The integration process related to the merger of Viacom and CBS will be managed inside each organization by Viacom Chief Transformation Officer Jose Tolosa and CBS EVP, Strategic Planning and Development Gautam Ranji.
In addition, the companies are forming an Integration Management Office (IMO). News of the IMO, the executive appointments and the hiring of Bain & Company as a merger consultant came via an internal memo to employees from Bob Bakish. Currently Viacom CEO, Bakish will soon be head of ViacomCBS. The $30 billion, all-stock transaction is expected to close by the end of 2019.
The IMO will be comprised of representatives from both Viacom and CBS. It “will draw from the support of many of you across our organization to ensure that ViacomCBS is ready to operate effectively as a combined company on Day 1,” Bakish wrote. Tolosa and Ranji, he added, “bring a wealth of experience to their new roles, and they’ve already started working together to make sure this process is thoughtful and balanced.”
Sept. 3