Sean Atkins OUT At MTV

Sean Atkins

Sean Atkins, who took over as president of MTV just a year ago, is leaving the TV network, becoming the latest Viacom Inc. executive to head for the exits in recent months.

The Wall Street Jounral reports Atkins will be succeeded by Chris McCarthy, who currently leads VH1 and Logo. Mr. McCarthy will add MTV to his responsibilities and continue to report to Doug Herzog, president of Viacom Music and Entertainment Group.

In a note to staff on Monday, Mr. Atkins said he would stay through January in an advisory role during the transition, calling his stint at MTV an “enriching and rewarding experience.”

At its “upfront” presentation to marketers this spring, Mr. Atkins trumpeted the network’s charge back into music programming.

Chris McCarthy

“Chris has infused every brand he’s led with creativity, strategic clarity and distinctive talent – driving results that defy this extraordinarily competitive landscape,” Herzog said in a statement announcing McCarthy's new title. “MTV is an iconic brand full of opportunity, and Chris has demonstrated the vision and ability to grow its expansive reach and powerful cultural impact.”

McCarthy added: “I’m humbled by the opportunity to lead MTV, the place where I grew up and learned from some of the most gifted, creative and genuine leaders. The power of the MTV brand is its ability to let go everything it knows and reinvent for the next generation of youth, and I’m excited to push the boundaries of what it can be in this transformative time.”

Atkins' departure is just the latest exit from MTV, which in 2015 saw president of programming Susanne Daniels leave for a similar post at YouTube and MTV Networks Music & Logo Group president Van Toffler leave in February of that year after a 28-year run at the company. MTV reality head Lauren Dolgen also left just four months ago, after a 19-year run at the network.