MTV reality boss Lauren Dolgen exits
The revolving door at Viacom spun again on Tuesday with the exit of MTV reality programming boss Lauren Dolgen.
Dolgen, who had been with the network for 19 years, was instrumental in the launch of the popular “16 and Pregnant”/”Teen Mom” franchise. The position will not be replaced.
Her departure marks another high-level executive exit from parent company Viacom in recent years as the company faces internal pressure to boost performance. Just last week came the exit of Nickelodeon veteran Russell Hicks, and last month saw the departure of Michele Ganeless as Comedy Central president. Viacom has been roiled by questions surrounding who will lead the company, which is controlled by its ailing, 93-year-old chairman, Sumner Redstone.
Dolgen was promoted to the position in March 2015, previously serving as head of West Coast Reality and executive vice president of series development, as part of the restructuring and consolidating at Viacom. At the time, MTV underwent a round of layoffs, and the network streamlined its West Coast and East Coast operations.
When Susanne Daniels departed as head of programming last year, there were no plans to fill her position. Instead, Dolgen and her scripted counterpart Mina Lefevre served as co-heads of programming. They reported to then-MTV president Stephen Friedman.
Her exit comes as the network has overhauled its executive roster. MTV has struggled in recent years to reverse its flagging ratings.
Discovery’s Sean Atkins was tapped to replace Friedman, who stepped down last fall, as network president last fall. He brought in Conde Nast veteran Michael Klein earlier this year as head of programming. Dolgen and Lefevre reported to Klein. (Lefevre will remain at MTV.)
Viacom Entertainment Group President Doug Herzog, in an internal memo obtained by The Times, said Dolgen’s “fingerprints and great work are all over MTV and it’s [sic] original programming.”
Klein, in his comments, noted some of unscripted series she helped develop, including “Rob and Big,” “Viva La bam,” and “Ridiculousness.”
“It’s a track record I admired long before I walked in the door,” he wrote.
Twitter: @villarrealy
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