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"One of the largest global media empires, '''Viacom''' has "is a financial interest in broadcast leading [[media]] conglomerate with an extensive portfolio of cable TV and film production assets. Its [[MTV]] Networks unit runs such cable televisionnetworks as Comedy Central, radioNickelodeon, Internetand the family of MTV channels (MTV, book publishingMTV2, and film production and distributionVH1). Some of this vertically integrated conglomerate's highly recognizable properties include the Viacom also owns [[CBSBlack Entertainment Television]] network, MTVwhich airs programming on BET, Infinity broadcastingBET Gospel, Simon & Schusterand BET Hip Hop. In the film business, Blockbuster and Viacom operates through Paramount Pictures, which includes the DreamWorks imprint. With such Chairman [[Sumner Redstone]] controls a diverse portfolio majority of properties, Viacom is one of the most profitable media giants as through his [[CBSNational Amusements]] is a top draw for older viewers while MTV remains the most popular teen orientated media outletmovie theater chain." <ref>[http://www.hoovers.com/viacom/--ID__143020--/free-co-factsheet.xhtml Viacom Profile], ''Hoovers'', accessed July 2007.</ref> 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.<ref>[http://www.cjrviacom.orgcom/INVESTOR%20RELATIONS/SEPARATION%20FROM%20CBS/default.aspx CBS Separation], Viacom, accessed July 2007.</ref><ref>[http://toolswww.hoovers.com/ownerscbs-corp/viacom--ID__12435--/free-co-factsheet.asp Columbia Journalism Reviewxhtml CBS Profile] , ''Hoovers'', accessed July 2007.</ref> ==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] *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]. **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[[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. == External Resources 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 [[Republican Party (USA)|Republicans]].<ref>[http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/lookup2.asp?strID=C00167759&cycle=2006 2006 PAC Summary Data], ''Open Secrets'', accessed July 2007.</ref> ==Lobbying== *''Open Secrets'Corporate Website'gives the total [[lobbying]] expenses in 2006 for Viacom plus CBS as $6,915,000.<ref>[http://www.opensecrets.org/lobbyists/clientsum.asp?txtname=Viacom+Inc&year=2006 Viacom lobbying expenses], ''Open Secrets.'' </ref> ==Personnel==Key executives with 2007 pay:<ref>[http://viacomfinance.yahoo.com/ viacomq/pr?s=VIA-B Viacom Key Executives], ''Yahoo Finance'', accessed July 2007.</ref>*[[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] with links to its subsidiaries and components , ''Forbes'', accessed April 2008.</ref>*[[Philippe P. Dauman]], Chief Executive Officer, President, $11,190,049<ref>[http://www.openairwavesforbes.orgcom/finance/telecommktguideapps/analysispersoninfo/defaultFromPersonIdPersonTearsheet.aspxjhtml?actionpassedPersonId=org&ID=8027 Profile at openairwaves1108863 Philippe P Dauman], ''Forbes'', accessed April 2008.org</ref>*[[Tom Dooley]] , Chief Financial Officer, Senior Executive Vice President, $2,400,000 (2006)*[[Michael D. Fricklas]], Executive Vice President, $4,100,079<ref>[http://www.cjrforbes.orgcom/finance/toolsmktguideapps/ownerspersoninfo/FromPersonIdPersonTearsheet.jhtml?passedPersonId=1110682 Michael D Fricklas], ''Forbes'', accessed April 2008.</ref>*[[Judy McGrath]], Chairman of MTV Networks and CEO of MTV Networks  Selected board members:<ref>[http://www.viacom.com/ABOUT%20VIACOM/BOARD%20OF%20DIRECTORS/default.aspx Board of Directors], Viacom, accessed July 2007.</ref>*[[Shari Redstone]], Non-timelineExecutive Vice Chair of the Board*[[Robert K. Kraft]], Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The [[Kraft]] Group, which includes the New England Patriots *[[Frederic V.asp Viacom Corporate TimelineSalerno]], Retired Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of [[Verizon]] at CJR ==Contact details==1515 Broadway<br>New York, NY 10036<br>Phone: 212-258-6000<br>Fax: 212-258-6464<br>Web: http://www.viacom.com ==References==<references /> == SourceWatch Resources == *[[echo chamber]] *[[globalization]] *[[media control]]