The Moonves Legacy gets the time of a stage at CBS Upfront In Exec Comments, Stephen Colbert Burn – Deadline

A year ago, Les Moonves was warmly applauded by advertisers for resisting the bustle of business. On Wednesday, the legacy of the former CEO reappeared in the place where he integrated an annual exhibition of his power – and that of the network – the initial presentation at Carnegie Hall.

"It turns out that the Moonves have been totally exonerated. I did not see it coming! ", The evening host, Stephen Colbert, cracked, pulling a mixture of gasps and laughter. "There must be one," he added with a smile.

However, in terms of management's comments, the former CEO, who had been charged with sexual assault and harassment by more than a dozen women, nodded (although it was not his name). ) and was ousted in September.

Joe Ianniello, the long-time former leader who won the interim title in September and was extended three months later, was congratulated by Creative Director David Nevins. He said that Ianniello had "stabilized the ship" so that the company could "build on its success and innovate in the future".

Jo Ann Ross, the director of ad sales who launched the campaign, pointed out that the tragedy of the network Madam secretary received a #SeeHer initiative award for gender representation. "We still have some way to go," she conceded, "but we have never had a better time to be the change we want to see. It's important for you and for us. "

During a segment devoted to CBS News headed by Susan Zirinsky, head of the division, who succeeded David Rhodes in the midst of a series of scandals that took place in the context of the Great Depression. Moonves, Gayle King paid tribute to his new boss. "We love it in the building!" Exclaimed King. "We feel really good in our direction."

Former CEO Les Moonves

As he climbed onto the stage in May 2018, surprising many observers who were waiting for him to attend, Moonves began by asking, "So, how do you go about it? did you spend your week? " At the time, the line was too long because the former CEO had just launched the legal challenge with the majority shareholder National Amusements, filed after merger talks between CBS and Viacom, s & # 39; collapsed in the middle of a great acrimony. Moonves was sensed by NAI leader Shari Redstone, who apparently would not agree with him that Ianniello should be the number 2 of a merged company.

Just three months after the start of the process, Moonves was missing, marking the beginning of a period of dramatic change for the 90-year-old media company. Prior to 2018, CBS was presented with maximum bragging – offering a range of high-scope offerings enriched by the Super Bowl to media buyers who seemed eager to override the intrigue of the company. business and continue on its winning streak. The 2019 edition hit a lot of those notes and was no less confident in a show that is brimming with references to the "most watched network," but it was striking for its glimpse of a company working to the restoration of its culture.

Ianniello, whose board of directors has recently extended his interim leadership until the end of 2019, has taken many steps to reassure the industry and Wall Street that Moonves' worst deal is behind it.

Kelly Kahl, former Moonves protégé who rose through the ranks at the helm of CBS Entertainment, closed the show by deliberately leaving the previous editions. "CBS has had a whole year," he said. While "only a few of us" have the floor on the Carnegie Hall scene, there is an "army" of workers advancing society, Kahl said. "This team – and this is a team – has been performing well. And I've never been so proud to be on this stage. "