>> Match point: The Tennis Channel Inc. netted TV-industry vet John Brady as executive VP, CFO, and secretary… Brady joins the 24/7 cable network devoted to tennis, which is set to launch this fall, after six years as president of his own consulting firm… That company dispenses M&A advice to cable-TV industry… Brady can dispense advice to himself now…
Brady’s qualifications as a TV consultant come from a career in television programming at such companies as Viacom and prime-time hit factory Spelling Entertainment… At Viacom, where he worked for 16 years, he was SVP and CFO of the company’s Cable Networks Group, which includes MTV, Showtime, The Movie Channel, VH-1, Nickelodeon, and Viacom’s one-third interest in Lifetime Television… During that time, Brady played major role in development of Showtime and Lifetime channels… He also led acquisitions of The Movie Channel and Spotlight Network…
Brady also served as CFO of Viacom’s Entertainment Group… After Viacom’s spin-off from CBS, he oversaw reporting and accounting for television programs inherited from CBS… After Viacom’s 1988 acquisition by Sumner Redstone, Brady left company to become SVP, CFO, and treasurer of Spelling Entertainment (Baywatch, etc.)… In 1993, Brady left Spelling after company’s acquisition by Blockbuster… He then joined British entertainment company ITC Entertainment, where he helped sell the company to Polygram Film Entertainment…
Viacom connection not insignificant for Tennis Channel, whose investors and advisory board are heavily represented by ex-Viacom brass, including Brady himself… Other investors include CEO David Meister, founder and president Steve Bellamy, and tennis legend Pete Sampras… Considering his recent performances on the court, Peter the Great will have plenty of time to watch the Tennis Channel… The Tennis Channel also named Bruce Rider, also an investor, as EVP of programming and marketing…
>> Petsmart Inc. named Timothy Kullman SVP and CFO… Kullman replaces Thomas Liston, who has served as interim CFO since December 2001… Kullman’s last job was as EVP and CFO for Hagemeyer North America Holdings Inc., a wholly owned division of Dutch distribution company Hagemeyer… Before that, was finance chief of regional grocery chains Genuardi’s Family Markets and Delchamps Inc….
>> Roddy Murray suiting up for CFO post at British menswear retailer Moss Bros…. Murray replaces Richard Scott, who’s leaving amid plenty of takeover speculation about Moss Bros…. Clothier sustained heavy losses after company, known for its tuxedos, tried selling casual wear… Apparently cummerbunds don’t go well with chinos…
Moss Bros. trying to bounce back with management overhaul… Murray third executive hired by company since March, when Adrian Wright joined as CEO… Moss Bros. billing Murray as expert at retail-chain turnaround… His last job was at British chain Mackays Stores, where he implemented a four-year recovery plan, getting it in good enough shape for it to be acquired… That deal, in which son of founder of Mackays bought remaining shares of company from founder’s other son, went through in December… Mackays, one of the U.K.’s best known department stores, started as a pawnshop in 1833… We thought you’d like to know…