nearly every company, including hiring Jim Gianopulos - formerly chairman and CEO of 20th Century Fox, as the new chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures. In 2018, Bakish's implementation of his five-point comprehensive strategy was credited with Viacom's much improved finances and improved company morale and focus. In 2018, under Bakish's direction and in accordance with his plan to capture younger and digital markets, Viacom acquired digital platform WhoSay, internet video conference VidCon, and online television network AwesomenessTV. In early 2018, Bakish also announced the launch of an official Viacom streaming service, which will support ads and will include series and content from Viacom that hasn't been available on other streaming services.<ref>Steinberg, Brian. "Viacom Plots Launch of Streaming Service". Variety. February 28, 2018.</ref> In April 2018, Viacom launched Viacom Digital Studios, which will create new original content hosted on sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat.Jarvey, Natalie. "Viacom Unveils Digital Studio With Series Slate, VidCon Expansion". The Hollywood Reporter. April 30, 2018.Weprin, Alex. "Viacom Formally Introduces Viacom Digital Studios At NewFront". MediaPost. April 30, 2018. In addition, later that June, Bakish announced that Viacom will produce some new series exclusively for Netflix, beginning with Nickelodeon-related content.Nicolaou, Anna. "Viacom strikes Nickelodeon deal with Netflix". Financial Times. September 18, 2018.Amidi, Amid. "As Part Of Major Strategic Shift At Viacom, Nick’s Pinky Malinky Will Debut On Netflix". Cartoon Brew. June 22, 2018. In September 2018, due largely to his turnaround of Viacom, The Hollywood Reporter listed Bakish as #20 in its The Hollywood Reporter'' 100: The Most Powerful People in Entertainment 2018. Bakish retained the role of CEO when CBS Corporation and Viacom reunited under a single company to form Paramount Global (then known as ViacomCBS), which closed on December 4, 2019. Board memberships Bakish has been on the Board of Directors of Paramount since its merger, and previously at Viacom from December 12, 2016 up until the merger. He is also on the Board of Directors at Avid Technology, Inc. He is on the Board of Overseers at Columbia Business School, and is also an active member of its Media & Technology Forum. He is also on the Board of Visitors at Columbia University's School of Engineering and Applied Science. Bakish was previously Chairman of the board of Viacom 18 Media from 2007 until February 28, 2018. He was also Chairman of the Cable Television Advertising Bureau from 2003 to 2005. Personal