News Broadcasting
Viacom realigns music and ent ad sales for a new convergent structure
MUMBAI: Viacom recently announced a realignment of its Viacom Media Networks Music and Entertainment ad sales group to merge its television, digital and mobile teams into a single convergent sales organisation.
The convergent team will handle all sales and integrated marketing for linear and digital assets across CMT, Comedy Central, MTV, Logo, Spike TV, TV Land and VH1.
“The lines among television, online and mobile aren’t just blurring – they’ve been erased in terms of how our audiences consume and experience content,” said Music and Entertainment head of sales Jeff Lucas. “For a client-centric organisation like ours, a convergent structure will keep us on the leading edge of marketing innovation and ensure that we continue to create value for advertisers and audiences alike.”
Under the new structure, the music and entertainment team’s former senior VPs of digital ad sales will take on new leadership roles. Melanie Dimemmo will serve as senior VP of digital video sales, focusing on video deals across the music and entertainment portfolio. She will report dually to Neil Holt and Sean Moran, executive VPs of Ad Sales.
Sarah Iooss will serve as senior VP of partnerships and client strategy, a role in which she’ll be responsible for identifying partnerships with content and platform technology companies. Sarah will report to Elizabeth Herbst-Brady, executive VP of ad sales strategy.
Sharon Silverstein will serve as senior VP of Multiplatform Studio ad sales leading the convergent team focused on the company’s studio clients out of Los Angeles. Silverstein will continue to report to Steve Agase, senior VP of ad sales, West Coast.
Additionally, under the new convergent structure, all sales team senior vice presidents and vice presidents will assume responsibility for linear and digital business. Both linear and digital account executives will report into the same convergent leadership.
News Broadcasting
Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
