Judith McGrath, Chief of MTV, Resigns

BILL CARTER The New York Times 05/05/2011 19:10

MTV Networks announced Thursday that its chairman and chief executive, Judy McGrath, was resigning. The surprising change at the top comes at a time when MTV is riding a surge in both ratings for its programs and profits for its parent company, Viacom.

Viacom said Ms. McGrath had decided it was a perfect time to leave to pursue other ventures, although those ventures were not named. She leaves at time when the company has ascended to a new peak of success, with programs like “Jersey Shore” and “Teen Mom” on MTV, “SpongeBob SquarePants” on Nickelodeon, and Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert on Comedy Central.

Ms. McGrath declined interviews, as did Philippe Dauman, the Viacom president.

In a statement, Ms. McGrath did not cite any reason for her decision, saying that she was leaving “with pride, joy and gratitude for the ride of a lifetime.” Mr. Dauman, also in a statement, said, “We respect her decision and understand her desire to leave at the very top of her game.”

Viacom also announced that Ms. McGrath’s position would be eliminated.

The three top executives who reported to Ms. McGrath — Doug Herzog, the president of the MTV Networks Entertainment Group, Van Toffler, the president of MTV’s Music and Logo Group and Cyma Zarghami, the president of MTV Networks Kids and Family Group — will now report directly to Mr. Dauman.

Source

Add your comment Send Print Report