Difference between revisions of "Viacom"

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"One of the largest global media empires, '''Viacom''' has a financial interest in broadcast and cable television, radio, Internet, book publishing, and film production and distribution. Some of this vertically integrated conglomerate's highly recognizable properties include the CBS network, MTV, Infinity broadcasting, Simon & Schuster, Blockbuster and Paramount Pictures. With such a diverse portfolio of properties, Viacom is one of the most profitable media giants as CBS is a top draw for older viewers while MTV remains the most popular teen orientated media outlet." --[http://www.cjr.org/tools/owners/viacom.asp Columbia Journalism Review]
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'''Viacom''' "is a leading [[media]] conglomerate with an extensive portfolio of cable TV and film production assets. Its [[MTV]] Networks unit runs such cable networks as Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, and the family of MTV channels (MTV, MTV2, VH1). Viacom also owns [[Black Entertainment Television]], which airs programming on BET, BET Gospel, and BET Hip Hop. In the film business, Viacom operates through Paramount Pictures, which includes the DreamWorks imprint. Chairman [[Sumner Redstone]] controls a majority of Viacom through his [[National Amusements]] movie theater chain."
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<ref>[http://www.hoovers.com/viacom/--ID__143020--/free-co-factsheet.xhtml Viacom Profile], ''Hoovers'', accessed July 2007.</ref>
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At the end of 2005 [[CBS]] was separated from Viacom. Viacom Chairman Sumner Redstone still has more than 70% voting control over CBS through his National Amusements cinema chain.
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<ref>[http://www.viacom.com/INVESTOR%20RELATIONS/SEPARATION%20FROM%20CBS/default.aspx CBS Separation], Viacom, accessed July 2007.</ref>
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<ref>[http://www.hoovers.com/cbs-corp/--ID__12435--/free-co-factsheet.xhtml CBS Profile], ''Hoovers'', accessed July 2007.</ref>
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==Background==
  
 
During 2003-4, Viacom refused to run advertisements of [[MoveOn]].org [http://www.mediachannel.org/views/dissector/affalert131.shtml], [http://progressivetrail.org/articles/040117Karr.shtml], [http://truthout.org/docs_04/011904I.shtml]
 
During 2003-4, Viacom refused to run advertisements of [[MoveOn]].org [http://www.mediachannel.org/views/dissector/affalert131.shtml], [http://progressivetrail.org/articles/040117Karr.shtml], [http://truthout.org/docs_04/011904I.shtml]
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*In February 2003, the grass-roots advocacy group-solicited donations from its email members to raise $75,000 to place an anti-war ad on billboards in four major American markets. The group claims that they raised the amount from members in two hours. When they approached Viacom Outdoor -- a division of Viacom and the largest outdoor-advertising entity in North America -- the company refused to post the ads, according to MoveOn.
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*In February 2003, the grass-roots advocacy group-solicited donations from its email members to raise $75,000 to place an anti-war ad on billboards in four major American markets. The group claims that they raised the amount from members in two hours. When they approached Viacom Outdoor -- a division of Viacom and the largest outdoor-[[advertising]] entity in North America -- the company refused to post the ads, according to MoveOn.
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*In March 2003 MTV, another Viacom-owned entity, refused to accept a commercial opposing war in Iraq, citing a similar policy against advocacy spots that it says protects the channel from having to run ads from any cash-rich interest group whose cause may be loathsome. The youth-oriented music station regularly airs recruitment ads for the U.S. Army.
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*In March 2003 MTV, another Viacom-owned entity, refused to accept a commercial opposing war in [[Iraq]], citing a similar policy against advocacy spots that it says protects the channel from having to run ads from any cash-rich interest group whose cause may be loathsome. The youth-oriented music station regularly airs recruitment ads for the U.S. Army.
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*In January 2004, CBS rejected a request from MoveOn to air, during the forthcoming SuperBowl event, a 30-second ad that criticizes the Bush administration's run-up of the federal deficit, saying that it violated the network's policy against accepting "advocacy advertising" [sic].
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*In January 2004, [[CBS]] rejected a request from MoveOn to air, during the forthcoming SuperBowl event, a 30-second ad that criticizes the Bush administration's run-up of the federal deficit, saying that it violated the network's policy against accepting "advocacy advertising" [sic].
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**At the same time, CBS is allowing ads placed on the docket by the White House's anti-drug office. According to Adage.com, Super Bowl 2004 will also include product spots for AOL, Bayer and GlaxoSmithKline, Daimler Chrysler, FedEx, FritoLay, GM, H&R Block, Monster WorldWide, the NFL, Pepsi Cola, Philip Morris, Procter & Gamble, Sony Pictures, Touchstone Pictures, Universal Studios, Visa USA, and Warner Brothers.
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**At the same time, CBS is allowing ads placed on the docket by the White House's anti-drug office. According to Adage.com, Super Bowl 2004 will also include product spots for [[AOL]], [[Bayer]] and [[GlaxoSmithKline]], [[DaimlerChrysler]], [[FedEx]], FritoLay, [[GM]], [[H&R Block]], Monster WorldWide, the NFL, [[PepsiCo|Pepsi Cola]], [[Philip Morris]], [[Procter & Gamble]], [[Sony]] Pictures, Touchstone Pictures, Universal Studios, [[Visa]] USA, and Warner Brothers.
  
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== External Resources ==
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==Political contributions==
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*'''Corporate Website''' [http://viacom.com/ viacom.com] with links to its subsidiaries and components
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Viacom gave $149,000 to federal candidates in the 2006 election cycle through its [[political action committee]] -  37% to [[Democrats]] and 63% to [[Republican Party (USA)|Republicans]].
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*[http://www.openairwaves.org/telecom/analysis/default.aspx?action=org&ID=8027 Profile at openairwaves.org]
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<ref>[http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/lookup2.asp?strID=C00167759&cycle=2006 2006 PAC Summary Data], ''Open Secrets'', accessed July 2007.</ref>
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*[http://www.cjr.org/tools/owners/viacom-timeline.asp Viacom Corporate Timeline] at CJR
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==Lobbying==
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''Open Secrets'' gives the total [[lobbying]] expenses in 2006 for Viacom plus CBS as $6,915,000.
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<ref>[http://www.opensecrets.org/lobbyists/clientsum.asp?txtname=Viacom+Inc&year=2006 Viacom lobbying expenses], ''Open Secrets.''</ref>
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==Personnel==
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Key executives with 2007 pay:<ref>[http://finance.yahoo.com/q/pr?s=VIA-B Viacom Key Executives], ''Yahoo Finance'', accessed July 2007.</ref>
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*[[Sumner M. Redstone]], Founder and Executive Chairman, $16,436,125 (also exercised $28,904,000 in options)<ref>[http://www.forbes.com/finance/mktguideapps/personinfo/FromPersonIdPersonTearsheet.jhtml?passedPersonId=1114305 Sumner M Redstone], ''Forbes'', accessed April 2008.</ref>
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*[[Philippe P. Dauman]], Chief Executive Officer, President, $11,190,049<ref>[http://www.forbes.com/finance/mktguideapps/personinfo/FromPersonIdPersonTearsheet.jhtml?passedPersonId=1108863 Philippe P Dauman], ''Forbes'', accessed April 2008.</ref>
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*[[Tom Dooley]], Chief Financial Officer, Senior Executive Vice President, $2,400,000 (2006)
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*[[Michael D. Fricklas]], Executive Vice President, $4,100,079<ref>[http://www.forbes.com/finance/mktguideapps/personinfo/FromPersonIdPersonTearsheet.jhtml?passedPersonId=1110682 Michael D Fricklas], ''Forbes'', accessed April 2008.</ref>
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*[[Judy McGrath]], Chairman of MTV Networks and CEO of MTV Networks
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Selected board members:
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<ref>[http://www.viacom.com/ABOUT%20VIACOM/BOARD%20OF%20DIRECTORS/default.aspx Board of Directors], Viacom, accessed July 2007.</ref>
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*[[Shari Redstone]], Non-Executive Vice Chair of the Board
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*[[Robert K. Kraft]], Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The [[Kraft]] Group, which includes the New England Patriots
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*[[Frederic V. Salerno]], Retired Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of [[Verizon]]  
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==Contact details==
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1515 Broadway<br>
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New York, NY 10036<br>
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Phone: 212-258-6000<br>
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Fax: 212-258-6464<br>
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Web: http://www.viacom.com
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==References==
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<references />
  
 
== SourceWatch Resources ==
 
== SourceWatch Resources ==
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*[[media control]]
 
*[[media control]]
 
*[[media reform]]
 
*[[media reform]]
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*[[TV Watch]]
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*[[Ellen V. Futter]] - former board member
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*[[Ralph Baruch]]
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== External Resources ==
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*'''Corporate Website''' [http://viacom.com/ viacom.com] with links to its subsidiaries and components
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*[http://www.openairwaves.org/telecom/analysis/default.aspx?action=org&ID=8027 Profile at openairwaves.org]
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*[http://www.cjr.org/tools/owners/viacom-timeline.asp Viacom Corporate Timeline] at CJR
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[[Category:Advertising]][[Category:Corporations]][[Category:Media]][[Category:Television]]
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[[Category:United States]]

Latest revision as of 21:41, 20 October 2012

Viacom "is a leading media conglomerate with an extensive portfolio of cable TV and film production assets. Its MTV Networks unit runs such cable networks as Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, and the family of MTV channels (MTV, MTV2, VH1). Viacom also owns Black Entertainment Television, which airs programming on BET, BET Gospel, and BET Hip Hop. In the film business, Viacom operates through Paramount Pictures, which includes the DreamWorks imprint. Chairman Sumner Redstone controls a majority of Viacom through his National Amusements movie theater chain." [1]

At the end of 2005 CBS was separated from Viacom. Viacom Chairman Sumner Redstone still has more than 70% voting control over CBS through his National Amusements cinema chain. [2] [3]

Background

During 2003-4, Viacom refused to run advertisements of MoveOn.org [1], [2], [3]

  • In February 2003, the grass-roots advocacy group-solicited donations from its email members to raise $75,000 to place an anti-war ad on billboards in four major American markets. The group claims that they raised the amount from members in two hours. When they approached Viacom Outdoor -- a division of Viacom and the largest outdoor-advertising entity in North America -- the company refused to post the ads, according to MoveOn.
  • In March 2003 MTV, another Viacom-owned entity, refused to accept a commercial opposing war in Iraq, citing a similar policy against advocacy spots that it says protects the channel from having to run ads from any cash-rich interest group whose cause may be loathsome. The youth-oriented music station regularly airs recruitment ads for the U.S. Army.
  • In January 2004, CBS rejected a request from MoveOn to air, during the forthcoming SuperBowl event, a 30-second ad that criticizes the Bush administration's run-up of the federal deficit, saying that it violated the network's policy against accepting "advocacy advertising" [sic].

Political contributions

Viacom gave $149,000 to federal candidates in the 2006 election cycle through its political action committee - 37% to Democrats and 63% to Republicans. [4]

Lobbying

Open Secrets gives the total lobbying expenses in 2006 for Viacom plus CBS as $6,915,000. [5]

Personnel

Key executives with 2007 pay:[6]

Selected board members: [10]

Contact details

1515 Broadway
New York, NY 10036
Phone: 212-258-6000
Fax: 212-258-6464
Web: http://www.viacom.com

References

  1. ↑ Viacom Profile, Hoovers, accessed July 2007.
  2. ↑ CBS Separation, Viacom, accessed July 2007.
  3. ↑ CBS Profile, Hoovers, accessed July 2007.
  4. ↑ 2006 PAC Summary Data, Open Secrets, accessed July 2007.
  5. ↑ Viacom lobbying expenses, Open Secrets.
  6. ↑ Viacom Key Executives, Yahoo Finance, accessed July 2007.
  7. ↑ Sumner M Redstone, Forbes, accessed April 2008.
  8. ↑ Philippe P Dauman, Forbes, accessed April 2008.
  9. ↑ Michael D Fricklas, Forbes, accessed April 2008.
  10. ↑ Board of Directors, Viacom, accessed July 2007.

SourceWatch Resources

External Resources

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