CMT Layoffs Follow Viacom Reorganization

CMT has laid off some executives as part of a larger reorganization at parent company Viacom, as Chris McCarthy (president of CMT, MTV, Logo and VH1) has consolidated several departments, MusicRow has confirmed. CMT’s marketing, music, scheduling, communication, and events teams will be fully integrated into McCarthy’s music group.

In October 2018, Viacom Media Networks announced a new structure, bringing CMT to join MTV, VH1, CMT, and Logo, while the other main brand groups include Comedy Central, Paramount Network and TV Land; BET Networks; and Nickelodeon.

Among those laid off from CMT as part of the department consolidations are chief marketing officer Anthony Barton, and Suzanne Norman, head of the Nashville office. Barton joined CMT’s Integrated Marketing team in 2004, and relocated to Nashville from New York in 2007. Norman joined CMT in 1999. Additionally, some CMT staffers will relocate to New York, while others continue in Nashville. After 12 years, Sr. Manager Social Media, Jen Hoogerhyde (Morrison) has also departed, and can be reached at jen.morrison513@gmail.com.

“The heart and soul of CMT is our music programming, tentpoles and deep connection to Nashville — which will be at the center of CMT’s growth plan forward,” McCarthy said in an internal memo. “Through increased programming and events, we will further amplify Nashville and its thriving country music scene. More to come on this shortly.

The full memo from McCarthy is below:

Hi everyone,

We have made great progress over the last couple of years to fully harness the creative power of our collective group.

By integrating our departments across brands, removing silos and developing best-in-class creative teams, we are building a stronger group together.

Today, we are taking the next step — as we finalize the integration of CMT with a new, simplified structure. Moving forward, the CMT marketing, music, scheduling, communications and event production teams will be fully integrated within our group, under our existing unified leadership team. Several CMT leads will be taking on expanded roles working across all of our brands, particularly in partnership marketing and event production.

Unfortunately, however, this new structure does mean some hard changes. A number of our CMT marketing colleagues will be leaving including Anthony Barton, the head of CMT marketing, and Suzanne Norman, the head of our Nashville office.

Suzanne and Anthony are passionate champions for the CMT brand and we are very grateful for their many years of dedication. Without them, and many of our CMT colleagues, it would not be as strong as it is today. Please join me in thanking them and wishing everyone continued success.

The heart and soul of CMT is our music programming, tentpoles and deep connection to Nashville — which will be at the center of CMT’s growth plan forward. Through increased programming and events, we will further amplify Nashville and its thriving country music scene. More to come on this shortly.

Thank you for your continued support as we transform our group and the company for the future.

Best,
Chris