Paramount Global Pam Kaufman has promoted Pam Kaufman to President and CEO, International Markets, Global Consumer Products and Experiences, while former international head Raffaele Annecchino is leaving, the company said Friday.
In addition to her previous job as the leader of Paramount’s consumer products, which represent more than $5.5 billion in global retail sales, Kaufman will now also oversee the company’s portfolio of brands, including broadcast and cable networks, streaming and studios and other commercial businesses.
Kaufman will report to Bob Bakish, president and CEO of Paramount, when she assumes the newly created position.
“Pam has been the strategic force behind the growth and expansion of some of the most iconic global franchises and properties in entertainment. She is a proven and trusted visionary leader who has transformed our consumer products organization by driving innovation and operating as a global company,” Bakish said in a statement.
“It is an honor to take on this role at such a critical time for Paramount’s international operations. I know first hand the global strength of our brand portfolio and I look forward to working with Bob and the incredible team as we continue to pursue our global growth strategy,” Kaufman said in her own statement.
In mid-June, Paramount had said in a surprising statement that Annecchino “on leave”, but did not detail a reason or whether he or management had made the decision. He has long been Bakish’s right-hand man, most recently based in Madrid, reporting to Bakish.
In Annecchino’s most recent role, he oversaw all of Paramount’s media networks and related businesses outside the US, including a portfolio of pay-TV entertainment brands and broadcast networks on 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.
After positions with Turner International, Cartoon Network and CNN, Annecchino joined MTV Networks International in 1997 as a distribution manager. He then rose through the ranks, becoming president and CEO of what was then known as ViacomCBS Networks International in December 2020. In February, the company turned into Paramount Global.