RELATED: MTV’s Michael Klein Helps MTV Get Back Into The Groove
MTV has lost its second top executive in as many months as the network’s executive vice president of original content Michael Klein departs eight months after being hired.
Klein’s departure follows that of former MTV president Sean Atkins, who exited the company last month. Current MTV president Chris McCarthy announced Klein’s departure Monday in an internal memo, stating that Klein signed on “under different circumstances to purse a different strategy."
Atkins this past March hired Klein, a former Condé Nast digital channel content executive, to oversee the network’s move toward more music-themed original programming.
It's unclear whether MTV will replace Klein.
McCarthy’s full memo appears below:
Hope you had a restful Thanksgiving break. I wanted to let you know that Michael Klein has decided to leave the company. We’ve been discussing his role these past few weeks, and it’s clear he signed on to the job under different circumstances to pursue a different strategy. I understand and respect his decision, and the work the Development team has done in the past year. I want to thank Michael for helping me get up to speed, and for his efforts on behalf of MTV.
Many thanks to the Development team for its continued hard work, commitment and creativity in the meantime. We’ll have news to share soon about new leadership for programming and development. I’m confident that together we’ll continue to break new ground, connect with our young audience, and elevate our brand.
For the moment, please join me in thanking Michael and wishing him the best of luck.
