Bakish, Robert

Robert Marc “Bob” Bakish is an American media executive best known for his leadership at Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS). Born in New Jersey in 1963, he earned a B.S. in operations research and an M.B.A. from Columbia University. Bakish joined Viacom in 1997, serving in several senior roles including international operations, planning, development, and advertising. He became President & CEO of Viacom in December 2016, then led the company through its reunification with CBS to become ViacomCBS (later Paramount Global) in 2019. Under his leadership the company emphasized streaming, global expansion, and revitalizing its core media brands. In April 2024, he stepped down as CEO amidst mounting pressures in the market and discussions of restructuring.

Bakish grew up in Englewood where he began to play rock and blues guitar. He graduated from Dwight-Englewood School. His mother, Ellen, still resides in Englewood. Ellen Bakish has been an active member of the League of Women Voters of Northern Valley.