Ben Richardson Named Vice President & General Manager, Nickelodeon Australia
Sydney, Australia, July 6, 2011 – Ben Richardson has been named Vice President and General Manager for Nickelodeon
Australia, it was announced by Katrina Southon, Sr. Vice President and Managing Director, Viacom International Media
Networks Australia and New Zealand. Mr. Richardson replaces Ms. Southon, who was promoted to her current position in
February 2011. Seen in over 2.3 million Australian television homes, Nickelodeon Australia is a joint venture between
Viacom International Media Networks and XYZnetworks.
As Vice President and General Manager, Richardson will be responsible for the day-to-day management of Nickelodeon and
Nick Jr., both 24-hour subscription television networks available in over 2.3 million households.
“Ben is someone who represents the perfect blend of creative expertise and business acumen, and this is vital to
Nickelodeon,” said Katrina Southon. “It’s always exciting when an Australian can make a big impression overseas, but
it’s even more exciting when we welcome them home to lead our longest-established business.” She continued, “Ben is a passionate kids advocate and I’m delighted that he’ll be taking on the General Manager’s
role.”
Mr. Richardson returns to Australia after six years abroad in various capacities for Viacom International Media Networks
operations in India, Indonesia, Japan, and most recently, Korea. As Vice President and General Manager of MTV Networks
Korea, Richardson led Nickelodeon to its best-ever ratings, including SpongeBob SquarePants becoming the #1 rated animated show in the country. Mr. Richardson also led MTV Korea to ratings and revenue records,
and was instrumental in the company’s on-going export of Korean music content to regional audiences. Whilst based in
Indonesia, Mr. Richardson is credited with executive producing Nick’s first Islamic co-production, Taman Ramadan, as well as creating the first IndonesianNickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards.
Mr. Richardson has been the recipient of more than 25 international media awards including several Promax BDA and Promax
Asia awards, as well as an ASTRA Award for “Best Programme Event” and “Best Music Event.” Prior to joining MTV Networks,
Richardson was Executive Producer at XYZnetworks, having originally joined the company in 1995. While at XYZnetworks, he
executive produced landmark subscription television events including Big Day Out and Band in a Bubble.
About Nickelodeon Networks
Established in 1995, Nickelodeon Australia has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it
does. Thanks to the success of local productions, including the infamous Australian Kids’ Choice Awards and the Logie-nominated ASTRA Award- winning series, Camp Orange, Nickelodeon has taken home the ASTRA Award for Channel of the year, twice. In 2004, Nick Jr. was launched as the first
24-hour network specifically designed for pre-school audiences in Australia. Now in its 7th year, Nick Jr. Australia has
built on Nickelodeon’s reputation as the world’s leading entertainment brand for kids. In New Zealand, Nickelodeon and
Nick Jr. screen on SKY channels 041 and 044 respectively.
About Viacom International Media Networks
Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN), a unit of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is comprised of many of the
worlds’ most popular multimedia entertainment brands including MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET, non-premium
Paramount branded channels, VH1, VIVA, MTVNHD, Tr3s: MTV, Musica y Mas, TMF (The Music Factory), COLORS and Game One.
ENDS