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Raffaele Annecchino Dies at 55

His sudden death removes a key architect of Paramount’s international streaming strategy who built wide partnership networks that reshaped global distribution.

Overview

  • His press office confirmed over the weekend that Annecchino died in the Balearic Islands of acute meningitis at age 55.
  • He spent more than 25 years at Viacom and Paramount, rising from a commercial role in Madrid to lead Paramount International’s operations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Asia.
  • As Paramount’s international chief he drove the overseas rollout of Paramount+, backed the global expansion of free streamer Pluto TV and helped create the SkyShowtime joint venture with Comcast.
  • After leaving Paramount in 2022 he founded Blue Ocean Media Partners and worked as an adviser to clients including Mediapro Middle East from offices in Madrid and Dubai.
  • Industry leaders paid public tribute to his dealmaking and leadership, and his loss could complicate ongoing partnerships and advisory projects where he served on boards or led strategic negotiations.