MUMBAI: Christina Norman, the highly regarded president of Vh1, has been given a much more high profile role within MTV Networks. The African American media whiz was yesterday named president of MTV: Music Television.
Stepping into her shoes as it were is Tom Calderone, who has been named general manager of Vh1. Calderone has served at MTV and MTV 2 as executive vice president, music programming and talent.
Norman fills a position that has been lying vacant since October. As president, Norman will be responsible for the day-to-day leadership, strategy and management of MTV. She will also oversee and direct: business development, research, marketing and promotion, finance, communications and human resources and will partner with the respective general managers on the overall strategic direction of MTV2, mtvU, MTV Espanol, MTV Hits and MTV Jams, informs a media release.
In addition, Norman will help manage MTV's new media efforts, with the digital media group, including MTV.com and MTV She will also be responsible for MTV's strategy around new business initiatives and consumer products under the MTV brand.
At Vh1, Norman has been credited with revamping the programming and enhancing creative development and the networks on-air image.
As for Calderone, he had overseen the development of music franchises such as Spankin' New Music, and MTV Ultimate Mash-Ups.
Calderone also played a key role in the renewed MTV2 by shepherding new programming as the underground hit Wonder Showzen, the music performance series Discover and Download and music blocks Sucker Free Sundays and Subterranean.
Both Norman and Calderone will continue to be based in New York and report to MTV Networks president Van Toffler.