MUMBAI: Bruce Taub has been named Viacom executive vice-president, operations, a newly created position at the company. The announcement was made by Viacom co-president/ co-chief operation officer, CBS chairman Leslie Moonves.

Taub will be involved in setting development and financial objectives and helping to identify key operational and strategic issues for the Viacom divisions under Moonves' aegis. These include CBS, UPN, King World Productions, Paramount Television, Paramount Domestic Television, CBS Paramount International Television, Infinity Broadcasting, the Viacom Television Stations Group and Viacom Outdoor.

Taub, who will assume his new duties immediately, will also continue to serve as executive vice-president and chief financial officer of CBS, informed a press release.

"Bruce has been an essential member of my management team since I first came to CBS," said Moonves. "Under his watch, we have improved profitability, and achieved significant cost savings across the board while providing investment necessary for growth. To put it simply, Bruce is the consummate pro, and I look forward to continuing to work with him in this new, expanded role."

Taub was most recently CBS executive vice-president and chief financial officer. Previously, he was CBS television senior vice-president and chief financial officer, added the release.