Vice TV president Morgan Hertzan stepping down, with Pete Gaffney named interim chief

Morgan Hertzan (Source: Vice Media)

Further changes are underway at Vice Media, with president of global TV, Morgan Hertzan, set to exit next week, and Pete Gaffney lined up to replace him in the interim.

Hertzan’s departure was announced in a memo to staff this week by Vice Media Group CEO Bruce Dixon, who became sole CEO after his counterpart Hozefa Lokhandwala stepped down late last year. It comes at a time of big change at the embattled company, with Dixon revealing in February that “several hundred” employees were to be let go.

Hertzan will exit on 12 April for an unspecified new opportunity, following five years at Vice, first as EVP and general manager of Vice TV, before being promoted to president of global TV in 2022.

During his time at Vice, Hertzan launched and oversaw the Dark Side franchise, beginning with wrestling-themed Dark Side Of The Ring and expanding to include shows such as Dark Side Of Football and Dark Side Of Comedy.

Gangs Of London (Source: Pulse Films)

Vice TV growth

“Morgan has done a terrific job growing Vice Television over the past five years, and I want to thank him for his leadership,” wrote Dixon in the memo, noting that the network is up 6% in prime ratings in the 18-49 demo.

“Vice TV remains an important part of our business, and I am excited about the great projects in the pipeline – two of which we will announce later this month – and the opportunities that lie ahead for us at Vice,” added Dixon.

In his own note to colleagues, Hertzan wrote that: “I know Vice TV will continue to create original content that does not hide from the hard truths, the vital conversations, and that Vice-y fearless point of view. Although I am pursuing a new chapter, I look forward to tuning in and cheering you on. I will always be your biggest fan.”

He also praised interim replacement Gaffney as a pair of “good and trusted hands”. Gaffney, who previously served as SVP of content strategy and program scheduling has 25 years of TV industry experience, including the past five spent at Vice.

“I am confident that Pete will continue to grow the business with a focus on producing the type of creative, innovative programming for which Vice is known,” wrote Dixon.

Nancy Dubuc

“Critical restructuring”

Vice has been fighting for survival for close to two years, with senior staffers including CEO Nancy Dubuc exiting in February 2023 as attempts to sell the business failed.

It was eventually sold to former lenders Fortress Investment Group, Soros Fund Management and Monroe Capital in June last year, following the company’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Former Miramax CEO Michael Lang was then named interim executive chairman in December to help lead the “critical restructuring” at the company.

Vice Media Group is, at present, home to UK-based Gangs Of London producer Pulse Films, as well as the Vice TV network, the Vice Studios film & TV unit, a distribution arm, Refinery29, agency Carrot Creative and fashion title i-D.