David Nevins, chief creative officer of Showtime and head of Paramount Global, is set to exit the company at the end of 2022, The Wall Street Journal first reported Thursday. The move comes after ViacomCBS announced plans to discontinue the standalone Showtime streaming service and merge its content into Paramount+, its upcoming direct-to-consumer platform.
Nevins joined CBS in 2016 when the company acquired a majority stake in his production company, Imagine Entertainment. He was named president and CEO of Showtime Networks in 2018. Under his leadership, Showtime saw hits such as “Billions” and “The Chi.”
In a memo to staff obtained by Variety, ViacomCBS chief Bob Bakish said Nevins will “pursue new opportunities” after his contract expires on December 31. Bakish also announced that Matt Blank will become chairman of Showtime Networks, while David Stapf will become president of the network. Both executives currently report to Nevins.
ViacomCBS has been consolidating its networks in recent months in preparation for the launch of Paramount+. In December, the company announced that it would discontinue the standalone CBS All Access service and rebrand it as Paramount+. It also announced that it would shutter Nickelodeon Land Theme Park in Orlando and instead focus on creating experiences at SeaWorld parks.
David Nevins is set to exit ViacomCBS at the end of 2022 after four years as chief creative officer of Showtime and head of Paramount Global. e. Under Nevins’ leadership, Showtime saw hits such as “Billions” and “The Chi.” Matt Blank will become chairman of Showtime Networks while David Stapf will become president of the network. Both executives currently report to Nevins.
3 Lessons from David Nevins’ Departure
- Don’t get too comfortable in your role. Change can come quickly, as Nevins learned firsthand. As CMO, you need to be prepared for anything and always be looking for new opportunities. Otherwise, you may find yourself out of a job sooner than you thought.
- Be adaptable. The landscape of business is constantly changing, and those who can adapt quickly are more likely to succeed. When industries shift, as the entertainment industry has in recent years, those who are able to pivot their strategies are more likely to thrive. What worked yesterday might not work tomorrow, so it’s important to be flexible and adjust your plans accordingly.
- Stay ahead of the curve. Technology is always evolving, and those who fail to keep up with the latest trends are at risk of being left behind. As CMO, it’s your job to stay on top of the latest marketing trends and ensure that your company is using the best possible tools and strategies. If you’re not ahead of the curve, you run the risk of being irrelevant – and that’s a recipe for disaster.
