Former Viacom & Paramount Boss Raffaele Annecchino Dead at 55

Raffaele Annecchino, previously the global head of Paramount and its antecedent, Viacom, has passed away at the age of 55 due to acute meningitis.

The esteemed Italian executive, celebrated for his adept negotiation skills and sharp business insight, died unexpectedly this past weekend in the Balearic Islands, as confirmed by his personal representatives.

Annecchino, who last held the position of President and CEO at Paramount International, Networks, Streaming, and Studio, played a pivotal role in the introduction of channels like BET, MTV, and Nickelodeon. He managed networks including Channel 5 in the UK and Network Ten in Australia. His significant contributions also included the global expansion of Paramount+, the growth of the European SVoD SkyShowtime, and the free streaming service Pluto TV. Additionally, he served on the boards of Viacom 18 in India and SBS Media in South Korea.

Over a span of more than 25 years with Paramount and Viacom, Annecchino initially started in a commercial capacity in the company’s Madrid office and ascended to top executive roles. Earlier in his career, he was employed by the Warner Bros. Discovery precursor, Turner Broadcasting System, working with brands like Cartoon Network and CNN.

After his departure from Paramount in 2022, Annecchino founded Blue Ocean Media Partners, a global media consultancy where he served as President and CEO, operating out of offices in Madrid and Dubai. Recently, he took on a role at Mediapro Middle East, offering strategic guidance and support.

“Raffaele Annecchino was much more than just a boss,” stated Joana Carrion Boulos, a partner at Blue Ocean, on LinkedIn. “He possessed a unique leadership style that was empowering and subtle. He trusted his colleagues, provided them autonomy, valued their input, and most importantly, recognized their contributions.”

“Such sad news,” expressed former Paramount President and CEO Bob Bakish, who closely collaborated with Annecchino for many years, on social media. “Raffa was a dynamic presence, gone too soon. He will be deeply missed. May he rest in peace.”

Additional tributes were shared by former Paramount executive Michael Armstrong, JioHotstar’s Amit Malhotra, and Michelle Alberti.