Justin Dini, who steered communications at Viacom and then continued to lead that corporate function amid multiple mergers, transactions, controversies and rebrandings, is departing the company.
Dini joined Viacom in 2017 after a stint at blue-blood corporate communications firm Brunswick, reporting to former CEO Bob Bakish. In 2019, the company acquired free streaming outlet Pluto TV and re-merged with corporate sibling CBS Corp., rebranding itself as ViacomCBS. Along with the uncertainty of Covid, Dini remained in his role as controlling shareholder National Amusements opted to sell its interest in Paramount to Skydance and then merge fully with the company.
The Paramount-Skydance deal closed last month. Melissa Zukerman, former co-head of PR firm Principal Communications and a longtime adviser to Skydance CEO David Ellison, was named Chief Communications Officer at Paramount as the merger was closing.
In an internal memo, Dini highlighted the fact that he and his colleagues have “been through a lot together.” His wry list included “rebrands and restructures, mergers and acquisitions, a pandemic, the occasional lawsuit, and more than a few pivots and peaks.” He saluted his team’s efforts on behalf of Paramount, “even in the most challenging moments.”
He also included a shoutout to Zukerman. ” Mel and I have worked together closely throughout this transition and I’m grateful for her partnership. I know the work is in great hands, and I’ll continue to be a resource for her and the team as she steps into the role.
Here is Dini’s full memo:
On my very first day at what was then Viacom in 2017, I walked into a war room—and, in many respects, I never left.
Over the past eight years we’ve been through a lot together—rebrands and restructures, mergers and acquisitions, a pandemic, the occasional lawsuit, and more than a few pivots and peaks. The one constant that has defined my time at this company through it all has been the quality of the people I’ve had the opportunity to work with: the very best in the business, who bring equal measures of humanity, generosity, expertise, and commitment. This team shows up each day to tell Paramount’s story—and does so with purpose, even in the most challenging moments. I feel enormously lucky to have been part of this team. I’ve had the chance to work on stories that mattered, to navigate a fast-changing landscape alongside colleagues I deeply respect, and to be part of a team that cares not only about the work, but about one another. That’s rare. And it’s something I’ll always carry with me.
As I look ahead to my next chapter, I’m also mindful of what’s next for the team. Mel and I have worked together closely throughout this transition and I’m grateful for her partnership. I know the work is in great hands, and I’ll continue to be a resource for her and the team as she steps into the role.
It has been the ride—and the privilege—of a lifetime to help shepherd this iconic company through a period of enormous and transformational change.
Thank you again—for the trust, the partnership, and the good humor along the way. While Friday is my last day, I’ll always be a phone call away—and will be cheering you on from afar.
Best,Justin
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