MTV Networks restructures region, Robbins departs

Embattled entertainment network MTV Networks Asia Pacific has unveiled a series of sweeping organisational changes to its business strategy in the region, which will lead to 84 redundancies across a number of departments in the Singapore operation. <BR><BR> Nigel Robbins (pictured), president of MTV Networks Asia Pacific, has also announced he will step down from his role, but he will continue to act in a consultant capacity until the end of the year to manage the transition with EVP and chief operating officer Steven Tan, who will lead the business until Robbins' replacement is named. <BR><BR> Key among the changes is a decision to decentralise the network's regional operation currently based out of Singapore in favour of localised operations, a move which would allow the entertainment giant to empower local operations to drive their own television and digital businesses as they see fit. <BR><BR> Singapore will continue to act as a regional headquarters for the streamlined corporate group, along with a new unit to be headed by EVP Viacom Brand Solutions and Southeast Asia Christopher Steward, with the unit to manage MTV and Nickelodeon's TV and digital business, along with the VBS pan-regional sales group. <BR><BR> "The realignment of our structure does have a significant impact, and sadly for me, this means we'll lose some wonderfully talented colleagues and friends, and a decision like this is agonising, even though we're certain it's the right decision for the future of the business," said Bill Roedy, president, MTV Networks International.