Herzog ‘81, steps down from Viacom

Emerson Trustee Doug Herzog ‘81, president of the Viacom Music and Entertainment Group, announced this week that he is stepping down from his current executive position, effective Jan. 12.

He is credited with creating and producing television shows that changed American culture, as president of MTV Productions in the 1980s and of Comedy Central in the 1990s and more recently as head of the entertainment group since 2004.

Inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame in 2014 for his many contributions to the industry, Herzog has led the development of an extraordinary number of megahit television shows, including The Real World, Unplugged, Road Rules, MTV Movie Awards and MTV Video Music Awards, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, South Park, Broad City, Key & Peele, Inside Amy Schumer, Hot in Cleveland, and Lip Sync Battle.

“I was given a front row seat at the center of pop culture and an opportunity to redefine it a few times along the way,” Herzog wrote in a memo to his staff, reflecting on his career. “It was a helluva run, and I would wish it on anyone. I loved every minute of it.”

Emerson College President Lee Pelton says Herzog has been and remains a great friend and supporter of the College. “Doug embodies the four C’s that we associate with an Emerson education, the capacities that the world can’t get enough of today: creativity, critical thinking, collaboration and communication. We wish him the very best.”