Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Asia Names Susumu Imata As New SVP And GM Of Viacom Networks Japan

The entertainment industry news magazine The Hollywood Reporter is reporting in the following article that Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Asia has named Susumu Imata as the new Senior Vice President (SVP) and General Manager (GM) of Viacom Networks Japan.


Based in Tokyo, Susumu will report directly to Mark Whitehead, VIMN Asia's Executive Vice President (EVP) and Managing Director (MD). Imata will oversee the management and operations of the entertainment conglomerate's Japan office, including Nickelodeon, MTV, digital media, programme sales and consumer products and develop the company's long-term strategic plan in Japan.

Imata succeeds Shigeo Numakura, who has retired after 12 years at the company. "Imata will be working closely with Whitehead to seek out new opportunities that will bring VIMN's presence in this key market to the next level while tasked to bring in new revenue streams from Japan," Viacom said.

The appointment marks the executive's return to the company, having previously served as Senior VP advertising sales for MTV Japan from 2004 to 2007:

Susumu Imata Named General Manager of Viacom Networks Japan

He reports to Mark Whitehead, Viacom International Media Networks Asia's managing director

Viacom's Viacom International Media Networks Asia unit on Monday said that it has named Susumu Imata senior vp and general manager of Viacom Networks Japan.

Based in Tokyo, he reports directly to Mark Whitehead, VIMN Asia's executive vp and managing director. Imata will oversee the management and operations of the entertainment conglomerate's Japan office, including MTV, Nickelodeon, digital media, program sales and consumer products and develop its long-term strategic plan in Japan.

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Imata succeeds Shigeo Numakura, who has retired after 12 years at the company. "Imata will be working closely with Whitehead to seek out new opportunities that will bring VIMN's presence in this key market to the next level while tasked to bring in new revenue streams from Japan," Viacom said.

The appointment marks the executive's return to the company, having previously served as senior vp advertising sales for MTV Japan from 2004 to 2007.

Most recently, he served as senior vp and deputy general manager for Fox International Channels Japan. He was also acting as a corporate director of Fox International associated companies in Japan, such as Star Channel.

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"We are well-positioned to capitalize [on] the growth opportunities of our brands in Japan," said Whitehead. "We are thrilled to have Imata join Viacom Networks Japan given his wealth of media industry experience in Japan and his strong sales background."

Said Imata: "It is an exciting time to be joining the company, as there is tremendous strength and potential across the Viacom brands and properties, which can be tapped on for the evolving Japanese media landscape. I'm looking forward to identifying ways we can expand our business in Japan."

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