Justin Dini, who directed communications to Viacom, then continued to direct this business function in the midst of several mergers, transactions, controversies and rebounds, leaves the company.
Dini joined Viacom in 2017 after a visit to the corporate communication company Blue-Blood Brunswick, under the former CEO Bob Bakish. In 2019, the company acquired the release of free streaming Pluto TV and thanked with the brothers and sisters of the CBS Corp. company, rebuilt under the name of Viacomcbs. In parallel with Covid’s uncertainty, Dini remained in his role in controlling the national entertainment of shareholders chose to sell his interest in Paramount in Skydance, then to close fully with the company.
The Paramount-Skydance agreement concluded last month. Melissa Zuckerman, former co-chief of the main public relations company communications and longtime advisor to the SKYDANCE CEO, David Ellison, was appointed communications director at Paramount while the merger was closed.
In an internal memo, Dini stressed the fact that he and his colleagues “lived a lot together”. His ironic list included “Ancreoises and Restructures, mergers and acquisitions, a pandemic, the occasional trial and more than a few pivots and peaks”. He praised his team’s efforts in the name of Paramount, “even in the most difficult moments.”
He also included a cry to Zuckerman. “Mel and I worked in close collaboration throughout this transition and I am grateful for its partnership. I know that the work is in big hands, and I will continue to be a resource for it and the team while it enters the role.
Here is Dini’s full note:
The first day to what was then Viacom in 2017, I entered a war hall – and, in many ways, I never left.
Over the past eight years, we have gone through a lot of things together: the Dutch and restructures, mergers and acquisitions, a pandemic, occasional trial and more than a few pivots and peaks. The only constant that defined my time in this company through all of this was the quality of the people with whom I had the opportunity to work: the best of the company, which brings equal measures of humanity, generosity, expertise and commitment. This team presents itself every day to tell the story of Paramount – and does it for a purpose, even in the most difficult moments.
I feel extremely lucky to have been part of this team. I had the chance to work on stories that were counting, to sail in a rapidly evolving landscape alongside colleagues, I respect deeply and to be part of a team that cares not only about work, but the other. It’s rare. And that’s something I will always wear with me.While I look at my next chapter, I am also aware of the next step for the team. Mel and I worked in close collaboration throughout this transition and I am grateful for its partnership. I know that the work is in big hands, and I will continue to be a resource for it and the team while it enters the role.
It was the journey – and the privilege – of a life to help guide this emblematic enterprise through a period of enormous and transformational change.
Thank you again – for confidence, partnership and good humor along the way. Although Friday is my last day, I will always be a phone call – and I will encourage you from afar.
Best,
Justin
