MUMBAI: Viacom Inc has appointed Alex Berkett to the position of senior vice president, corporate development.

In this role, Berkett will lead the company’s global corporate development and mergers and acquisitions functions. Based in New York, he will report directly to Viacom CFO Wade Davis.

Berkett will identify and develop growth opportunities for Viacom and its brands, including partnerships, acquisitions, investments and joint ventures. He will also work closely with senior executives across the company to advise on and lead deal negotiations.

Berkett joins Viacom from Townsquare Media, a publicly-held diversified local media company he co-founded in 2010. At Townsquare, he served as executive vice president, responsible for corporate development, mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, investor relations and a variety of other senior functions.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Alex to Viacom, where he will oversee our efforts to forge new partnerships, explore opportunities in innovative new businesses and help advance the company’s strategic goals. Viacom is committed to continued investment in key areas of growth, and Alex’s deep knowledge of media, strong transactional track record and entrepreneurial background make him the right choice to expand our capabilities in new and exciting ways. Alex is a proven leader and has the skills and experience to hit the ground running,” said Davis.

Prior to his work at Townsquare, Berkett worked in J.P. Morgan’s Technology, Media & Telecom Investment Banking Group, which he joined following the firm’s acquisition of Bear, Stearns & Co. Berkett spent eleven years in the investment banking division of Bear Stearns, rising to managing director, where he focused on merger and acquisition advisory for media and entertainment companies.