NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA) and CBS (NYSE: CBS.A and CBS) today jointly announced that Doretha (DeDe) Lea has been named Executive Vice President, Global Public Policy and Government Relations of ViacomCBS, effective upon closing of the proposed merger between Viacom and CBS.

In her role, Lea will oversee all government affairs and public policy work for the combined company domestically and internationally. She will report to Bob Bakish, President and Chief Executive Officer of Viacom, who will serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of ViacomCBS upon close.

“DeDe has been an incredible advocate for Viacom, our audiences and the creative community over the past two decades,” said Bakish. “She brings unmatched experience, relationships and leadership to this role, and we’re thrilled she will serve as the voice of ViacomCBS in Washington and in the highest levels of government around the world.”

Lea has served as Executive Vice President, Global Government Affairs of Viacom since 2013, having previously served as Executive Vice President, Government Relations beginning in 2005. Her career at Viacom began in 1997 as its Vice President of Government Relations, and continued as the department’s Senior Vice President. Previously, she was Vice President of Government Affairs for Dallas-based television broadcasting company Belo Corporation, and as Senior Vice President of Government Relations for the National Association of Broadcasters.

Lea obtained a J.D. from Georgetown Law, and graduated cum laude from Howard University with a B.A. in Broadcast Management. She currently sits on the boards of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and the MedStar Washington Hospital Center.

The proposed merger remains subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. It is expected to close by the 2019 calendar year end.

About Viacom

Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA) creates entertainment experiences that drive conversation and culture around the world. Through television, film, digital media, live events, merchandise and solutions, its brands connect with diverse, young and young at heart audiences in more than 180 countries.

For more information on Viacom and its businesses, visit http://www.viacom.com. Keep up with Viacom news by following it on Twitter (twitter.com/Viacom), Facebook (facebook.com/Viacom) and LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/Viacom).

About CBS

CBS Corporation (NYSE: CBS.A and CBS) is a mass media company that creates and distributes industry-leading content across a variety of platforms to audiences around the world. The Company has businesses with origins that date back to the dawn of the broadcasting age as well as new ventures that operate on the leading edge of media. CBS owns the most-watched television network in the U.S. and one of the world’s largest libraries of entertainment content, making its brand –“the Eye” – one of the most-recognized in business. The Company’s operations span virtually every field of media and entertainment, including cable, publishing, local TV, film and interactive. CBS’ businesses include CBS Television Network, The CW (a joint venture between CBS Corporation and Warner Bros. Entertainment), Network 10 Australia, CBS Television Studios, CBS Global Distribution Group, CBS Consumer Products, CBS Home Entertainment, CBS Interactive, CBS All Access, the Company’s direct-to-consumer digital streaming subscription service, CBS Sports Network, CBS Films, Showtime Networks, Pop, Smithsonian Networks, Simon & Schuster, CBS Television Stations and CBS Experiences. For more information, go to http://www.cbscorporation.com.