BREAKING(ish): And the Tom Freston Replacement Is... Salmi in @ MTV

Posted by , Oct 27, 2006, 2:57pm

Mika_SalmiWe're hearing vicious unconfirmed rumors that the new head of MTV [Ed.--as in the channel] will be Mika Salmi, who is currently the CEO of Atom Entertainment (a recent MTV acquisition).** This will probably be announced Monday. Mika's bio (from a random conference website left over from 2000):

Mika founded AtomFilms in September, 1998... Prior to launching AtomFilms, Mika was the Director of Business Development for Getty Images and PhotoDisc, Inc. where he was responsible for new business development, acquisitions, and strategic business partnerships. Prior to Getty, Mika was in charge of business development for the media and entertainment industries at RealNetworks. He also spent seven years in the music business in various international roles for both Sony and EMI, and has the distinction of discovering and signing two major artists: Nine Inch Nails and The Presidents of the USA. Mika graduated with honors and Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Wisconsin and earned his MBA from INSEAD in Fountainebleau, France.

UPDATE: In the "more passable" vein (fun!) Now we're told Salmi's promotion is a bit further down the chain. Salmi's heading MTV (the channel) but not MTV (the entire division). [Ed.--Less interesting! Boooooo!]

** If we're wrong, we'll eat our blog. Or something.

Mika Salmi: CEO, Atom Films [BusinessWeek]
Keynote Bio: Mika Salmi

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Posted in: Viacom

Comments

Posted by Bulging Bracket, Oct 27, 2006 3:34PM

Why can't anyone spell Fontainebleau? Especially in a heavily copy-edited press release?

A few french classes would help most people's grammar and spelling, given the relationship between the languages and the highly structured grammar of french.

But seriously, he signed NIN? Why would you mention that you'd signed the idiots behind "Lump" and "Peaches" when you signed NIN? They might not be the most commercial band ever, but when you haven't been in the industry for more than 10 years, go for the street cred and forget the embarrassing flash in the pan. There's no mention of Kozmo or WebVan on KleinerPerkins' site, but they're sure to put Google and Amazon on the front page!

Posted by Shomari Hines, Oct 27, 2006 4:59PM

So what will happen with current MTV president Christina Norman

Posted by Fresh Direct, Oct 27, 2006 5:14PM

Head of MTV Networks? Head of MTV's music group? Head of MTV's programming? MTV Films? Do you have the slightest idea what you're talking about, or just regurgitate anything that sounds passable?

Posted by Elizabeth Spiers, Oct 27, 2006 5:44PM

I'm not sure what about the phrase "Freston's replacement" is so complex and confusing to you, Fresh Direct. I'm fairly certain he only had one title.

But yes, we do just regurgitate anything that sounds passable. It's fun.

Posted by Fresh Direct, Oct 27, 2006 5:47PM

Because Tom Freston wasn't the head of MTV. He was the head of Viacom. Or do you think those are the same things?

Posted by Hugomania, Oct 27, 2006 7:50PM

Networks change their "heads" as often as often as we all change the channel. Who cares who heads them up? Like Springsteen sang -- 57 Channels (And Nothin' On)

Posted by yawn, Oct 27, 2006 7:53PM

a useless bit of rumor. this is worth less than the usual .02 on this site

Posted by sparcatus, Oct 27, 2006 8:27PM

Right, Tom was head of Viacom and was replaced by Philippe Dauman.

So, if this guy is going to "head MTV" someone else has to get moved out. Who's that gonna be? And which MTV? Networks, the Channel, some other media property with MTV as part of the name...

Posted by Shomari Hines, Oct 28, 2006 1:57AM

Liz I love you. But did you really think this dude was coming in to take Judy McGrath's job? Maybe when Sumner decides that he is ready to hand the keys to her!

Posted by mediabitch, Oct 28, 2006 3:21PM

There are many options here:
1) Head of MTV Networks (Judy McGrath's gig) - No Way this is true

2) Head of MTV Music group - MTV, MTV2, MTVU, VH1, CMT (Van Toffler) - Extremely doubtful

3) Head of MTV (Christina Norman) - Can't imagine it's true

4) MTV2 or MTVU - ehh, maybe

5) MTV Films - most likely of all (and the position is open since David Gale left)

Posted by wagarama holiday, Oct 30, 2006 7:30AM

with that background, he sounds more like a candidate for the Smithsonian classroom on demand operation

Posted by Fresh Direct, Oct 30, 2006 9:21AM

Whoops, too bad the misinformation has already been swallowed hook, line, and sinker by Gawker, Idolator, FishbowlNY, Huffington Post...

Yay, fact-checking! Yay, blogosphere!

Posted by Former MTVer, Oct 30, 2006 2:14PM

mediabitch - you forgot one possible position that is both open, and that Salmi could be qualified for - the Head of MTV Digital (CDO) post that was vacated this past Spring by Jason Hirshhorn's departure.

Posted by CDilla, Oct 30, 2006 3:48PM

That sure shook everyone up for a second.

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