About Monty

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Monty Sarhan currently works at Viacom, where he has worked for over four years in various capacities.

He is currently a Senior Vice President at MTV Networks and handles business affairs for EPIX, the premium movie network that is a joint venture of Paramount Pictures, MGM, Lionsgate and Viacom. He reports to the CEO of EPIX and the General Counsel of MTV Networks.

Monty handles a range of corporate transactions, including digital distribution and technology development deals. In addition, he also handles the network's programming deals--both acquisitions (output titles, library films, documentaries, digital content) and original comedy specials and concerts (some recent EPIX specials include Lewis Black, Craig Ferguson, Eddie Izzard, Kevin Smith, Black Eyed Peas, Madonna and Britney Spears).

He also works with the CEO and EVP of Operations on business development opportunities, including "TV Everywhere" initiatives with cable and satellite operators. EPIX is currently available in over 30 million homes and is distributed through Verizon, Cox, Charter, DISH Network and other national distributors.

Prior to EPIX, Monty was a Vice President at Viacom's MTV Networks division, which encompasses several cable networks including MTV, VH1, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon and Spike as well as over 50 leading Internet properties. He handled console and online gaming transactions, including work for the MTV Games group as well as Viacom's then-subsidiary, Harmonix Music Systems. These included software development, promotions and marketing events, deals with leading retailers, and transactions involving console manufacturers Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo. Monty worked on the launch of the Rock Band franchise, which included multiple sequels and the launch of The Beatles: Rock Band. He also served on the Viacom-wide Gaming Council.

Before joining Viacom, Monty founded and ran two separate start-ups. The first was in the financial services/technology space. Monty concluded exclusive deals with Ameritrade and NASDAQ's technology arm to provide trading systems to emerging stock markets and banks in developing markets.

Monty was the sole founder and CEO of his second start-up, which was in the entertainment space. He acquired and relaunched the famous CRACKED comedy brand, repositioning it for an entirely new demographic (18-34 males), and changing its format entirely by transitioning from a comics magazine to digital property (CRACKED.com) that featured daily written satire and comedy pieces on pop culture, sports and current events. Monty also worked to leverage the brand into new areas, including television and publishing projects.

He began his career practicing law in the New York office of White & Case, LLP, a multi-national law firm. Monty was an associate in the corporate department and handled a range of transactions with a focus on IP-related work. He worked with clients including E*Trade, Pfizer, and the NFL.

A graduate of Duke University School of Law, Monty earned his undergraduate degree from Tufts University. He is married and lives with his wife and daughter in Manhattan.

Education

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Tufts University / Medford, Massachusetts

Bachelor of Arts in History & Political Science

Duke University / Durham, North Carolina

Juris Doctor, with focus on intellectual property & entertainment law