Laurel Weir Named SVP of Research for Viacom Brands

Media researcher Laurel Weir has been named Senior Vice President of Research for Viacom brands Paramount Network, TV Land and CMT. Her role includes overseeing consumer insights, trend forecasting and multiplatform measurement.

Weir (pictured) transfers from sister company MTV, where she served as SVP, Strategic Insights and Research, and before that worked for as SVP of Strategic Insights and Research for Viacom Kids and Family Group. Earlier, she worked for TV Land as a lead strategist behind its rebrand, helping develop audience targets for the network's comedy series including 'Younger' and 'Teachers'.

In her new role, Weir is tasked with shaping the strategic rebrand of Spike TV into Paramount Network, launching next January. She will report to Colleen Fahey Rush, EVP Insights & Audience Science, and CRO of Viacom Media Networks; and she will work closely with Kevin Kay, President of Paramount Network, TV Land and CMT. Commenting on the news, Rush said: 'Laurel possesses an astute sense of the competitive adult marketplace and television landscape that will be invaluable in our rebrand of Spike into Paramount Network. She is a bold forward-thinker and we are thrilled to have her in this vital role'.

Web site: www.viacom.com .