Will Tom Freston ever break his silence?

By SDH When Sumner Redstone fired Tom Freston to cover his own short comings on the whole Myspace deal, he sent Tommy off with a sweet $85 million thank you pay out after Tom signed a gag order baring him from talking shit about Redstone and Viacom. But gag orders don’t last for long and it has probably expired already. We know Tom Freston has lots to say about his short stint as CEO of Viacom working directly under Redstone. We would love to hear what really happened with the Myspace.com deal because the talk is that, it was Redstone himself who prevented Tom from moving on the social networking site which would have fit nicely with MTV and its online properties. We think a tell all book is in order. Sumner paid big to keep Tom quiet but people always talk.

Old man Sumner honored and more in our afternoon aggregation

BY SDH Viacom/CBS's immortal leader, Sumner Redstone was honored by the Paley Center for Media and everyone who is anyone was their except for CBS's day to day ruler Les Moonves who was on the west coast tending to some CBS business. Couldn't he have stuck an underling with that and be present to see the boss honored? Not a good look Leslie [HR] What's up with Seagram killer Edgar Bronfman Jr. being investigated for insider trading dating back to his Vivendi Universal days as Executive Vice Chair [AP] MTV Prexy Christina Norman will call it quits at the end of the month to "Have more time for herself" No one just ups and quits if all is well right?. We think MTV is eliminating layers which they have a lot of and Christina was asked to bow out gracefully [B&C] MySpace exec Travis Katz says that more of you will hang out on Myspace while on the go in about 5 years via your mobile device. Funny we thought Myspace would have just become a stain on the major internet wall by then with the next big thing taking away all the fakes and pedophiles [NMA]

MTV announces yet another Yawny! deal to distribute it's content online

-SDH MTV Networks (MTVN) has announced a deal to to expand its online syndication by slapping it's content on websites like Veoh, Dailymotion and others. These deals are so cliche and at this point kinda useless because viewsers can probably see the same shit they're pushing on these sites already. With all the websites MTV owns and operates they still need to do deals like this. Any idiot producing Internet videos can slap his/her content on many of these sites but for MTV ads is king. Greg Clayman, EVP-digital distribution for the cable networks speaks of the deal with caution knowing that its nothing earth shattering. Where in the world is Mika Salmi? each of the partner sites has agreed to carry a branded channel and has committed to marketing that will highlight the channels. Clayman would not discuss or confirm details but I expect MTVN to get at least 70 percent of the ad revenue split with each site. MTVN will sell all of the advertising for its branded channels. Clayman said it’s too early to gauge the results of MTVN’s initial syndication push. MTVN Expands Online Syndication; Deals With Online Video Sites [PC]

And now this morning's worth mentioning media business news

-SDH With all the changes Rupert Murdoch has already made at Dow Jones & Co, like setting up an office for himself there, firing and hiring new people to run the Wall Street Journal, it makes you wonder why in the world a vote if even needed tomorrow. Is it like a ceremonial vote to mark the official transfer of ownership or something? For all we know the Bancrofts are already fighting over their cut of the $5 Billion Rupert paid for the joint. [NYT] The porn guys at Penthouse Media Group are doing the same things the guys are doing at other media companies like News Corp are doing. They are dropping major green on social networking sites to drive business. [NYT] Something called The Competition Commission is pushing for BskyB to cut it's share in ITV from 17.9% to between 5 and 10%. Will James Murdoch, son of Rupert go for that? [MediaGuardian] While it's employees were outside screaming "WE WANT OUR BENEFITS BACK YOU BASTARDS", Viacom/MTV was busy sending out press releases like the once announcing formation of Digital Fusion, a new group that will focus on creating customized cross media campaigns for advertisers [Mediaweek]

The “M” in MTV stands for music, or does it?

-SDH I want my MTV. Do you still want your MTV? Many have been complaining that the cable network lost the “M” many years ago when it dropped it’s mostly music related programming for reality programs like “The Real World”, “Road Rules", “The Hills” and a slew of others. But take a good look at the programming. Has MTV really lost the “M”? A big chunk of the reality shows the network airs or aired were based on individuals in music. Shows like “The Osbournes”, Meet the Barkers”, Making the band 1 2 3 & 4 and more recently the hit “Run’s House”. So based on this, isn’t MTV maintaining the “M”? Some artist have been calling on the network to play more videos, but come on who are we kidding? With today’s many portable media devices, one can watch videos whenever wherever they want. I am a music video fan and I have to say that I don’t sit around to watch videos on shows like “TRL” I head straight for the web where I can watch unlimited music videos of my favorite artists as many times as I want. CONTINUED... Perhaps MTV got wind of millions of other viewers like me, and decided to cut back on the music videos and focus more on original programming. Artist like Justin Timberlake, 50 Cent and others always go out of their way to send MTV public messages to play more music videos but come on, it’s not like they’re watching, and its not like if MTV hardly plays their videos it’s going to hurt their sales. Maybe a few years back but that has changed drastically thanks to people like Steve Jobs. MTV is rolling with what works for them at this stage of their existence, and that's reality programming, after all they are one of the first to start the craze. The company recently revealed that their ratings have jumped for the first time in about 2 years. This jump isn’t due to airing some of today’s crappy music videos, it’s due to the very programming many have publicly reprimanded them for. Shows like “A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila," You know you watch it! To be honest I would rather sit in front of my television and watch interesting and entertaining shows like this than to watch a rock video with the cliché set up with the band in the center of an abandoned warehouse pretending to rock out. Or a cliché rap video, which today is just a 4 minute commercial for Bentley’s, and a 3 minute audition for some scantily clad chick shaking her unmentionables. Some of MTV’s music programming like the once mighty, “Video Music Awards” have fallen off big time. This could be due to their insistence on moving the show from state to state, BIG mistake! Come on guys what the movie business is to Hollywood, the music business is to New York. Can you see the Oscars being broadcasted from Madison Square Garden? I didn’t think so. Two of the worst shows were done in Miami, Followed by one I think in Vegas. The shows home base is here in New York City at the “Radio City Music Hall” or “The Met” During these times the show was a hit. So could this be taken as a sign that even though some viewers are calling on MTV to air more music videos, they really don’t care about music videos? At the end of the day, majority rules and it looks like the majority want’s their reality. Advertisers are more likely to buy ad time around shows like “Tequilla” and “Runs House” than around that stupid “Superman” video being aired via TRL which died when Carson Daly left. My 14 year old cousin watches all his music videos on his video iPod whenever he wants, get my drift? Perhaps some of us are too hung up on the "M" RELATED: SOME WANT THEIR MTV [NYP]

Disturbing the Daumans

-YOSH Sumner Redstone should go easy on Viacom CEO Phil Dauman if he has been slacking off at work and lugging around the Viacom offices on Mondays because he may have a perfectly good reason why. The New York Post reports that every Saturday, a bunch of picketers gather in front of Mr. Dauman's upper east side digs and protests in an effort to get him to cut the violence in rap videos. Guess they forgot to also protest over the violence in movies that Paramount Pictures releases. Perhaps they are saving that for another day. "glorify violence and criminal activity, promote degrading images of women, show negative and stereotypical images of people of color, and portray black and Latino men as pimps, gangsters and thugs." And for a minute there we thought it would have been the pissed off Viacom freelancers making all that noise in Dauman's hood? PICKETS PICK ON MOGUL HOMES [NYP]

Media CEOs love them some facebook & Myspace, but the Blackberry is a given

-MARTY As it turns out, some media CEOs like to chill out in the same place your teenage kids like to chill out too. So it is possible that some accounts on sites like Facebook and Myspace could be the accounts of some of media's power players pretending to be teenage boys and/or girls? Oh man! Wonder who else holds an account on these sites? "I may be the only human being on earth who's on MySpace under his own name and I am on Facebook," said Strauss Zelnick, chairman of Take-Two Interactive Software, the video game company behind Grand Theft Auto. Peter "Ross's Cousin" Levinsohn, head of News Corp's Fox Interactive Media, described such behavior as that of an "uber user" who is on both popular social network sites but uses them toward different ends. MTV Chairwoman Judy McGrath on the other hand is a Blackberry-ist who probably wakes up with the thing stuck to her ass. Media CEOs are Facebook and BlackBerry users [Reuters]

Finding Mika: Where the hell is MTV's President of Global Digital Media Mika Salmi?

-YOSH Talk about staying under the radar. MTV's Prexy of digital media Mika Salmi seems to be a pro at doing so. He sold off his Atom Entertainment to MTV and took over their digital business then fell off the face of the earth. Even recent press releases about digital related deals by MTV don't mention his name. Is this Mika's style of management? Is he one of those who believe that a low profile builds a big profile? Wat has he been up to? Does anyone know? Give us a holla.

And now this morning's worth mentioning media business news

-YOSH Sumner Redstone's Williamsburg Brooklyn Connection Viacom is doing all it can to make sure it keeps it's feet planted in digital media. Thet dumped some cash into a new online network and in return they got 3 guys working out of media lab somewhere in Williamsburg Brooklyn producing digital shorts. But where does Viacom's digital Czar Mika Salmi fit into all this? Did he even have anything to do with this deal? NBC Universal continues to expand it's online presence doggystyle KNOWING that you can never underestimate people’s love for their cats and dogs, NBC Universal and Procter & Gamble have set up a Web portal that looks something like a Yahoo or AOL for pet owners, with a bit of Facebook and MySpace thrown in. The site, Petside.com, offers a full menu of information about dogs and cats, from the serious (how to diagnose your pet’s illnesses) to the silly (funny animal videos). There are links to shopping sites (like Petco.com) and articles about topics like what to do if visitors are allergic to your pet (hint: vacuum). Visitors are encouraged to set up social networking profiles in order to meet other pet owners. In London, Google Skype rumors running wild Is eBay tired of Skype, the online telephony firm already? According to the Guradian's 'The digital content blog" Google is in talks to take the company of eBay's hands for a nice chunk of cash no doubt.

Morning Wire: Someone told MTV and AOL that you care that much about music lyrics, and more in this morning's not so worthy media news

MTV and AOL wants to help you learn your favorite song by providing a new song lyric search service. where do they come up with this shit? [NYP] CNN in second life [NYP] Advertisers will do anything for attention, they are now turning their scopes on people with physical or mental disability via a website called disaboom.com. Soon they will find a way to communicate with your dog. [NYT] Tribune Co and Gannett Co Inc team up all in the name of revenue [Reuters] Martha Stewart living, continues to take Yahoo's left overs [Reuters]

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]

Media fails to remember that Britney gave birth to two kids

-NOEL GESSNER Sure she totally bombed during her performance at the VMA's. Sure her manager Jeff Kwatinetz should also be hung out to dry for allowing his client who clearly wasn't ready to perform. But the media, happy for some news worthy material may be cutting into the popster a little too deep. Some media outlets have been taking stabs at Spears' figure, calling her names that would send any woman who is a woman into her shell. But at the end of the day, Britney Spears has a better body than most women out there who are probably pointing fingers who have never given birth at all. She is being dogged and judged for not having the body she had when she first came out and we say of course not retards. She gave birth to two kids which means her body will probably never go back to what it was. That's just life. But on another note, we have to agree that she may have officially put her career in the shit house.

MTV wants to help you lose your virginity, kinda

-NOEL GESSNER Are you a young man looking to take that step into manhood but you can't land the ideal female partner willing to take the step with you? Then MTV will make it happen for you. No, they won't set it up, but they want to follow you around on your quest to get laid. So you ask how will MTV get me laid? Dude, you will have MTV cameras following you around. You already have it in the bag, the question is which one of the many females who will do anything to get on camera will you chose? From E! Online: MTV is looking for a few good men...who haven’t had sex yet and are willing to admit it.I've learned that the music network is quietly putting together a reality series that will follow a group of young straight men looking to lose their virginity. The first question that comes to my mind, though, is how exactly these men will prove to producers that they've never hit a home run? Along with the usual reality-show background check, producers are apparently just going to take the guy's word for it. Wanted: Young Virgins! [E!]

Nickelodeon just likes to look at your kids even if they're not casting for a new show

We always wondered why a huge operation like Nickelodeon which competes directly with Disney falls under the MTVN umbrella but that's how grandpa Sumner structured his company. The company is part of the huge tween industry, which has been taking this country and the world by storm for years. Nickelodeon holds hundreds of auditions but some of the times they aren't even looking for anyone for anything. Guess they just like to look at tweens just to look at em to get an idea of the current tween trends perhaps? Well if you read through the 6 page feature over at nytimes.com you let us know. -NEIL “We’re seeing kids all the time,” Paula Kaplan, senior vice president of talent at Nickelodeon, told me. “Even when we don’t have a show to cast. We’re meeting kids on a regular basis, just bringing them in, just to see who they are.” Tween on the Screen [NYT]

Media Brief: The last website aimed at men ages 18-34 fell flat on it's ass

-SHOMARI HINES MTV's iFilm and Spike are teaming up to launch some kind of website for men seeking to kill time at work. Not sure what kind of content the new destination will carry but chances are you won't see any "Sweet 16" clips on there. Time inc took a run at the same demographic with OfficePirates.com but fell, tripped and bust its lips right out the gate. Lets hope MTV digital czar Mika Salmi and his minions will avoid that kind of mess. IFILM AND SPIKETV.COM, BOTH DIVISIONS of MTV Networks, will team up to create a Web platform for men 18-34 under the Spike brand. This new integration among the MTVN Entertainment Group properties marries iFILM's online viral video presence with Spike TV's broadband and TV assets. The newly created iFILM/spiketv.com group will report to Erik Flannigan, senior vice president, digital media, MTVN Entertainment Group. [Source: Mediapost]

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

Is Mika Salmi, behind Viacom's beef with Youtube?

Going their own way since parent company Viacom yanked all its content of Youtube's tubes, MTV digital prexy Mike Salmi is already whoring MTV's websites by letting users have their way with content. Makes us wonder if Mika is the brains behind Viacom's recent outburst with Youtube. Mika, lets hope this one hits big with MTVers and other entertainment content addicts, because if not, its only a matter of time before you kiss and make up with Chad Hurley. “We need to open up our Web sites and content both for consumers and for other companies,” Mika Salmi, MTV Networks’ president of global digital media, told Reuters, which said the move was “part of a strategy to bring Viacom’s Web sites up to ‘Web 2.0’ standards.” If so, it is a new strategy. For most of its history, the MTV sites have been anything but open. Until recently, clips from Comedy Central were available only to those using the Internet Explorer browser, and Macintosh users who wanted to watch a video on VH1’s VSpot broadband service were out of luck. And even now, trying to find a clip from, say, “The Daily Show” often requires an infuriating amount of searching and drilling down through several clicks. And forget about sending your friend a link directly to the video — it cannot be done. Sharing the Wealth at MTV [NYT]

Life after MTV looking good for Nicholas Butterworth, until they buy him back

Nicholas Butterworth a former MTV web exec is cutting his piece out of the online video pie via the launch of SnowVision.com a new online video outlet for snowboarding enthusiasts. However we won't be surprised if Nick lands right back into the MTV fold being that Snowvision fits right in with the MTV brand and audience. We can't wait to see idiots putting themselves in danger. Snowvision is aimed at both snowboarding enthusiasts and semi-professionals. The site features video highlights from major snowboarding events, such as SIA 2007 trade show and the Legendary Mount Baker Banked Slalom, along with interviews with prominent snowboarding personalities. Ex-MTV Exec's Diversion Launches Snowvision.com [MediaWeek]

Do They Still Want Their MTV? Yeah but hold the Sweet Sixteens, Bam Margeras etc...

There is no doubt that MTV, the cable network you grew up with is in a midlife crisis at the age of 25. Over the years the network has shifted from music television to reality television, pushing off most of its music programming on spin offs like MTV2. Now the cable net is attempting to play a game of catch up. Regardless of it's flashy website properties, MTV lost big when the sale of Myspace went to News Corp. When that happened MTV found itself in a spot where instead of them owning a site which is flooded by MTVers, where they could have their way with them, they had to now fight even harder to attract those eyes. On top of their web failures, nobody seems to be watching anymore. In an article in this morning's New York Times, David Carr, the man who hated on the New Observer, takes us inside on where they fell off and what they are doing to get back up again, topped with the usual overzealous executive quotes. As a brand, MTV has been beyond durable, managing to reinvent itself continuously and in doing so presenting a fast-moving target that left many would-be rivals in its wake. Shows like MTV’s “Real World” deserve much of the credit, or blame, for demonstrating that reality can make for compelling viewing. But finding the edge was simpler before competition for its core demographic started coming from all fronts, from video games and social-networking Web sites to amateur clips on YouTube. And consumers can use the Web to come up with their own reality narratives — the current transformation of Britney Spears from pop superstar to bald alien is pretty tough for anyone to compete with. Do They Still Want Their MTV? [NYT]

MTV Prexy Christina Norman will let the TRL gang keep their jobs for now

We will get to hear fake screams and wooooz for some time to come according to a long ass email sent to the remaining MTV troops from MTV Prexy Christina "Chris" Norman via our friends in our heads at Gawker. As all of you know by now, MTV, along with several of our other MTV Networks brands, have made some organizational changes this week. It's never easy to make changes that result in good people leaving, and I want to let everyone know that none of these decisions were made hastily. These tough choices have been made in order to align our business priorities with our organizational resources, streamline and consolidate some areas within our structure and allow us to invest more assets in key growth areas. And while I know that these past few days have been personally hard for all of us, I also know that MTV still holds a unique place in the lives of young people everywhere. MORE... Across all our screens, we are creating places where young people are inspired and entertained. That's been our mission since day one and it's what all of you, with your passion and dedication, make happen every day. Because there have been a lot of rumors and speculation, I wanted you to hear from me directly about the changes at our brand. We've decided to consolidate the operations of MTV2 within MTV, and many of the hard-working production and development people of MTV2 will be leaving the organization. The MTV2 that you all know and love will still be there - packed 24 hours a day with the music and shows that its young male viewers love. I'm proud of all that the MTV2 team has contributed to its creative and ratings successes. They are leaving behind a great legacy and we are eternally grateful to them. There has never been a more passionate team than those at MTV World. Unfortunately, the premium distribution model proved more challenging than we anticipated in this competitive environment and we've made the incredibly difficult decision to cease operations of the MTV World channels and says goodbye to these dedicated professionals. Creating programming for multi-cultural youth remains a priority for us and are looking for ways to integrate the MTV Desi, Chi and K brands online and on our other screens. The responsibilities formerly handled by the Music Marketing and Program Promotions departments will be absorbed by a newly streamlined marketing area that consists of the on-air promotions, off and on-air design and online marketing teams. We're still committed to many of the initiatives this group has built and getting our message to the audience is more important than ever. I know that under the current creative leadership, the department will find new ways to connect with our audience. We also made the tough decision to streamline our production process as well as personnel in our studio. TRL will air as always - and we'll continue to bring our audience the celebs they love and special weeks like Spankin New and much more -- but we will now operate more efficiently downstairs. In this fast-paced news environment, it became essential to have the News & News Online teams operate as one team rather than two. This move will more effectively allow our award winning news teams to continue to break and report on music, culture, politics, and hard-hitting issues. Regrettably, the MTV Docs department has also been affected but I know that the incredibly strong team who remain will continue to bring engaging, hit documentary series to MTV. Unfortunately, we also had to say goodbye to some longstanding colleagues in the Production Events department. The way in which we produce our big events has evolved over the years and this meant that we did not need a full-time production events team, but they will remain on through June to help us make the Movie Awards the fun, dynamic event it has always been. Our Program Planning & Scheduling team has probably the hardest job of any media company in the industry given that we have so many screens on which we program content. As this department's job has evolved, we had to take a hard look at how we could operate here more efficiently. We will be working with the Program Planning & Scheduling team to prioritize and assist with this transition and ensure that viewers still get our content everywhere they want it - from MTV to MTV2 to mtvU to to mtv tr3s to mtv.com to MTV Mobile to VOD. It's never easy to say goodbye to dedicated and talented people and I encourage you all to reach out and wish them the best in their future endeavors. They contributed so much to MTV and we're all lucky to have worked with them. Despite the fact that we're making reductions in some areas, MTV has much more room to grow as a company and we need to ensure that we're investing in the areas that afford us the greatest capacity for future growth. So, we will be building resources against some other areas, such as linear programming, our interactive properties and some of our emerging and burgeoning networks like MTV tr3s and mtvU. I know I couldn't have possibly answered everyone's questions in one email, and please know I am looking to schedule some time for all of us to get together as an organization soon, but in the meantime, I hope this helped to address and clarify some of the buzz in the hallways, on the web and in the papers. Should you have immediate issues or questions, always know you can also reach out to your managers as well. Change is never easy, and I thank you for your patience, kindness and compassion during this time. I need your creativity, passion and innovation more than ever as we embark on the next great era for MTV, representing and reflecting young people. Somewhere, someone is meeting MTV for the first time. Together, let's redefine what they'll see. Christina

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]

Phil Dauman to Youtube: Fuck Off!

Viacom is showing Youtube that it can do this video sharing thing on its own. Viacom CEO Phil Dauman ended the company's relationship with Youtube after ordering them to remove Viacom content from the site. Many think that order came after Viacom was told they won't be able to control their content. But Viacom has found a solution. The company now allows videos on its websites like ComedyCentral.com to be embedded in other websites. They will also keep control of the content. But will video hounds prefer scrolling through Viacom's many websites for videos over going to one main source for all videos? Perhaps Viacom should launch a website which will house all their video content. But even then they wouldn't be able to budge Youtube. However for some reason we don't think that's Viacom's goal at all. Viacom has allowed the embedding of Comedy Central clips for a few months, and the pilot program was apparently successful enough to be deployed further. The company has made no secret of its antipathy toward the YouTube business model, and its desire to be well compensated for any video clips appearing there. Despite the current hostility, Google and Viacom actually did a video deal back in August 2006. Google agreed to distribute ad-supported video clips from MTV Networks through its AdSense network. "Collaborating with Google gives us a terrific opportunity to take our content and distribute it even more widely on the web in a seamless and targeted way," said Tom Freston, Viacom's CEO, at the time. "This deal fits in perfectly with our strategy to deliver the best content to our audiences—wherever they are. We're very happy to be working with Google, a true innovator in content distribution." Viacom to YouTube: We'll host our own videos, thanks [Ars Tech]

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

MTV continues to buy any website they can get their hands on

We don't know but MTV seems to be grabbing any website with young users they can get their hands on. This is a result of parent company Viacom missing the Myspace boat which resulted in the firing of then CEO Tom Freston. See Viacom/MTV will do anything right now to be relevant in the online community and this means launching and/or buying dozens of websites. Their latest conquer, RateMyProfessors.com. "This acquisition reflects MTV's strategy of being everywhere our audience is and harnessing its creative firepower -- in this case the millions of ratings generated by students on RateMyProfessors.com," said Christina Norman, president of MTV, which is owned by Viacom Inc. MTV said the deal is expected to close during the current quarter. Christina, don't you mean selling ads where MTV's audience is? MTV Acquires Professor-Rating Web Site [AP]

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

The Wolf on his way out for real

It's Official, Viacam killed two birds with one stone. Following the exit of Paramount Prexy Gail Berman, MTV Networks number two Michael Wolf has left 1515 Broadway. If Jessica Reif Cohen gave Viacom a negative for Berman leaving, we can only imagine what they will get now. Wolf's departure, expected in February, comes a day after one of Hollywood's most powerful woman, Gail Berman, resigned as president of Viacom's Paramount Pictures after less than two years on the job. "We accomplished everything we set out to do together, restructuring our ad sales, affiliate sales and marketing businesses for the multiplatform world by bringing digital sales expertise and expanding the reach of our distribution strategy to include VOD (video on demand), wireless and Internet partners," MTV Networks CEO Judy McGrath said in a statement. MTV president resigns in latest Viacom shake-up [Reuters]

Viacom continues to bleed