MTV direct-response exec out after kickbacks investigation: report

Usually, the TV direct-response advertising beat does not involve terms like “kickbacks” or stories about payments delivered in briefcases. However, The Hollywood Reporter disclosed yesterday that Brian Fays, former SVP at MTV Networks, has left Viacom after the company investigated allegations of a kickback scheme worth millions of dollars.

The entertainment industry trade magazine reported that Fays allegedly offered discounted ad spots to companies in response for cash payments. He oversaw direct-response advertising and paid programming for the company's 17 networks.

Fays, for his part, told THR it should be “very, very careful” about reporting on the matter.