Top Viacom Ad Professional Out Over Alleged Kickbacks (Exclusive)

A senior Viacom advertising executive leaves the business following an analysis into accusations from the kickback plan including vast amounts throughout a time of years.our editor recommendsEmmy Roundtable: TV Professionals Professionals within the Academy AwardsExecutives within the Oscars John Fays was senior v . p . at MTV Systems, controlling direct-response advertising and paid out programming for Viacom's 17 ad-supported cable systems, including MTV, VH1, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon. According to sources, Fays allegedly offered reduced advertising to specific direct-response merchants, whose wares frequently include skin-care products and DVD collections. But he allegedly looked for kickbacks in cash - sometimes shipped in briefcases. Viacom declined comment. Showed up at on his cell phone, Fays mentioned The Hollywood Reporter needs to be "very, carefulInch about verifying these accusations before he stuck. Fays, 40, grew to become an associate of MTVN within the month of the month of january 2005, leading to just what the trade magazine Response referred to as "an unequalled surge" in direct-response revenue. In the 2007 profile, playboy reported that Fays had taken a dynamic role marketing the value of direct-response advertising for the cable tv business, working his in position at three leading cable-network families - Lifetime Systems, USA Systems and MTV Systems. He reported to Rob Lucas, MTVN's mind of sales. An origin states that 15 several days ago, direct-response entrepreneurs representing $200 million in annual business with Viacom systems introduced these accusations for the attention of company professionals. Around the beginning of September, they states, Viacom "locked lower every single person's computer inside the ad sales department." The business then allegedly experienced staffers' e-mails and "clicked up BlackBerrys from people hands." A company analysis is mentioned being ongoing. Viacom had $8.6 billion in global revenue in fiscal 2010. A company source states direct-response advertising comprises about under ten percent in the Viacom's ad revenue, though another source puts that number substantially greater. E-mail: Kim.Masters@thr.com Daniel.Burns@thr.com Twitter: @KimMasters @DanielNMiller Related Subjects Viacom