Raffaele Annecchino, the former international chief at Paramount and its predecessor Viacom, has died aged 55 from acute meningitis.
The Italian executive, known for his negotiating skills and business acumen, passed away suddenly over the weekend while in the Balearic Islands, according to his personal office.
The former President and CEO of Paramount International, Networks, Streaming and Studio, was a key figure in the rollouts of BET, MTV and Nickelodeon, and oversaw networks such as 5 in the UK and Ten in Australia. He is credited playing a major part in Paramount+’s international rollout, as well aiding the helping grow European SVoD SkyShowtime and free streamer Pluto TV. He was also on the boards Viacom 18 in India and SBS Media in South Korea.
In total, Annecchino spent more than 25 years at Paramount/Viacom. He had originally joined the Madrid office in a commercial role and rose through the ranks. Further back, he worked at Warner Bros. Discovery predecessor Turner Broadcasting System for the likes of Cartoon Network and CNN.
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After leaving Paramount in 2022, he founded his own global media consultancy, Blue Ocean Media Partners, which he ran as President and CEO, with offices in Madrid and Dubai. Just this year, he joined Mediapro Middle East to provide strategic advice and support.
“Raffaele Annecchino was much more than a boss to me,” wrote Blue Ocean partner Joana Carrion Boulos on LinkedIn. “He was one of those rare people who knew how to lead without making you feel that you were being led. He trusted the people he worked with, gave them space, listened to their ideas and, above all, made them feel valued.”
“Such sad news,” wrote former Paramount President and CEO Bob Bakish, who worked closely with Annecchino for years, on social media. Raffa was a force of nature. Taken way too young. He will be missed by many. May he rest in peace.”
Further tributes came from the likes of former Paramount exec Michael Armstrong, JioHotstar’s Amit Malhotra and Michelle Alberti.