Rafael Annicino, the former Italian president and CEO of Paramount International, died suddenly over the weekend while on vacation in the Balearic Islands of meningitis, his press office announced. He was 55 years old.
Over the course of more than 25 years at Paramount and Viacom/CBS starting in the late 1990s, Annicino rose from an early business position in Madrid to oversee the company’s operations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Asia.
As president of Paramount International, Annecchino helped the company transition from traditional broadcasting to digital platforms. He has led the overseas launch of Paramount+, supported the global expansion of Pluto TV and championed innovation, digitalization and strategic partnerships.
He was also instrumental in the 2022 creation of SkyShowtime, a joint venture between Paramount and Comcast.
Renowned for his negotiation skills, Annecchino has worked closely with key players across the global media ecosystem, including Sky, Canal+, MultiChoice, Viaplay, Corus, J:COM, Claro and Mediapro.
He has overseen the growth of networks such as MTV, Nickelodeon, BET, Channel 5 in the UK, Network 10 in Australia, Telefe in Argentina and Cilevisión in Chile and supported the development of production centers across Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America.
He assumed the role of President and CEO of ViacomCBS Networks International in December 2020.
“What sad news. Rafa was a force of nature. She was taken too soon,” Bob Bakish, former Paramount president and CEO, said on social media. “He will be missed by many. May he rest in peace.”
After leaving Paramount, in 2023 Anichino founded Blue Ocean Media Partners, a global consulting firm focused on innovation, transformation, and growth, as its managing partner and CEO.
Born in 1971 in Ivrea, Italy, Annicino graduated from IE Business School in Madrid with an MBA. He also completed a media executive program at Harvard Business School and INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France.
He has also served on the boards of Viacom 18 India, SBS Media in South Korea and SkyShowtime.
“Raphael was a highly regarded colleague and dear friend,” Alex Okosi, former managing director of Paramount Africa and current managing director of Google Africa, said in a statement. “Having worked with him through years of international growth and transformation, I have seen first-hand his rare ability to combine acute business instinct and strategic vision with genuine warmth, humanity and optimism.
“He built lasting confidence, inspired those around him to think bigger, and always made time for people. His impact on the global media industry is undeniable, but for those lucky enough to have known and worked with him, his warmth, generosity and spirit will be just as great.”
