Three executives will jointly run Paramount’s international business in Annecchino’s absence.
Paramount Global has announced that Raffaele Annecchino will be on leave from his post as President and Chief Executive Officer of International Networks, Studios and Streaming.
Regional executives JC Acosta, President of International Studios, Streaming and Networks for Southern Europe, Latin America, Middle East and Africa; Maria Kyriacou, President of Australia, Canada, Israel and UK; and Mark Specht, Executive VP and Managing Director of Central and Northern Europe and Asia will step in to cover for Annecchino.
Annecchino has held a number of positions across Paramount Global and its predecessors.
Appointed as president and CEO of ViacomCBS Networks International in December 2020, he had been president of ViacomCBS Networks Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia (EMEAA), during which time he oversaw operations across a range of markets and led and coordinated VCNI’s mobile strategy globally.
In his role, he has overseen all of Paramount’s media networks and related businesses outside the US. including a portfolio of pay-TV entertainment brands and broadcast networks across six continents. These include Channel 5 in the UK, Telefe in Argentina, Network 10 in Australia and Colors in India through a joint venture with Viacom18. Annecchino has also overseen Paramount’s portfolio of international streaming products Paramount+, Pluto TV and Noggin.
Annecchino joined MTV Networks International in 1997 as distribution manager after holding positions at Turner International, Cartoon Network and CNN. In 2002, he was made general manager of MTV Spain and later Iberia before continuing to rise through the ranks. He became president and CEO of what was then known as ViacomCBS Networks International in December 2020. The company rebranded as Paramount in February.
