Oprah Taps MTV Vet Christina Norman to Lead OWN

Former MTV president Christina Norman has been named CEO of OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network, effective Feb. 17.In her new role, Norman will oversee all business and creative areas of OWN, which is slated to launch in late 2009/early 2010 on what is currently Discovery Health Channel. Based in Los Angeles, she’ll report directly to the OWN board of directors.Norman had been viewed as the odds-on favorite to take the helm of Winfrey’s cable venture as far back as February 2008, when she left MTV after nearly two decades of service. She most recently served as president of the MTV Networks flagship, a role she assumed in 2005. Prior to that, she was president of MTV’s sister network VH1. “This is the job I’ve been working toward my entire career,” Norman said. “To be building a new channel inspired by Oprah Winfrey and backed by Discovery Communications is a challenge I welcome, and I am thrilled to bring their vision for OWN to life.”Along with former Viacom CEO Tom Freston, Norman represented MTV’s old guard, that group of programming and marketing visionaries who were roundly celebrated for placing a premium on creativity and innovation. (Freston also was courted by Winfrey, although he declined to take her up on the offer. Instead, he has served as a special consultant to OWN since last summer.)Norman her career at MTV in 1991 as a freelance production manager and held a succession of positions before being named senior vp for marketing, advertising and on-air promotion. During the 1990s, she was responsible for the short-form visual packaging and design of the network including campaigns for the MTV Video Music Awards and MTV Movie Awards, as well as the launch of the long-running programming block, The 10 Spot.She ultimately led all marketing efforts at MTV, including the launch campaign for the spinoff MTV2.In April 2002, Norman moved over to VH1 as an executive vp and general manager, where she was charged with revitalizing the flagging brand. There, she rolled out a number of hit series, including I Love the ‘80s and Best Week Ever, two launches that helped drive the network’s demo numbers skyward. She assumed the role of president of VH1 in January 2004.“Christina is a strong leader with proven operational skills and a record of creating contemporary and valuable media brands,” said David Zaslav, president and CEO of Discovery Communications. “She is a great fit for OWN and will bring longstanding industry experience to launching the brand across television and digital platforms, and giving consumers a dedicated environment to live their best life.”

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Oprah Taps MTV Vet Christina Norman to Lead OWN

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