Viacom Promotes Four EVPs

Viacom chairman/ceo Sumner M. Redstone announced today the promotion of four key members of the company's senior management team to evp, including Carl D. Folta, head of corporate relations; Carol A. Melton, in charge of government relations; William Roskin, overseeing human resources and administration and Martin M. Shea, head of investor relations. They all report directly to Redstone.

"I am extremely pleased to announce the promotions of these four terrific executives, each of whom has played a critical role in Viacom's growth and success over the past decade, said Redstone. They are each highly regarded in their respective disciplines and have made important contributions not only to Viacom, but also to the media and entertainment industry as a whole. I am so pleased to acknowledge all of their hard work and dedication on behalf of Viacom with these promotions. And I'm extraordinarily grateful for their wise counsel, their trust and their friendship over the years."

As evp of corporate relations, Folta will continue to be responsible for Viacom's overall communications activities, both internal and external, as well as the coordination of communications at the company's operations, which include CBS, MTV Networks, BET, Paramount Pictures, Viacom Outdoor and Infinity Broadcasting. He serves as Viacoms chief spokesperson, responsible for all financial press. He also oversees media relations activities for industry issues and public affairs, including regulatory, legislative and legal issues.

Additionally, Folta manages corporate philanthropy, public affairs and corporate events functions. He initiated and heads up the Peabody and Emmy Award-winning KNOW HIV/AIDS, Viacom's groundbreaking, cross- platform public education campaign to fight HIV/AIDS. Folta is a member of Viacom's Marketing Council, which comprises the company's top marketers and creates cross-promotional campaigns for Viacom brands and properties.

He joined Viacom in April 1994 as vp, corporate relations, from Paramount Communications Inc., where he served in various communications posts of increasing responsibility since his 1984 hire. Folta was named svp at Viacom in November 1994.

Melton, evp of government relations, is based in Washington, D.C., and is responsible for managing domestic and international public policy issues concerning Viacom and its operations. She directs the company's public policy strategies and advocacy pertaining to legislative and regulatory matters, including issues before Congress, the executive branch, independent regulatory agencies and other government bodies. Melton supervises the activities of outside firms representing Viacom's government affairs interests as well as its various trade association relationships. She also serves as president of Viacom's Political Action Committee.

Before joining Viacom in 1997, Melton was vp for Law and Public Policy of Time Warner Inc., where she was responsible for the development and advocacy of corporate-wide public policy on legislative and regulatory matters. She joined Warner Communications as its Washington counsel in 1987.

Melton served as legal advisor to FCC chairman Mark Fowler in 1986 and 1987, acting as the chairman's chief advisor for cable, broadcast and other mass media issues. From 1983 to 1986,Melton was assistant general counsel for the National Cable & Telecommunications Assoc. Previously she was an associate in the communications group of the Washington, D.C. law firm of Hogan and Hartson, which she joined in 1981.

Melton serves on the board of trustees of The Media Institute and is a member of the Federal City Council and the Business-Government Relations Council. She has served previously on the board of directors of the National Assoc. of Broadcasters and on the boards of trustees of the Meridian International Center, the Potomac School, the Federal Communications Bar Assoc. Foundation and the Washington Performing Arts Society.

EVP of human resources and administration Roskin continues to be responsible for the company's human resources policies and programs, including compensation and benefits, diversity, employment, employee relations and work-life initiatives, as well as training and development. He is guiding Viacom's labor relations policies and practices. Roskin also manages Viacoms real estate, facilities and corporate travel functions.

Roskin joined Viacom in 1988 as vp of human resources and administration and moved up to svp in July 1992. Roskin was svp, human resources, at Coleco Industries Inc., from 1986 to 1988. He previously spent 10 years with Warner Communications Inc., where he held several executive positions in labor relations, including vp, industrial and labor relations.

From 1971 to 1976, Roskin was general counsel to the City of New York's Department of Personnel and City Civil Service Commission, where he was responsible for all legal issues regarding the relationship between New York City and its employees. He was attorney and senior attorney for RCA Global Communications Inc., where he provided legal counsel on employee relations and labor relations, from 1968 to 1971.

As evp of investor relations, Shea continues to be responsible for all investor relations functions, including shareholder communications and the company's relationships with securities analysts and money managers.

Shea joined Viacom in January 1998 as svp of investor relations. Prior to that, he was svp, corporate communications, Triarc Companies Inc., responsible for all aspects of Triarc's investor relations and public relations activities. Previously, Shea was svp, investor relations, at Paramount Communications Inc., before Viacom acquired Paramount in July 1994.

In December 2003, Shea was named the No. 1-ranked investor relations officer in the media industry by Institutional Investor, and the No. 1-ranked investor relations officer across all industries by INVESTOR RELATIONS MAGAZINE. He is a member of the National Investor Relations Institute (NIRI) and has served as president of the New York chapter.

Viacom (www.viacom.com) is a leading global media company, with preeminent positions in broadcast and cable television, radio, outdoor advertising and online. The company is a leader in the creation, promotion and distribution of entertainment, news, sports, music, and comedy. Viacom's well-known brands include CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, VH1, BET, Paramount Pictures, Infinity Broadcasting, Viacom Outdoor, UPN, TV Land, Comedy Central, CMT: Country Music Television, Spike TV, Showtime and Simon & Schuster.