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MTV Networks Music Group Promotes Tom Calderone to President of VH1
NEW YORK, Oct. 16 -- Tom Calderone has been promoted to
President of VH1, managing the brand's overall portfolio including, VH1,
VH1 Classic, VH1 Soul, VH1.com, and all brand extensions, it was announced
today by MTV Networks Music and Logo Group President Van Toffler. Calderone
formerly held the title of Executive Vice President and General Manager of
VH1 since 2005.
In 2007, Tom was named one of Mediaweek magazine's Top 50 most
influential executives shaping the future of media. Calderone will continue
to be responsible for the day-to-day leadership, strategy and management of
VH1's entire on-air and digital businesses. He will continue to be based in
New York and report directly to Toffler.
"Tom has an encyclopedic knowledge of music, great instincts in
identifying the next cultural phenomenon for the VH1 audience, a sharp
business sense and an inexplicable love of the Buffalo Bills" said Toffler.
"Those characteristics not only make him a unique and thoughtful leader,
but just an all around good person to have on your team and driving one of
your key brands."
Under Calderone's leadership, VH1 posted 23 consecutive quarters of
growth among total viewers, with the first quarter of 2008 marking the
network's highest rated ever among the coveted 18-49 year old demographic.
He and his team have firmly rooted VH1 into the collective music and pop
culture psyche with 13 series, specials and live events that have attained
"Millionaire's Club" status, averaging at least one million viewers during
their premieres for the year-to-date. VH1 also landed two of its series on
the list of top 10 new cable shows this past summer. Calderone and his team
have also launched the successful "Rock Honors" annual tentpole franchise
and televised huge music global events including "The Concert for Diana" in
2007 and the 90th birthday concert for Nelson Mandela this past summer.
Over the last three years, Calderone has focused on building all of
VH1's platforms and businesses. VH1 Classic has become the Mount Rushmore
of Rock where legendary rock icons and moments are celebrated on TV as well
as on VH1Classic.com. Original programming has grown on VH1 Soul for the
passionate fans of R&B. He has also built an impressive collection of
digital businesses online with VH1.com, and BestWeekEver.tv among others,
and on the handset with VH1 Mobile.
In addition to his VH1 duties, Calderone will continue to shepherd the
growth of Palladia, MTV Networks' high-definition music network that boasts
12 million subscribers. He also serves as Chairman of the VH1 Save the
Music Foundation, which has donated more than $40 million worth of music
instruments to restore music education programs to public schools across
the country. He also directs VH1 Classic's Rock Autism initiative.
Calderone began his career at MTV Networks in 1998 as Senior Vice
President of Music and Talent Programming for MTV, where he led the
creation of new music initiatives for the various MTV screens on-air,
online and on mobile, as well as managing artist and label relations. He
was later promoted to Executive Vice President Music and Talent Programming
for MTV & MTV2, taking on a larger role in the development of music
programming with some of the biggest artists, including the breakthrough
music franchise "Spankin' New Music," "Ultimate Mash Ups," "MTV Icon" which
honored iconic musical artists such as Aerosmith, "MTV Jammed," the
hilarious "Doggy Fizzle Televizzle" with Snoop Dogg and the underground
MTV2 hit "Wonder Showzen."
He was also instrumental in launching and championing MTV's music
performance series "Discover and Download," as well as MTV2's "Sucker Free"
and Subterranean." Before joining MTV Networks, Calderone had built an
impressive track record in the music industry. He served as a consultant
with Jacobs Media where he advised radio stations across the country on
music, talent and marketing strategies. Early in his career, Calderone
served as host of two syndicated radio shows, "Modern Rock Live" and "On
the Edge."
Earlier this year, Calderone also received an honorary doctorate of
humane letters from his alma mater, Buffalo State College.
About VH1
VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter
to them most with TV series, specials, live events, exclusive online
content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in 95 million
households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital channels and
services including VH1Classic, VH1 Soul, VH1 Mobile, VH1Games and extensive
broadband video on VH1.com. Connect with VH1 at VH1.com.
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