PARAMOUNT PROMOTES MTV, NICKELODEON DIVISIONS NOW FILM LABELS.Byline: GREG HERNANDEZ Staff Writer Struggling to string together major box office hits, Paramount Pictures hopes to benefit from a new studio structure announced late Monday that upgrades MTV MTV in full Music Television U.S. cable television network, established in 1980 to present videos of musicians and singers performing new rock music. MTV won a wide following among rock-music fans worldwide and greatly affected the popular-music business. and Nickelodeon to full film labels under the studio umbrella. The two labels have long operated as production companies under Paramount parent company Viacom Inc., developing a strong following with their core audiences of young adults (MTV) and families (Nickelodeon). ``After successful 12-year stints as production companies at Paramount, we are going to upgrade MTV and Nick to full movie label status,'' said Tom Freston Thomas E. Freston (born 22 November 1945) is an American television executive who most recently served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the post-split Viacom, until his resignation on September 5, 2006. , Viacom President and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. . ``This will expand their role at Paramount, will better leverage their considerable talent and marketing capabilities, and will allow for smoother day-to-day management on the lot,'' Freston said in a statement. Freston added that the change would ``increase the positive momentum'' the studio has seen under Chairman and CEO Brad Grey, who took over early last year. ``We look forward to great films and a great future with these two new labels,'' Grey stated. Paramount has a few midlevel mid·lev·el n. The middle stage or level, as in a series, course of action, or career. hits that have been doing steady business. The 9-11 movie ``World Trade Center,'' starring Nicolas Cage, has grossed $45.1 million in two weeks; ``Barnyard'' has managed to gain traction in a crowded field of animated films, earning $46.1 million; and the Jack Black comedy ``Nacho Libre'' has taken in just under $80 million. Nickelodeon titles released by Paramount include ``Nacho Libre'' and ``Barnyard'' as well as previous hits ``Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events'' and ``The SpongeBob SquarePants This article is about the series. For the title character, see SpongeBob SquarePants (character). For other uses, see SpongeBob SquarePants (disambiguation). SpongeBob SquarePants is an Emmy-nominated American animated television series and media franchise. Movie,'' both of which had $30 million-plus openings in late 2004. MTV Films has made more than 20 movies, including last summer's Adam Sandler hit ``The Longest Yard,'' the cult favorites ``Napoleon Dynamite'' and ``Election''; ``Hustle hus·tle v. hus·tled, hus·tling, hus·tles v.tr. 1. To jostle or shove roughly. 2. To convey in a hurried or rough manner: hustled the prisoner into a van. & Flow''; and ``Save the Last Dance'' among others. Veteran producer Scott Aversano Scott Aversano, b. 1970, was educated at The Lawrenceville School (Diploma 1987), Brown University (A.B. 1991) and The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where he earned an M.A. in English Literature. was named president of MTV Films and Nick Movies. greg.hernandez(at)dailynews.com (818) 713-3758 |
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