets terminating 250 staffers, memo says

MTVN's Judy McGrath attempts to explain to minions why she has to take their jobs

Our friends in our heads at Gawker got their hands on an email allegedly sent by MTVN CEO Judy McGrath to staffers this morning explaining the decision to cut jobs. I want to let you know about some organizational changes we are making this week. Over the last few years, we've changed the way we operate, to become a truly multiplatform content company. We are creative leaders who continue to invest in our television and digital future, and to keep winning in this revolutionary environment, we have to refine our business and organizational models as well. Full email after the click.... From: Office of Judy McGrath Sent: Mon 2/12/2007 6:17 AM Subject: Our Organization I want to let you know about some organizational changes we are making this week. Over the last few years, we've changed the way we operate, to become a truly multiplatform content company. We are creative leaders who continue to invest in our television and digital future, and to keep winning in this revolutionary environment, we have to refine our business and organizational models as well. With that as a backdrop, we will be fine-tuning how we operate in each of our groups - Music and Logo; Kids and Family; Entertainment; International; Sales and Strategic Services - in ways that will allow us to better share resources across our brands, and to invest in our linear channels and other key growth areas. In the U.S., we will build resources against some new businesses - our interactive properties and some of our new networks - and we will make reductions in others. Separately, International is also looking at new ways of working, and exploring new business models for television and online, which will be evaluated over the near term. We've carefully reviewed all aspects of our business, and these moves are necessary to best align us for the future. Unfortunately, this means that approximately 250 U.S.-based staff employees will be leaving the company. Over the next few days, department heads will be meeting with those employees whose positions have been affected. The majority of this process will be completed by the end of the week. The close-knit culture we have at MTV Networks makes this especially tough. Everyone here makes invaluable contributions to the company every single day, and it is painful to see hard-working, dedicated people leave us. Please know that we are committed to helping our colleagues who are leaving during this transition in every possible way. Our industry is at an inflection point and many companies are going through the process of adapting their business models and organizations to the new realities. Especially in this challenging time, I want to thank you for your hard work and continued committment to MTV Networks. --Judy

Judy's open ended letter to the troops, probably only adds to jitters

When a major shake up takes place in any company, there is always that email to the troops from the office of the boss ensuring them that the company is moving full steam ahead and all is well. However when the letter lacks a clarity on what's next, it only adds to the mess at hand. We can only imagine the buzz in the MTVN offices this morning by the coffee machine and/or the water cooler. There are still questions and the poor bastards probably won't get answers anytime soon. After the click is an email sent out to MTVN employees from the office of Judy McGrath obtained by our friends in our heads at Gawker. Continued>> From: Office of Judy McGrathSent: Thu 1/11/2007 8:51 PM To: M_MTVN__ALL Subject: Important News As we enter a new year, I wanted to let you know about some significant changes at the top of our company. Michael Wolf, our President and Chief Operating Officer, has decided to leave the company. Michael joined us in late 2005, bringing aboard his acute understanding of the media landscape, his deep relationships with the dealmakers and influencers in our industry, and his passion for the behind-the-scenes strategy of creating and distributing content. Michael and I accomplished everything we set out to do together, restructuring our Ad Sales and Affiliate Sales and Marketing teams for the multiplatform world by bringing in digital sales expertise and expanding the reach of our distribution strategy to include VOD, wireless, and internet partners. Along the way, Michael helped put us on track to achieve our strategic goals, having completed a strong and actionable long-range plan, and introduced us to some of the best and brightest new minds in our company, including Colette Chestnut, our CFO; Nada Stirratt, our head of Digital Ad Sales; and Adam Cahan, our EVP of Business Strategy and Development. Michael has made a real impact on our company, and it is with the utmost respect and gratitude that we support his decision to leave, and wish him all the very best of luck in his next venture. Also leaving the company is our longtime colleague and champion Nicole Browning, President of Affiliate Sales and Marketing. Over the 25-year history of this company, few have made the mark that Nicole has in establishing and building the distribution for all of our channels, across the map. For 21 years, she has masterfully and strategically led our Affiliate Sales and Marketing team, delivering tremendous results financially and operationally, and expanding the reach of our brands across platforms. She is a tireless advocate for MTV Networks and our people, a strategic innovator, and a model of leadership and integrity for employees everywhere. Although I will personally miss her terribly, I know that her contributions will live on at this company for years to come. I know she will bring the same energy, business savvy, and commitment to her next chapter, and we all wish her all the best. In addition, Peter Low, Executive Vice President, Cable TV Distribution and Affiliate Marketing, will be leaving MTVN. For years, Peter has been among our most shrewd and talented dealmakers. He is a great strategic thinker, and he's helped lead the organization as we grow our distribution across platforms. We will miss his influence and his contributions, and we wish him well. I've asked Rich Eigendorff, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, MTVN Music, Logo and Films Group and former Chief Financial Officer of MTVN, to take on additional responsibilities and to partner with me for a short transition period. His firsthand, intimate knowledge of every part of our business makes him the best person to help me lead the company and make sure we don't miss a beat. Our Ad Sales, Affiliate Sales and Marketing, Business and Strategy Development, Business and Legal Affairs, and Finance units will report to me and to Rich. Our culture here is incredibly rich and diverse, but it is equally tight and close-knit. I know the departures of these close friends and colleagues aren't easy for anyone, but I respect their decisions. Our company will continue to evolve and grow in this new era of great change and opportunity in media. MTV Networks content and culture continue to be relevant around the globe, and each of you is a great contributor to our success. Please join me in thanking Michael, Nicole, and Peter for their hard work, and wishing them the very best of luck for success in the future. -Judy

Viacom continues to bleed

Did Viacom do a two for one, canning Gail Berman and MTVN Prexy Michael Wolf? We always did wonder why the hell Judy McGrath hired a lawyer as her number two? Via Gawker: Continuing our long tradition of posting first and then asking questions later (or, you know, in the post), we're going to put this one up there: A reliable inside source just confirmed that [MTV President & COO] Michael Wolf was fired this morning. If this is true, lets see who Mcgrath elevates.

MTVN expands again, Doug Herzog's stress to increase

Judy McGrath and company are separating the old folks and men, from the young folks and throwing them under the newly formed MTVN Entertainment Group. Leading the Group is Doug Herzog, President, MTVN Entertainment Group, who reports to Judy McGrath, Chairman and CEO, MTV Networks. The MTVN Entertainment Group now forms the third pillar of MTVN's targeted brand portfolio strategy, joining the MTVN Music, Logo and Films Group, led by Van Toffler; and the MTVN Kids and Family Group, helmed by Cyma Zarghami. "The MTVN Entertainment Group creates a portfolio of television and digital brands that can collectively deliver under-served demos through killer content like comedy, gaming, video, news and information, and some classic TV, too," said Judy McGrath, Chairman and CEO, MTV Networks. "Formalizing the Entertainment Group under Doug organizes us into three focused portfolio groups and highlights our overall strategy to provide the communities that form around our brands and content with immersive, multi-platform entertainment experiences." Viacom's MTV Networks Forms 'MTVN Entertainment Group', Focused on Adult-Directed, Male-Skewing Brands [FN]

Yahoo! wouldn't be a good look for Freston, we think, then again it could be....

So rumors are flowing like Diarrhea that former Viacom topper Tom "Tommy Boy" Freston may have been, or will be approached by the folks at Yahoo! about taking over for Terry Semel. We wouldn't be surprised being that Yahoo! seems to have a thing for traditional media guys and Semel seems to be on his last round. But for some reason we just don't see Tom Freston running a company like Yahoo! We mentioned before that we more see Tom heading a major record company, but there are no jobs on the CEO level open. But never the less it would be a great fit for Tom. So let’s just say that Yahoo! does offer and Tom bites. Does this mean that Viacom's Redstone should worry? Maybe MTV queen Judy McGrath didn't leave because she had no where to go. Would this be the door for the major exits Redstone feared? Ahh not sure on this but Techcrunch seems to have their finger on info as it flows out of Yahoo! Maybe by week's end we will know for sure what's really going on at Yahoo!, or with Freston for that Matter. Yahoo Execs Meeting To Discuss Major Shakeup [Techcrunch]

Don't get it twisted bitches. Judy McGrath is in charge

Even with an official announcement clearly outlining exactly what Mika Salmi has been hired to do, sites like Jossip still insist on giving Judy McGrath's job away. Judy McGrath is the Chairwoman and CEO of MTV Networks under her is a bevy of prexies running their own part of the empire Judy Rules.

Want to get into the business of making films for real? Post clips of random bullshit on YouTube and others

Old Media is still in their discovery stage of new media. They are so taken by this new wave of digital entertainment that they are also willing to shell out big bucks to get their feet in the door. No we're not talking about another web buyout, we're talking about big media handing college kids fat checks to produce movies and shows based on the shit they post on video sharing websites. So if there is anyone out there who always dreamed of getting their feet in Hollywood, then get a camera, gather a couple of your friends, write and short script, tell them to act it out while you film, post it on all the video sharing websites you can think of and pray that someone who works for Jeff Zucker, Les Moonves, Barry Meyer, Brad Grey, Judy McGrath and a shit load of others, sees it and the rest as they say is history. Old Media Discovers Web Auteurs [Mediaweek]

Wait a minute now.....

Our friends over at Dealbreaker broke that they heard that some new guy who runs Atom Films is going to be announced as the new President of MTV. We were kinda confused however with the headline they chose which read " And the Tom Freston Replacement Is...." As far as we know Tom Freston's replacement is Philippe Dauman who is now CEO of all of Viacom which is what Tom Freston was when he got canned. However, being that MTV's current president is Christina Norman, If this is true, should we expect some kind of shuffling in Judy's house this coming week? Is Christina Norman leaving the company or is Judy McGrath pulling her up? We hate having to wait to hear what is what? BREAKING(ish): And the Tom Freston Replacement Is... [DealBreaker]

Quick Item: Viacom's future ruler steps out with the hubby

MTV overlord and future Viacom boss Judy Mcgrath stepped out with the hubby the other night to attend The 2006 Whitney Gala Celebrating Picasso and American Art.

Philippe Dauman won't be CEO of Viacom for too long

Many in media circles like us believe current Viacom CEO Philippe P. Dauman won't be around too long. Why you ask? Well because grandpa Sumner hired Mr. Dauman for one reason and one reason only, to clean up the back room so the stock can move around a bit. Philippe P. Dauman is a long time trusted advisor to grandpa Sumner. He advised on many deals from the merger with CBS to the DreamWorks deal, but that doesn't make him media exec material. Viacom is built on creative content and the delivery of that content and there is only one person driving that creativity, now that Tom Freston took his money and ran. In the past we have campaigned and failed (because come on who were we kidding) for MTVN CEO Judy McGrath to be placed into the number two spot at Viacom, but with the whole Tom Freston showdown that went to hell. But then we got to thinking while our fucking power was cut for almost the whole day. Judy Mcgrath will eventually end up running Viacom! Why because Judy runs Viacom's cash cow business the MTV Networks which accounts for a huge chunk of Viacom's yearly revenue. It only makes sense for such a move to take place in the not too distant future. Phillipe Dauman is there to clear the way for the coming of Judy and when the day comes we will say "We told you so!!) Once Viacom's stock start dancing again, Judy will take the steering wheel.

Fixing Viacom: The first post

Viacom's MTV Networks Acquires Gorilla Nation's Quizilla.com for MTVN Kids and Family Group We think this is yet another quick fix effort by Viacom to fluff up their web status in wake of the Myspace fuck up. We have never heard about Quizilla.com and we don't know if this is a true good fit for the MTVN Kids operation. MTV has bought almost a half dozen websites since the Myspace miss and no one seems to have a clear strategy as to what each purchase means. Instead it all seems like the typical corporate media lingo. It sounds good in a press release but will it work? "Quizilla.com is a terrific destination and another interactive and creative online environment that we're adding to MTV Networks' portfolio of targeted digital brands," said Judy McGrath, Chairman and CEO, MTV Networks. "This marks another great step forward with our strategy of continuing to transform MTVN into a global, multi-platform entertainment company that engages our diverse audiences wherever, whenever and however they want." "The acquisition of Quizilla combined with The-N.com and NeoPets will further deepen our already strong connection with our audience and provide them with new ways to experience our content on The N as well as the ability to create and share their own creative ideas and passions through Quizilla," said Cyma Zarghami, President, Nickelodeon and MTVN Kids and Family Group. This is a great complement to our portfolio of brands that super serve preschoolers, kids, teens, parents and families overall."

Sumner's Angels

Viacom may have a male figure as the face of it's corporate leadership but the real people who drives Viacom are the women who controls the creative driven engine that makes Viacom.........well Viacom. Fortune sat with the women overseeing two of Viacom grand daddy Sumner Redstone's top businesses. MTV Chairwoman/CEO Judy McGrath and Paramount President Gayle Berman. From CNNmoney.com: You've been leading under fire since January, when Viacom and CBS split. Must you encourage the people who work for you by telling them, "All right, Viacom stock is down, but we're still a growth company"? MCGRATH: Never in a million years would I say that kind of thing! What I say is that we're a vast digital entertainment company. We have to make great content every day. Talk about galvanizing a worried workforce! Gail, you've had to do that at Paramount. Has it been more difficult than you expected? BERMAN: No, but the hazing has been harder! [Laughs.] The job is exactly what I expected. The women of Viacom [CNNmoney]

Morning Wire: Viacom still has a rock star in Judy McGrath

Viacom's top brass can rest easy for now that MTV queen Judy McGrath is staying put........for now. She made it clear in the interview that she would remain at MTV Networks. "I want the people that work here to know that I'm here and I believe in our strategy and I believe in them" [NYT] Yahoo! CEO Terry Semel isn't looking too attractive to investors lately thanks to Myspace and Youtube. [NYP] The very overrated Harvard University's new magazine may be a little over rated and the New York Post's "On the Newstand" kinda tell us why [NYP] Netflix.com will pay you $1million if you tell them which movies to offer you [AP] Even though they fell off their high horse, Fox News Channel will celebrate their 10th anniversary this week. [AP]

Media Soup: If that's what it takes, then they should have fired AOL's CEO too

Media giant Time Warner saw it's not so giant stock price jump a little due to a shake up of sorts at its AOL unit. Long time Vice Chairman and the man with the biggest buddy list Ted Leonsis was shown the door, resulting in a slight movement on the stock market. [MW] Viacom is starting to look like a fat juicy steak to Greedy Wall Streeters again thanks in a huge part to Judy McGrath. Judy McGrath, the head of MTV Networks, has indicated she will stay on putting to rest the fear that Viacom will go to shits if she left. This fact leads us to ask again, why isn't this woman running Viacom? [SA] CBS and Comcast decided that they will let us watch VOD for free. But of course they would. If it's free they will come, and so will the ad dollars. [Reuters] King Rupe would rather give up Direct TV for full control of News Corp. But will John Malone suck on it? [Bloomberg] Disney rules the bonds thanks to the good management of Bobby Iger. Hey Eisner, this may have been your best decision yet. [Bloomberg]

More Viacom: Who is next in line to meet the Grim Reaper face 2 face?

Tom Freston is in Malibu somewhere plotting his next move while waiting for his fat severance package. But while he is doing that, his former underlings back at Viacom HQ are sitting at the edge of their seats waiting to see if the axe will fall on them. One hand in glove axing will be Paramount boss Brad Grey. New President and CEO Philippe Dauman didn't do much to dissuade talk of the executives' fate which basically means its being looked at. Another exec who could be put on the chopping block is CFO Mike Dolan. Dolan came in under Freston but was never a shining star in Sumner's eyes. Dauman danced around a question from Sanford Bernstein analyst Michael Nathanson about Dolan's fate, saying only that he and Dolan have had "great conversations." However we don't see MTVN CEO Judy McGrath being axed anytime soon. But we do see her leaving on her own to possibly join up with Tom Freston in a new venture or at another company in a show of loyalty to Tom. FRESTON ALLIES ON EDGE [NYP]

CONCEDING: OK so maybe Judy McGrath will never head Viacom

We know when to throw in the towel. We know when the shit has hit the fan. We were so sure it would happen though but everything went down hill. If only Tom had listened to us. Mediawire Daily was the voice behind the "Judy for President" campaign that slowly went silent after we read the cards and saw the outcome in advance. We were even planning a friendly little protest in support of Judy McGrath outside Viacom's offices in Times Square rocking the "Judy for Pres" t-shirts. But we never even got the chance. Ok so maybe that was a bit over the top but we did think about it though. Tom Freston is gone and we have to officially kill the "Judy for President" campaign. So without further delay, we are conceding to the powers that be at Viacom. We will now spend our time digging up dirt on Philippe Dauman, the new CEO.

Tom Freston, didn't have a chance in hell

Tom Freston is the latest media exec to fall victim to the increasing unrealistic expectations of greedy investors and shareholders. The Viacom CBS split only happened at the beginning of this year but investors wanted miracles that would bring them even more money to their already deep pockets. Media execs who step into power of major media firms are instantly under pressure to deliver. They are pressured by shareholders and their board of directors the moment they sit behind that desk in the corner office. Viacom CEO Tom Freston fell to that pressure. When the split took effect on January 1st of this year, the media circles already pegged Tom the shining star because he was in control of the "sexier half" of the split. Being dubbed the shining star puts you in a spot where you can only be sure to deliver on that title, but Tom Freston's wings were clipped right from the start only allowing him limited shot calling and deal making power. One major example is Viacom losing out to Newscorp in the bid for social networking giant Myspace.com, an online property that would have fit hand in glove with Viacom's MTV brands. In interviews Tom Freston showed signs of frustration as did his long time underling Judy McGrath who was banking on the Myspace deal to create an ad and marketing powerhouse. So what now for Tom Freston? Will he land at a rival media company when the no compete period is up? Will he launch an online operation? Just what will Tommy boy do?

WIRE REWIND<< We're totally sucking Dick & Jeff off lovely

And now the days recap: If Dick Parsons does run for Mayor, his real campaign logo would probably be Time Warner blue [Mo Dick Mo Dick Mo Dick] Come on, we're sure we aren't the first ones to notice that Les Moonves and Bill Ritter could be brothers from another mother [Separated by networks, job titles and salary] We totally kinda predicted the mornings front page news [We told ya so. Then again is anyone surprised] Do we love Judy McGrath or what? [Today In Judy For President] Carl Icahn could be the one pushing Dick out the door [Because He-Cahn] Seriously, where the fuck is Geri Levine? [MISSING OLD GUY ALERT] A slime ball to the rescue [The alleged slime ball killer who may have saved the Cable News Nets] Dick Parsons is very Mayor-esk [Hey you know what? Dick Parsons is very Mayorly] The segregation of CBS Evening News viewers is coming [CBS News wants to segregate it's Evening News viewers] The do's and the dont's for Jeff and Peggy [Jeff and Peggy on their way to super media eliteness]

Today In Judy For President: She is really the Ying to Tom Freston's Yang

We can't say it any clearer. If Viacom boss Tom Freston is serious about bringing the sexy back at Viacom, then he needs to knock on the door of Judy McGrath's office and ask "Will you join me?" installing Judy McGrath as President of Viacom will send a strong message to shareholders that the company is serious about content and the revenue it generates. Sumner Redstone needs to now take a back seat and let the youngsters do what they do. Viacom already took a blow when they let Myspace slip away which is now why Freston and company are on a shopping spree trying to keep Viacom in the cool. It must suck big time to know that, when your MTV audience isn't watching, they're online on a competitor's site discussing the very things you broadcast. Just think of the power Myspace combined with MTV would have??

Are rumors of a Dick Parsons Mayoral run fueling Carl Icahn's share shopping spree

Touching back on the newly revived rumors of Time Warner CEO Dick Parsons' possible run for Mayor of NYC in 09, does Carl Icahn know something for sure that the rest of us think we know? Is it pure coincidence that the corporate thug has been snapping up Time Warner shares like bargain hunters at a fleamarket over the past few months? Did Dick Parsons make some kind of secret deal with Icahn and company to step down as CEO before his contract is up? What is fueling these rumors? "Insiders say that it's all but official he(Parsons) will run". So if this is indeed the case, when will Mr. Parson's hand over the CEO reigns to Jeff Bewkes? We figure early 2007 so he can focus on planning his campaign. Of course with such a major shift at any major media company comes even more questions, like what will a Jeff Bewkes lead Time Warner look like? Will he show his true colors by undoing certain decisions Dick Parsons made, showing that he was just team player but not a believer? Who will he elevate as his number two once Parsons is good and gone? Below are 5 candidates we think would be a perfect fit for Jeff Bewkes's number two. Of course two of them could be long shots: Chris Albrecht- Currently Chairman and CEO, Home Box Office and Bewkes' former hand picked choice to take over HBO when he was pulled up. Ann S. Moore- Currently Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Time Inc. Mel Karmazin- Currently Chairman & CEO of Sirius. However Mel may not be into playing the number two roll again Judy McGrath- Currently Chairwoman and CEO of MTV Networks. Since Tom Freston doesn't see her use above MTV, maybe Jeff Bewkes will. Lachlan Murdoch- Former Deputy COO, Newscorp. The great come back!!! Daddy would surely be pissed and would probably call for an emergency meeting with his lawyers to cut him out of his will.

Morning Wire via NYT: What are you worth Conrad Black? Disney earns, Viacom will remain public

We can't imagine why The New York Times would leave off the word "Embattled" or "Fallen" when referring to Conrad Black as a media barron. Anyway, a judge has upped the bond for Black after finding how much he was really worth.Judge Amy St. Eve of United States District Court in Chicago, who is overseeing Lord Black's coming trial on racketeering and fraud charges, agreed with prosecutors that Lord Black had misrepresented his assets, but denied their request to revoke his bond and put him in jail. [NYT] Disney boss Bobby Iger is all smiles today as his company saw a major increase in profits thanks to movies. While marketing for the movie Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest added to costs, that blockbuster is set to bring a windfall to Disney in the current quarter, having reaped nearly $800 million in box- office sales since it opened on July 7. Disney said net income rose to $1.13 billion, or 53 cents a share, in the fiscal third quarter ended July 1, up from $811 million, or 39 cents a share, a year earlier. We are sure some how some way, some where, former Disney ruler Mike Eisner is taking some credit for this. [NYT] Viacom granddaddy Sumner Redstone killed rumors that he will be taking Viacom off the stock market and take it private to stop the current bleeding of its stock price. "We like the company exactly as it is," Redstone said. "We think it's going to grow tremendously," he said, adding that he believed the stock market had undervalued Viacom shares. No thats not it Mr. Redstone. The stock market is trying to send you a message and it reads "Judy Mcgrath For President" [LAT]

Viacom still making up for Tom Freston's fuck up

Still trying to figure out how in the world they let a good piece of web property like Myspace get into the hands of Rupert Murdoch, Viacom is still trying to get its hands into the online social networking business. "Viacom lost out on a bid for MySpace last year to News Corp, which acquired the portal for $580m, but Bebo represents a second chance for the US-based media giant to match MySpace's phenomenal success. The news follows yesterday's announcement that Viacom finalised a deal with Google to make content available through the search engine giant's network of blogs and websites.Bebo has far fewer users than MySpace, with the company claiming it has 25m registered users worldwide in comparison with MySpace's 100m, but according to Nielsen/NetRatings, it is the UK's second most popular social networking portal behind MySpace, which has 2.7m users. We bet if Judy McGrath had her way, Myspace would have been under the MTV umbrella! Viacom has networking site Bebo in its sights [DB]