Viacom poaches Worldwide exec as Asia boss

Viacom International Media Networks has recruited Mark Whitehead as executive VP and managing director of its Asian business.

He will replace Indra Suharjono, who is leaving the company at the end of June.

Whitehead, who will start in the new role in August, joins Viacom from BBC Worldwide, where he has been senior VP and general manager, southeast Asia, since 2009.

Viacom’s new recruit will report directly to VIMN CEO and president Bob Bakish who said: “We’re confident that Mark’s clear strategic vision and leadership will be invaluable assets as we take our businesses and brands in Asia to the next level. I also want to thank Indra for her many contributions to the company over the past nine years, which have set us up for our next phase of growth.”

VIMN’s channel portfolio in Asia includes MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr. and Comedy Central. Whitehead will oversee these in China, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore.

Prior to Worldwide, Whitehead was at Discovery and Turner. He joined the BBC’s commercial arm in March 2009.