The departure of Paramount vet Georgia Arnold leads to restructuring in the social impact department

EXCLUSIVE: Last month, it was announced that Paramount Global veteran Georgia Arnold was leaving the company after nearly three decades, and we’ve now learned that her departure led to a global shake-up of the company’s social impact department.

In an internal memo seen by Deadline, Paramount told employees that it “remains committed to driving positive change through its content, people and platforms” following the departure of Arnold, whose work drives social change through film, television and digital platforms around the world. ” is known throughout the company.

crystal BarnesEVP, Social Impact & Environmental Social and Governance (ESG), will effectively succeed her at the helm of a restructured Paramount Global Impact division Janice Gatti And Brad Archer Haynes also plays a key role. Arnold served as both senior vice president of social responsibility and executive director of the MTV Staying Alive Foundation.

The Impact Unit was established two years ago under Arnold’s leadership as VIS Social Impact, a division within Paramount’s Content For Change (CFC) initiative. Paramount’s memo said the new structure will allow the organization to “efficiently scale” its impact “as we continue to engage and inspire our audiences around the world to make a difference through similar programs and initiatives” and “ensure that the company provides key insights.” worldwide.”

BarnesThe expanded role gives her oversight of areas such as the CFC initiative, community partnerships, employee engagement around impact and environmental footprint across the company.

EVP and Chief Communications Officer for Paramount International Markets Gatti has expanded her responsibilities to include oversight of the unit outside the US and will work with Barnes on global initiatives.

Archer Haynes has been named SVP, Cross-Company Impact, a new role responsible for integrating impact and CFC efforts into Paramount’s business priorities across content, platforms and employees. He also leads international social impact efforts, double reports on Barnes and Gatti, and focuses on initiatives such as World Mental Health Day, MTV Entertainment Studios’ “Mental Health is Health” and Nickelodeon’s “Our World.”

Archer-Haynes joined Paramount’s international team in New York in 2014 after holding leadership roles in the local market and groups in London.

Other executives who will work on Barnes’ team include vice chairman of Social Impact Adam RobinsonManaging Director of CFC Melissa Potter and Vice President of ESG Jessica Thurston. They will lead a newly formed impact team “focused on driving meaningful change using the company’s content, creative supply chain and existing people and community programming.”

Since 2022, Paramount has commissioned eight studies on representation and content.

end of an era

Arnold’s departure — confirmed last month — marks the end of an era for Paramount’s efforts at social change. Since its inception, she has been the face of the MTV Staying Alive Foundation, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary.

Wame Jallow replaced her longtime position as executive director of the foundation, which came from the nonprofit Population Media Center.

Arnold recently led production on the upcoming Paramount+ activism documentaries The changerswhich we first reported to you last year and current events GenChange And MTV breaks digital series. She has worked on content deals with international talent such as Theseo Mbedu (The metro, The Queen King) through the “Content For Change” initiative.

MTV Staying Alive is designed to help young people make informed decisions. It is mostly known for that MTV Shuga Text series that first aired in Kenya in 2009 starring Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o. Last year, CBS Studios teamed up with Damon Wayans Jr. and Arnold worked on an American version for Paramount+. Shuga: Baltimore.

Since its launch 14 years ago MTV Shuga has expanded to broadcast in 40 African countries and over 70 television networks around the world, covering issues such as HIV, safe and legal abortion, rape and gender-based violence. Evaluations by various organizations and universities have shown that the program has led to increased condom use and HIV testing in Africa, as well as positive changes in attitudes towards gender-based violence.

Arnold co-founded the foundation in 1998, according to MTV’s stay alive Documentary presented by George Michael and dedicated to the emerging HIV and AIDS crisis. The company now has a global donor base and partnerships with, among others, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. Arnold was recently honored with a special UNAIDS Leadership Award in recognition of her contribution to the global fight against HIV.

Her successor, Jallow, is based in Botswana and will assume this role with immediate effect. Her career spans twenty activities in the fields of global health, law and the environment.

Previously, she was vice president of international programs at the Population Media Center, where she led the global portfolio implementing media to promote social and behavioral change. This included working with producers of television and radio programs promoting positive life changes.

Arnold said: “For the past 25 years, MTV Staying Alive has been a leader in telling stories with purpose and proven impact. Produced directly in the communities we work with, our diverse content has been able to overcome cultural barriers by telling authentic, local yet universal stories. We thought carefully about who we were working with and the stories we were telling, always making sure everyone had a seat at the table. I am delighted that Wame Jallow is now taking on the role of Executive Director and I am confident that her roots in Southern Africa, combined with her years of experience, will take the Foundation to new heights.”

Jallow added: “To make a real impact and successfully tell the stories of our communities, we need to broaden our perspective and recognize the connections between economics, social issues, climate, rights and health equity.” These issues are inextricably linked and affect every aspect of our daily lives and that of young people.”

Paramount Global President and CEO Bob Bakish said, “Under Georgia’s leadership, MTV Staying Alive has made an immeasurable impact around the world for more than two decades with its groundbreaking approach to empowering and educating young people.” Georgia is one inspirational leader and founder whose vision has made MTV Staying Alive the international force it is today.

“Long before the AIDS epidemic, Paramount remained committed to supporting work that protects and informs the next generation. We recognize there is still much work to be done and look forward to continuing to support the Foundation under Wame Jallow.”