Interview: David Kline, Viacom

Speaking in advance of his scheduled appearance at the ‘New Now Next: The Definitive Roadmap’ session at IBC2018, Viacom’s David Kline reflected on the fact that he is “always drawn to examination of what is happening in the industry now, and what is likely to happen next. And, of course, at the moment there is a phenomenal amount of change taking place in the global media business…”

With a long and distinguished career in media, Kline is certainly well-positioned to track this arc of change, although he actually started out in IT-related healthcare before moving into technology consultancy within the Integrated Systems Group. Subsequent to that, Kline moved into media, initially with Rainbow Media Holdings, a subsidiary of Cablevision. He spent the best part of a decade there before joining Discovery Networks as CIO and then, in 2010, Viacom as SVP of Technology and CIO. Six years later, he was appointed to his present role of EVP and Chief Information & Technology Officer.

To say the least, Viacom’s footprint in the global media industry is…