Viacom Promotes Kurz for New Consumer Insights Role

US media conglomerate Viacom has promoted Christian Kurz to the new global role of SVP, Global Consumer Insights, overseeing corporate and consumer research, with a focus on exploring new technologies and consumer behavior.

Viacom's companies create television programs, films, apps and games, and other entertainment content for audiences in 180 countries. Kurz (pictured) joined in 2011 as Senior Director, Nickelodeon International Research & Insights, and more recently served as VP of Research, Insights & Reporting. Since joining, he has led industry initiatives such as TV Re[defined], which explored audiences' evolving TV consumption habits globally; The Next Normal, a global portrait of the Millennial audience; and MTV Knowing Youth: 2020 Vision, which looked at young people's outlook on the world and their visions for the future.

Earlier in his career, Kurz worked at Discovery Networks as Insights Director, Emerging Markets, and as Director of Brand Strategy and Marketing Research in EMEA for Disney-ABC Networks Group. In addition, he held research roles at Warner Bros and Interpublic Group.

In his new position, Kurz will continue to lead all international insights projects including thought leadership and consumer behavior studies as well as product, content and brand driven research projects across the firm's international portfolio. Based in New York he will report to Chief Research Officer and EVP Coleen Fahey, and COO Jose Tolosa who comments: 'Christian is smart, strategic and incredibly passionate about our brands, the industry and our audiences around the world. He is committed to elevating our approach to insights and analysis, ensuring that we know our fans better than anyone else out there'.

Web site: www.viacom.com .