Viacom Names Chief of New Media, Interactive TV

Viacom Inc. has appointed Edward D. Horowitz chairman and chief executive for new media and interactive television.

The new division combines Viacom’s new-media and interactive television assets with those of recently acquired Paramount Communications Inc., including Viacom New Media and Paramount Technology Group.

Horowitz said he is in the process of reviewing assets of the combined companies to determine if there is any overlap. He plans to visit Paramount’s Palo Alto-based technology group Wednesday.

Horowitz will also oversee Viacom’s interactive television test in Castro Valley, Calif.; Paramount’s licensing and merchandising organization, and information systems development throughout the company.

Kenneth A. August, a partner in charge of Deloitte & Touche’s entertainment practice, has joined the entertainment law firm Ziffren, Brittenham & Branca as a partner. He will work on the firm’s business in strategic planning and corporate transactions.

Warner Bros. has named Michael Laney vice president of operations for its feature animation division.

Gregory Goeckner has been named deputy director and special counsel of the Motion Picture Export Assn. of America’s worldwide anti-piracy operation.

Michael J. Schnapp has been named vice president of rock music for EMI Records Group’s ERG.

TriStar Pictures President Marc Platt has been named chairman of the entertainment industries division for the 1994-95 United Jewish Fund Campaign. Paramount Motion Pictures Group Chairman Sherry Lansing and Sony Pictures Entertainment Chairman Peter Guber are co-chairs of the division.

Robert L. Carberry, who was involved in IBM’s interactive efforts, has been named vice president of technology at video rental giant Blockbuster Entertainment.

Carlos De Abreu has been named chairman and chief operations officer of Beverly Hills-based C.C.S. Entertainment.