Tokyo/Singapore – Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Asia announced that Susumu Imata has been appointed Senior Vice President and General Manager of Viacom Networks Japan.
In this position, Imata reports directly to Mark Whitehead, VIMN Asia’s Executive Vice President and Managing Director and is based in Tokyo. He will oversee the management and operations of the Japan office, across VIMN’s brands and business including MTV, Nickelodeon, digital media, program sales and consumer products, while developing the long-term strategic plan in Japan. He succeeds Shigeo Numakura, who has retired, having been with the company for the past twelve years. Imata will be working closely with Whitehead to seek out new opportunities that will bring VIMN’s presence in this key market to the next level, while tasked to bring in new revenue streams from Japan.
“We are well-positioned to capitalise the growth opportunities of our brands in Japan. We are thrilled to have Imata join Viacom Networks Japan given his wealth of media industry experience in Japan and his strong sales background,” said Whitehead. “We’re confident that his leadership qualities are what we need to take our businesses and brands in Japan to the next level. I want to thank Numukura-san for his many contributions to the company over the past twelve years, which have set us up for our next phase of growth.”
Imata said, “I am honoured to join Viacom Networks Japan and consider it a privilege to lead such a talented and dynamic team. It is an exciting time to be joining the company as there is tremendous strength and potential across the Viacom brands and properties, which can be tapped on for the evolving Japanese media landscape. I’m looking forward to identifying ways we can expand our business in Japan.”
Imata’s appointment as Senior Vice President and General Manager sees him returning to the MTV business in Japan, having previously served as Senior Vice President of Advertising Sales for MTV Japan Inc. from 2004 to 2007, where he delivered strong revenue growth and amplified MTV’s brand presence in the market through an enhanced multi-platform advertising sales strategy integrating TV, Events, and Digital Media offerings.
Most recently, he was Senior Vice President and Deputy General Manager for FOX International Channels Japan Inc. He was also acting as a Corporate Director of FOX International associated companies in Japan such as Star Channel Inc. and BS FOX Inc., and is a Director of Trustee of the International Advertising Association Japan. Additionally, he was the Chairman of the Cable TV Advertising Bureau Japan. Prior to initially joining MTV Japan, Imata has also worked at Jupiter Programming Co. Ltd., a company of the current Jupiter Telecommunications Co., Ltd.
