Viacom Takeover Forces Out Paramount’s Jaffe

Midway through his six-year contract, Paramount Communications Inc. President Stanley Jaffe got word Monday that there will not be a role for him after Viacom completes its acquisition.

According to a well-placed source, Jaffe was informed of the decision by Paramount Chairman Martin S. Davis, who was the only Paramount executive to attend a meeting of Viacom executives in Vail, Colo., last week, where Blockbuster executives were also in attendance.

The ouster of Jaffe was widely expected because Viacom already has a strong No. 2 man to manage Paramount in Frank Biondi. Jaffe declined to comment on his status Monday. One report has valued his exit package in stock and stock options at about $60 million.

Jaffe’s plans are undisclosed. Sherry Lansing, his former producing partner, is telling friends that she expects to remain as Paramount Pictures chief under the new regime. Earlier speculation had Jaffe, a sports fan, trying to buy basketball’s New York Knicks and ice hockey’s New York Rangers from Paramount, but the company recently said those assets are not for sale. Some sources say Jaffe will probably return to producing.

* John Sykes, one of the original forces behind MTV, has been named president of VH-1, the video music and entertainment network that is part of the MTV family. He replaces Ed Bennett, who resigned to pursue other activities. Sykes previously worked at EMI Music Publishing Worldwide.

* 20th Century Fox named John A. Matoian president of a new unit that will specialize in producing family pictures. A former CBS executive, Matoian will head the unnamed unit, expected to produce six feature films a year.

* Ticketmaster Corp. has hired Marc Bension as executive vice president and chief operating officer. Bension, who will run day-to-day operations, was president of MCA Concerts from 1981 until earlier this year.

* Whittle Communications has hired Philips Consumer Electronics Chief Executive Donald F. Johnstone as its new president and chief executive, a position that had been vacant since 1989.

* Universal Pictures is revamping its national sales and distribution area, adding responsibilities for Senior Vice President Nikki Rocco and promoting both Mark Gaines and Nick Carpou to senior vice presidents and national sales managers. Universal has also promoted Albert Quaedvliegto vice president and division manager.

* MCA Music Entertainment Group has named Alex Melnyk to the new position of vice president of interactive media. Larry Vallon has been promoted to vice president of MCA Entertainment Services, part of MCA’s music operation.

* Stephanie Morton was named executive director of pay-per-view and ancillary markets for the video division of Paramount Pictures’ motion picture group.

* Nancy Lesser has been promoted to vice president of West Coast media relations for HBO.

* MTV has named John Shea senior vice president of ad trade marketing. Susan Danaher has been promoted to vice president of regional advertising sales.

* ITC Entertainment Group has promoted Kelley Feldsott Reynolds director of worldwide acquisitions.

* MCA Inc. said Jesse Sperry, vice president of administration for studio facilities, will assume the duties of Director of Corporate Materiel Roel Escalante, who is retiring today.

* Veteran radio executive Eddie Kritzer has been named executive vice president of Cash Box magazine.

* Rysher Entertainment has named Christopher Jacquemin research analyst.

* Mitch Horwits has been named managing director of Spelling Films International, overseeing the company’s international film operation.