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Pierluigi Gazzolo

Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) has appointed existing chief operating officer Pierluigi Gazzolo as president of its Americas division.

Gazzolo has been interim managing director for VIMN Americas since July alongside his role as chief operating officer of VIMN. He now moves to Miami to take up the Americas role on a dedicated basis, however he will retain his role as Nickelodeon brand lead for all markets outside the US.

Reporting to VIMN president and CEO Bob Bakish, Gazzolo will take responsibility for VIMN’s operations across Latin America, South America and Canada.

He will oversee the ongoing expansion of VIMN’s portfolio of TV channels, including the newly launched Paramount Channel in the region, and increased investment in original local productions for MTV, Nickelodeon and Comedy Central.

VIMN is also growing its non-linear, multiplatform presence in the region through products and services like the Nick App.

“Pier has been an outstanding leader within our business for a number of years, and I’m thrilled he will now be focusing his talent and experience on the vitally important role of overseeing the Americas’ business full-time,” said Bakish.

“Prior to becoming COO, he was instrumental in establishing our business across the Americas and setting it on a path to growth.  He is returning to take charge of a much larger operation that still has significant scope to expand.”

VIMN is currently searching for Gazzolo’s replacement as COO – a role which he had held since January 2011.