MTV chief steps down

Michiel Bakker, chief of MTV Networks UK and Ireland, has announced he is leaving the channel just 24 hours after parent company Viacom announced it was axing 250 jobs from MTV’s international business.

Bakker has been at the music channel for 20 years and has most recently been responsible for rolling out user-generated digital services. He also established the network’s UK ad sales arm, Viacom Brand Solutions, in 2000.

Bakker will be replaced in the interim by Heather Jones, senior vice-president and managing director of music and comedy, and Richard Tan, senior vice-president of finance and operations, until a replacement is found.