Bill Roedy is Chairman and Chief Executive, MTV Networks International (MTVNI).
In this capacity he oversees all of MTV Networks’ growing international
channels and multimedia business operations for dozens of brands
including: MTV, Nickelodeon, VH1, VIVA, TMF: The Music Factory, Game
One, Comedy Central and Paramount Comedy. Mr Roedy reports to Judy
McGrath, Chairwoman and CEO of MTV Networks.
BUSINESS
Mr. Roedy, a dedicated internationalist and music lover, was the architect of MTV Networks International’s (MTVNI) successful localisation model which empowered the local operations to embrace both commercial and artistic autonomy, whilst finding the right balance between local and international content. It is this pioneering strategy of respecting and reflecting audience diversity through local language, music and fashion that has led to MTV Networks’ rapid global expansion - throughout Asia-Pacific, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.
Under Mr. Roedy’s leadership, MTVNI has developed and launched hundreds of channels, starting with MTV Europe in 1989. He and his team have built a global operation that now includes over 172 locally programmed and operated TV channels outside the US in more than 162 countries in 33 languages, reaching a potential audience of two billion people.
MTV Networks has also evolved into a global network of brands that produces award-winning content across all platforms with over 70 mobile phone channels and more than 400 digital media properties.
Among the company’s core assets, MTV is one of the Top 10 most recognised consumer brands in the world, a pop culture phenomenon and the #1 global music destination for youth across all platforms. Similarly, Nickelodeon is the most widely distributed kids’ network in the world and the only multimedia entertainment brand dedicated exclusively to them. The company has also successfully expanded its adult business with Comedy Central launches outside the U.S. which to date include 8 localised channels available in 21 countries including Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland and Sweden.
GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP
Targeting issues and concerns that are foremost in young peoples’ minds and that directly impact their lives is part of MTV’s DNA, and Mr. Roedy has been active in a wide range of corporate social responsibility issues, most notably HIV/AIDS and climate change.
Through MTV International’s Staying Alive campaign, Mr. Roedy leads the brand’s global efforts to promote HIV/AIDS education. By tackling the issue both locally and globally, the campaign aims to affect behaviour change and lessen the stigma attached to the disease. The Staying Alive campaign has produced award-winning HIV/AIDS related documentaries, concerts, town halls and public service announcements all of which are made available to all broadcasters’ rights free and at no cost.
Mr. Roedy also serves as the chairman of the Staying Alive Foundation (SAF) which fights the epidemic at the grassroots level, visiting grantees in the hardest hit areas of the world. The foundation has given 230 grants in 50 countries, which MTV aims to double over the next four years.
In 1998, Mr. Roedy was named Ambassador for UNAIDS (the joint United Nations programme on HIV/AIDS) because of his extensive travels and advocacy battling the disease. He has addressed the United Nations General Assembly on several occasions regarding the pandemic, and was the General Assembly keynote speaker, along with Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, at the 2010 Model UN.
Mr. Roedy served as founding Member and Chair of the Global Business
Coalition (GBC) on HIV/AIDS from 1999-2002, significantly increasing the
commitment of the business community around the world to fight the
pandemic. He continues to serve on the GBC board.
In April 2005, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan appointed Mr. Roedy as
founding Chair of the Global Media AIDS Initiative (GMAI) Leadership
Committee. MTVNI was the first media company invited to participate in
the initiative established to galvanise media organisations to play a
stronger role in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The GMAI was launched in
2004 with 22 participants. Under Mr. Roedy’s chairmanship, GMAI has
grown to include 140 companies from 70 countries.
HONORS AND AWARDS
Mr. Roedy has received the following recognition for his business and pro-social leadership:
2010: ICRW Innovation Award, presented by Geeta Rao Gupta, ICRW
President, in conjunction with 100th Anniversary of International
Women’s Day, for his leadership of the Staying Alive HIV/AIDS public
education campaign and its impact on young people around the world.
2009: United Nations Correspondents Association (UNCA) Global Citizen of
the Year Award, presented by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for his work
in HIV/AIDS outreach and for addressing key issues that affect young
people around the world.
2008: Doctors of the World Health and Human Rights Leadership Award, in
recognition of his extraordinary leadership in the cause of health and
human rights.
2008: Cable Positive’s Joel A. Berger Award, the cable industry’s AIDS
action organisation, in recognition of his contributions to the fight
against HIV/AIDS.
2007: AmFAR’s Award of Courage presented by Beyoncé Knowles.
2006: New York AIDS Film Festival Award.
2005: YouthAIDS, Family Health International, and the Kaiser Family
Foundation, in recognition of his services to HIV/AIDS awareness.
2004: International Emmy Founders Award for revolutionising music on
television and supporting the fight against HIV/AIDS around the world.
2003: Midem’s “Person of the Year" for his services to global music.
2002: Award for Individual Business Leadership as Chairman of the
Global Business Coalition, an honour bestowed by US President Bill
Clinton.
BACKGROUND AND EDUCATION
With a TV career that spans over 30 years, Mr. Roedy joined MTV Networks in 1989 as Chief Executive and Managing Director of MTV Europe. He was promoted to Chairman, MTV Networks Europe in 1994, and between 1994 and 2007, he was President, MTV Networks International (MTVNI). Between 2005 and 2008, he also served as Vice Chairman for MTV Networks.
He began his television career at Home Box Office (HBO) in New York in 1979, as Manager, National Accounts, later becoming Vice President for Affiliate Operations, managing the West Coast business, based in Los Angeles, California. In this capacity, he and his team negotiated and implemented distribution across the U.S.
Mr. Roedy is on the Board of Doctors of the World, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, the American School in London and the International Advisory Board of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Mr. Roedy holds an MBA from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Science degree from West Point.
He was a career officer in the US Army for nearly seven years, including Airborne, Ranger and decorated combat service, where he received the Bronze Star, Air Medal, Meritorious Service Medal and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry (with Silver Star). He also served as a commander of three NATO Nuclear Missile bases in Italy.
Mr. Roedy resides in London, England and is both a British and U.S. citizen. He and his wife, Alexandra are the parents of four children.
