NAB Show Presents 'Conversation' With Mel Karmazin

Mel Karmazin

Mel Karmazin, the former head of SiriusXM, CBS and Viacom, will share his insights on the current and future state of media in a conversation with Wall Street Journal media and entertainment reporter Joe Flint on Tuesday, April 14 from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. at the NAB Show in Las Vegas.

The General Session, "Mel Karmazin Totally Unplugged: Cocktails and Conversation," is open to all NAB Show attendees and will feature complimentary beverages, including beer and wine.

"Mel Karmazin is a legend in the media business who helped build multiple media empires throughout his extraordinary career," said NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith. "We are thrilled to have him speak at our show and look forward to this uniquely candid conversation with one of the industry's greatest entrepreneur and business strategists."

Mel Karmazin served as CEO and member of the board of directors of SiriusXM from 2008 until 2013 when he retired. Prior to that, he served as CEO and member of the board of directors of Sirius Satellite Radio from 2004 until its merger with XM Satellite Radio.

Previously, he was president and COO of Viacom from 2000 until 2004. Karmazin served on the Viacom board of directors and was responsible for overseeing all of Viacom's operations. Prior to that, he served as president, CEO, and member of the board of directors of CBS Corp. from January 1999 to May 2000. Before becoming chief executive officer, he was president and chief operating officer of CBS Corp. from April 1998 to January 1999.

He joined CBS in January 1997 as chairman and CEO of CBS Radio through a merger of Westinghouse/CBS and Infinity Broadcasting. He had served as Infinity's president and CEO from 1981 until Infinity became a wholly owned subsidiary of Viacom in 2001. He was named chairman and CEO of CBS Station Group in 1997. Prior to Infinity, Karmazin spent 10 years with Metromedia.