More on the changes at MTV, well, kind of. The music network's UK chief Michiel Bakker is quitting, which is quite big news because he has been with MTV for almost twenty years, ie ever since its August 1987 launch in Europe. Bakker's departure comes amid a massive restructure at the music broadcaster, which has seen 250 jobs cut in the US, and a further 250 jobs axed outside America. Though MTV say the UK chief's departure is unrelated to the restructure. A successor will be recruited, though Senior VP and MD Music & Comedy Heather Jones and Senior VP Finance & Operations Richard Tan will oversee his areas of responsibility in the meantime.
In a statement, Bakker told reporters: "I have had a great time at MTV Networks. In my time here I have seen the company grow from a single TV channel to a portfolio of great multi-media brands, spawning an entire generation on the way and never losing its cool. The company has a great and challenging future ahead of it but I have decided it is time to turn the music off and see where life takes me".
MTV Networks Vice-chairman Bill Roedy added: "As one of the first employees of MTVN Europe, he helped establish far-reaching distribution for MTV across the continent. In recent years, Michiel has helped build our strong multi-brand portfolio of TV channels and digital media services in the UK making it our largest international business".
Although not technically part of the company's restructure, Bakker is the latest in a string of high profile MTV execs to quit the company since overall global chief Tom Freston's resignation last September.