Viacom Elects Tom Gorke EVP Sales Of Viacom Media Networks, BET Networks

(RTTNews) - Viacom Inc (VIAB, VIA) on Monday named Tom Gorke to the newly created position of executive vice president, Sales and Business Development for Viacom Media Networks and BET Networks.

In his role, Gorke will lead sales and new business efforts for all linear and digital distribution partnerships across BET, CMT, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Logo, Spike TV, TV Land and VH1, as well as Viacom's joint venture EPIX. Gorke will continue to report to Denise Denson, EVP of Content Distribution.

"As the distribution landscape evolves at warp speed, Tom has demonstrated tremendous foresight and embraced change and disruption as an opportunity to create new value for the company and our partners," said Denson. "Tom's forward-thinking and innovative lens on deal-making will further bridge the ever-blurring lines between the digital and linear universes, allow for more agile collaboration, and enable us to even better serve our partners."

During his tenure at Viacom, Gorke has spearheaded numerous innovative content distribution deals and played a leading role in navigating Viacom's evolution to new platforms. He was responsible for negotiating and launching Viacom's initial forays into online content distribution and has played an increasing role with linear distributors as well.

Most recently, Gorke served as senior vicepresident of Content Distribution and Marketing for Viacom Media Networks, where he was responsible for all of Viacom Media Networks' digital content distribution deals and select linear deals.