Kurt Patat has been named head of communications for Paramount Network, adding oversight of the new network to his current duties at CMT.
As senior vice president of communications for both Paramount and CMT, Patat will lead corporate communications, media relations, internal communications, and oversee publicity teams in New York, Los Angeles and Nashville for both brands. He will report to Kevin Kay, President of Paramount Network, TV Land and CMT.
“After masterfully elevating the profiles for several of Viacom’s brands, Kurt’s arrival at Paramount Network is key to becoming a fan-favorite home for quality scripted and unscripted programming,” Kay said in a statement. “He’s a great leader who’s savvy, tactical, highly-creative, and very passionate about our brands.”
Patat takes over for David Schwarz, who was promoted Tuesday to senior vice president of marketing and communications for Viacom’s sports franchise, Bellator.
Patat has been at Viacom since 2010, previously serving in various communications roles for MTV, VH1 and Logo.
He joined CMT as SVP in 2015, where he led press campaigns for shows and events such as “Nashville,” “Party Down South,” “CMT Music Awards,” and “CMT Artists of the Year.”