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Pamela Kaufman replaces Raffaele Annecchino to lead Paramount Global’s international business
Mumbai: Pamela Kaufman has been appointed as Paramount Global’s new president and CEO of international markets, global consumer products, and experiences. Prior to joining this position, Kaufman was the president of global consumer products and experiences.
This newly created position reports to Paramount president and CEO Bob Bakish. The company said that this move reflects its ongoing strategy of globalising its operations. has decided to leave the company in his role as
Former Paramount International Networks, Studios, and Streaming president and CEO Raffaele Annecchino, who, according to the studio, has “decided to leave the company,” was suddenly put on leave last month. At the time, no more information concerning his departure was made public.
In her expanded role, Kaufman will be responsible for driving the continued growth of Paramount’s international business and ensuring the strength of the company’s international operations across six continents, including broadcast and cable networks, streaming and studios, and the company’s commercial capabilities. She will work closely with Paramount’s international leadership team, as well as the global content and streaming organisation, to do so, including helping to guide the continued international rollout of Paramount+ and Pluto TV. Kaufman will maintain her current responsibilities overseeing the global multi-billion-dollar consumer products and experiences organisation.
“Pam has been the strategic force behind growing and expanding some of the most iconic global franchises and properties in entertainment,” Bakish said in a statement. “She is a proven and trusted visionary leader who has transformed our consumer products organisation by driving innovation and operating as a global business. Pam is uniquely qualified to lead our international business as we expand and diversify our worldwide footprint and accelerate Paramount’s transformation to operate with a truly global approach.”
Bakish added, “I want to extend my thanks to Raffaele Annecchino for the critical role he has played in building Paramount’s international business and expanding our global footprint. I am grateful for the dedication he has shown throughout his 25 years at Paramount and wish him well in the future.”
Speaking on joining her new role, Kaufman said, “I am honoured to take on this role at such a pivotal time for Paramount’s international business. I know firsthand the global strength of our brand portfolio, and I look forward to working with Bob and the incredible international team as we continue pursuing our global growth strategy, investing in key partnerships, furthering our push into mobile and digital platforms in new markets, and operating as one team globally.”
In November 2021, Kaufman assumed the role of Paramount president, global consumer products and experiences, overseeing worldwide product and business development, marketing, franchise planning, creative strategy, retail sales, and consumer insights for all brands in the portfolio. In less than a year, Kaufman has led the transformation of the consumer products business, unifying the organisation by placing the full power of the Paramount ecosystem behind its most valuable IP. Her commitment to transformation, innovation, and brand building has led to some of the most groundbreaking partnerships in the company’s history, including cutting-edge co-branded collaborations with the biggest names in social media.
Kaufman was also responsible for Viacom’s first direct-to-consumer e-commerce site in 2019 – The SpongeBob Shop – and has since led the expansion of additional online direct-to-consumer businesses for merchandise tied to various top CBS and Showtime programming, including similar standalone initiatives for brands such as Star Trek, South Park, and MTV.
Prior to that role, she served as Nickelodeon’s president of consumer products and CMO. She was responsible for building Nickelodeon’s franchises, ranging from PAW Patrol to SpongeBob SquarePants, shepherding them through important tentpole campaigns and milestone celebrations.
Before joining Nickelodeon back in 1997, Kaufman held positions at Turner International, Equity Marketing, and Grey Advertising.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
