Comedy Central said it has folded in its previously separate digital unit under a new restructured internal organization that aims to “eliminate the walls between linear and digital” and more properly align with the way the network’s viewers consume content.
As part of the reorg, David Bernath, executive vice president of programming and multiplatform strategy, now leads all programming for the channel, including linear TV, the comedycentral.com site, VOD, subscription VOD, mobile, and new platforms. Walter Levitt, Comedy Central's chief marketing officer, will now spearhead the brand’s fan outreach across platforms, including the recently formed Fan Engagement team, which heads up social and digital marketing.
Both Bernath and Levitt will continue to report to Comedy Central president Michele Ganeless, the company said, noting that the appointments follow the promotion earlier this year of Kent Alterman to president, content development & original programming.
“We’ve dismantled the department formerly known as ‘digital’ to create an organization that better serves our fans and advertisers,” said Ganeless, in a statement. “Our fans don’t use the word ‘digital’ to talk about content and now, neither do we.”
Among other moves tied to the reorg, Steve Grimes has been named to the new position of senior vice president, multiplatform strategy & development, reporting to Bernath and Erik Flannigan, executive VP, multiplatform strategy & development, Viacom Entertainment Group. In his new role, Grimes adds multiplatform programming strategy to his previous responsibilities, overseeing the Comedy Central digital media team and its initiatives. Grimes is also responsible for app development.
