Sumner Redstone's had a little upheaval in recent weeks. First, he had to *fire* megastar Tom Cruise from Paramount Studios since the movie star's recent antics and erratic public behavior has made him a little less appealing to major studios. Although Cruise's agency says the star *fired* Paramount, everyone has super-inflated egos to protect.
Now, Redstone's lost the CEO of the company he chairs, Viacom. Former CEO Tom Freston -- one of the founders of MTV -- has resigned as of today, according to Viacom. He has been replaced already by industry veteran Philippe Dauman, who has held various executive positions as Viacom in recent years, and who heads up DND Capital Partners, LLC, a media and entertainment investment firm. No word on the specific reasons why (yet), but at 60, perhaps Freston just felt it was time.
Along with Dauman, Viacom also named Thomas E. Dooley to the newly created position of senior executive vice president and chief administrative officer. Dooley also co-heads the DND Capital Partners firm with Dauman, so this pair of executives should be able to aptly take the reigns of Viacom, which owns various media properties like MTV, VH1, Comedy Central and the Paramount movie studio, and competes with industry giants like Sony and Time Warner, among others.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-05-2006 @ 9:49AM
Gary E. Sattler said...
Well, I guess I'll attach my comments to Mr. White's article, as it's at the top here and I have other things to get done today.
I just finished reading the comments on the economic indicators piece (see most commented on at right).
It should surprise no one that we are living in a country in dismay. I won't outline the problems. You all know, much too well, what they are.
I have to admit that I voted Republican this past election cycle. I admit that with a bit of shame. Had I known Mr. Bush was such a boor, I may have thought better with my ballot. I don't disagree with everything the current administration has done, but neither shall I condone much of it.
There's a course that America can take, with out a lot of fuss, which would reestablish our pride and preeminence. If you have the time, I'll entertain you with my vision.
First and foremost, forget the WTO ever existed. They're a bunch of blow hard bankers who think they have something to say. They think they have control. When we're all starved and dead out here, in the end, they have nothing. Put it to rest fellas. Soon no one will listen. Mr. Bush tried to tell them about how we were going to start manufacturing steel again. They showed him a flash card with the word tariff on it. He wet his pants and backed down. James Hoffa remained silent. (I want to talk to you "son of Jimmy".)
We need to neutralize our currency exchange rate with Canada and begin to work in tandem. We have largely ignored the vast potential of our neighbor to the north. If we continue to ignore them, we'll continue to pay the price.
We need to continually push for the invitation of Mexico to the Union. They already own California and most of Texas anyway! If I'm not mistaken, Vincente Fox is now a past tense news story. Let's reunite our Amigos with their families and put this immigration thing to rest. Besides, it would make for a much easier southern border to protect.
Last item, (I have to get the baby up, she's yellin').
We must immediatley inform China that unless they undertake DRASTIC change in advancing protection of their environment and social freedoms, we will deny them acces to our markets.( Again I say WTO be damned.) We, (or I), have no problem if they want to compete honestly in a world economy. That's what it's all about right? But, if they continue to exploit there own resources and populace in pursuit of operating capitol to build a manufacturing mega-monster, we aren't going to paddle across the pond to pull their sorry butts out of the mess they're setting themselves up for. Remember Tianamen Square?
Everthing requires balance sometime.
I have to go, that baby's not happy!
My Love to America!
Gary E. Sattler
Laus Deo