ITV

Category: People

  • Rupert Murdoch looks to step down as 21st Century Fox CEO: reports

    Rupert Murdoch looks to step down as 21st Century Fox CEO: reports

    MUMBAI: Octogenarian media baron Rupert Murdoch is all set to resign from his position as 21st Century Fox CEO, handing over the reigns to his son James Murdoch, as per a CNBC Television report.

     

    According to the report, an announcement on the same is expected soon, with no clear date on when the reorganisation would take place. CNBC reports that while Murdoch will continue to be the executive chairman of Fox, his other son Lachlan will take over as executive co-chairman.

     

    In a statement, Fox said, “The matter of succession is on the agenda at our upcoming, regularly scheduled board meeting.” However the company did not elaborate further.

     

    Rupert Murdoch, who through the Murdoch Family Trust controls 39.4 per cent of the voting shares at Fox, is not expected to change much of what he does day to day as chairman of both Fox and News Corp.

     

    It can be recalled that Fox had earlier attempted the acquisition of Time Warner, a deal which many said, would have reshaped the media industry. As per reports, the deal failed after Time Warner declined to discuss the matter with the Fox leadership.

     

    Meanwhile, with the news of Murdoch stepping down, Fox shares were down 0.27 per cent at $32.89, while News Corp shares were little changed at $14.64 in early trading.

  • Arnab Goswami elevated as president news and editor-in-chief Times Now, ET Now

    Arnab Goswami elevated as president news and editor-in-chief Times Now, ET Now

    MUMBAI: Arnab Goswami has added responsibilities as he now takes over as Times Now and ET Now president-news and editor-in-chief.

     

    Bennett & Coleman managing director Vineet Jain in an official email said, “In order  to reinforce  our commitment to growth,  we would  like to prepare  the future  leadership of the Times Network  with the elevation of Arnab Goswami as president  – news  &  editor-in-chief  Times Now and ET Now.”  

     

    This apart, the network has also elevated Jagdish Mulchandani as he takes charge as president – finance and distribution with immediate effect. In his new role, Mulchandani will continue to lead and drive all strategy and operations for finance and distribution besides traffic and administration across Times Network.

     

    Praising Goswami and his work so far, Jain said, “Arnab has successfully achieved and maintained the leadership position for Times Now in English general news for the past several years. In addition to the Times Now editorial responsibility, he will now  lead the  ET Now  editorial team with immediate effect.”

     

    Jain also highlighted Mulchandani’s successful stint as Times Network CFO. “He has constructed a sharp and effective distribution infrastructure in the last year which has improved our penetration and business performance greatly,” added Jain.

     

    “Times Network has maintained its leadership position over the last several years in the various niches that it operates in. The latest elevations are in line with our commitment to maintain our high growth rate and reinforce our leadership position in all endeavours,” said Times Network CEO & MD MK Anand. 

     

  • Warner Bros. taps Sony’s Loren Schwartz as EVP genre marketing

    Warner Bros. taps Sony’s Loren Schwartz as EVP genre marketing

    MUMBAI: Veteran marketing executive Loren Schwartz has been named Warner Bros. Pictures’ new executive vice president, genre marketing and creative advertising.

     

    In his new post, Schwartz will report directly to Warner Bros. Pictures executive vice president of marketing Blair Rich, in addition to Warner Bros. Pictures president of worldwide marketing and international distribution Sue Kroll.

     

    Kroll said, “Loren is among the industry’s most respected and knowledgeable executives, who has broken new ground in all facets of genre marketing.  His expertise will be integral to our outreach on a range of niche projects, encompassing everything from horror to urban to faith-based.”

     

    Rich added, “We look forward to working with Loren in our global efforts to market our genre films—an important part of our extensive and diverse slate—and to capture the attention of an ever-changing and ever-widening audience.”

     

    Schwartz, who has more than two decades of success in film entertainment marketing, comes to Warner Bros. from Sony, where he most recently had the title of executive vice president of marketing for their Screen Gems division.  During his tenure, he created campaigns for films like Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead, Resident Evil,Heaven is for Real, Think Like a Man and The Vow.

     

    He had previously served as senior vice president of creative advertising at Columbia Pictures, where he worked on more than 60 films, including Superbad, Pineapple Express, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Anger Management and 50 First Dates, to name only a few.

     

    Schwartz started his career in 1993 at Trimark Pictures, working on both theatrical and home video titles, the most notable being the cautionary tale Swimming with Sharks.  In 1996, he joined Fox’s indie label, Searchlight Pictures, as manager of advertising and was involved in the campaigns for such successes as Stealing Beauty and The Full Monty.

     

    The following year, he moved over to Sony Pictures, starting as manager of creative advertising and rapidly moving up the ranks to his most recent post.

  • NBCU Domestic TV Distribution names Stemmermann as digital VP

    NBCU Domestic TV Distribution names Stemmermann as digital VP

    MUMBAI: Scott Stemmermann has been named as vice president, digital marketing for NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution.

     

    In his new role, Stemmermann will oversee all multi-platform digital and social products associated with NBCU Domestic TV Distribution’s first-run television properties. In addition to managing Access Hollywood, Access Hollywood Live, Steve Harvey, The Meredith Vieira Show, and all shows produced from the Stamford Media Center, Stemmermann will lead digital and social strategy for prospective shows produced by the division.

     

    NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution senior vice president marketing and brand strategy Bear Fisher said, “Scott has proven to be an invaluable member of our team. He has created and executed innovative ways to extend our social outreach and encourage fan engagement. We are excited to see the impact he will have on our other properties.”

     

    “I am proud of what I have been able to accomplish thus far for Bear and the division. With my expanded role, I look forward to seeing the growth of all our original, first-run digital and social content,” added Stemmermann.

     

    Stemmermann joined NBCUniversal Domestic Television Distribution in 2013 as director, digital strategy. He began working at NBCUniversal prior to joining the division. With background in wireless, digital media and entertainment, Stemmermann joined the company supporting Mobile Content Venture. For this joint venture, he led third party application developers on overall product features for Dyle TV, a mobile TV application and service.

     

    Prior to NBCUniversal, he spent several years at Viacom Media Group’s Digital Distribution department and also at Sprint Nextel in product marketing where he managed their mobile entertainment partners.

  • MPAA extends CEO Chris Dodd’s contract to 2018

    MPAA extends CEO Chris Dodd’s contract to 2018

    MUMBAI: The Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. (MPAA) has extended chairman CEO Chris Dodd’s contract to 2018.

     

    In a joint statement, MPAA member companies’ representatives namely – Twentieth Century Fox chairman and CEO Jim Gianopulos, Paramount Pictures chairman and CEO Brad Grey, Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn, Sony Pictures Entertainment chairman and CEO Michael Lynton, NBC Universal vice chairman Ron Meyer, Universal Filmed Entertainment chairman Jeff Shell, Warner Bros. Entertainment chairman and CEO Kevin Tsujihara said, “We are pleased to announce that Chris has agreed to extend his contract into 2018. He has been an impactful leader and a vigorous champion for the industry. We are confident he will continue to effectively help steer our interests through a challenging media and policy landscape and represent our member companies around the globe.”

     

    Dodd added, “I am grateful to our member companies for their continued support. This is an exciting time of almost unparalleled creativity and innovation in film and television and I look forward to continuing to promote and protect that creativity, and the jobs of the men and women who go to work in this industry every day.”

  • Turner Asia Pacific strengthens distribution team

    Turner Asia Pacific strengthens distribution team

    MUMBAI: In a move to strengthen their support to the growing demand in Southeast Asia, Australia and Pacific markets, Turner Asia Pacific has made a few management changes.

     

    As a part of the expansion, Robi Stanton has been promoted to general manager – Australia, New Zealand and Pacific territories. She will oversee all of Turner’s commercial business relationships in these markets including ad sales, content sales and network distribution. 

     

    The move comes on the back of several new brand launches, including the addition of Oh!K and World Heritage Channel to Turner’s portfolio, and the re-launches of Warner TV and Boomerang.

     

    Additionally, Voo Chih Yeong has been appointed as the vice president – Southeast Asia. He will assume responsibility for all affiliate partnerships in key markets such as Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. Yeong joins Turner from Sony Pictures Television Networks Asia effective 3 June.

     

    In addition, Vishal Dembla has been promoted to vice president – Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, with a remit that includes Hong Kong, Thailand and Indochina. Dembla recently spearheaded a number of initiatives including the launch of Toonami, Boomerang and Pogo in Thailand, and was part of the team that developed Oh!K, the region’s newest Korean entertainment channel.

     

    “Turner’s rapid expansion across Southeast Asia and the significance of the Australia market has triggered this important change. We work with demanding, world-class partners and they deserve the best team to support their business. I’m confident that our outstanding brands and this new-look, high-caliber team can meet these growing needs,” said Turner managing director and SVP for North Asia and Southeast Asia pacific Phil Nelson.

  • Veena Jain appointed as DD News DG, to hold additional charge in New Media Cell

    Veena Jain appointed as DD News DG, to hold additional charge in New Media Cell

    NEW DELHI: Veena Jain, a 1984 Indian Information Service officer, will be taking over as director general (DG) of News in Doordarshan. 

     

    Additionally, Jain has also been asked to hold charge as officer on special duty in the Ministry for New Media Wing and Social Media Cell. She will report to the Ministry for all purposes.

    Jain has also been promoted to the Selection Grade of IIS Group A.

     

    She is currently posted as Additional Director General in the News Services Division of All India Radio. Earlier, she has also served as director of Publications Division.

     

    Prior to this appointment, senior IIS officer Akshay Rout was officiating as DD News DG.

  • NBC Universal elevates Anand Kini as CFO

    NBC Universal elevates Anand Kini as CFO

    MUMBAI: NBC Universal has promoted Anand Kini as its chief financial officer.

     

    Most recently, Kini served as executive vice president, strategy and business insights and since February 2015 as interim CFO.

     

    Kini helped shape NBC Universal’s long term strategic direction, led the data-driven consumer and business insights division and the Information Technology group.In addition to his role as CFO, he will maintain responsibility for these other areas.He remains a member of the Executive Committee and reports to NBC Universal CEO Steve Burke.

     

    “Anand is a very important member of our executive team and his contributions have played a key role in our success. His business sense and his strategic vision have been invaluable.I know that he will bring that same focus and commitment to this new position,” said Burke.

     

    Prior to joining NBC Universal in July 2011, Kini was with Comcast Cable Communications as senior vice president, financial planning and analysis. In that role he managed Comcast Cable’s forecasting, annual budget, and three-year planning process, and served as a key analytical resource to help the cable businesses identify emerging market trends, evaluate competitive positioning and determine attractive growth strategies to drive strong financial returns.

     

    He joined Comcast in 2007 from Activision Blizzard, a video game publisher in Southern Calif., where he was vice president of financial planning. Prior to that, he was director of financial planning for Disney’s Parks and Resorts division.

  • Warner Bros International Television Distribution ups Jae H. Chang to VP sales

    Warner Bros International Television Distribution ups Jae H. Chang to VP sales

    MUMBAI: Warner Bros. International Television Distribution has promoted Jae H. Chang to vice president, sales.

     

    Based in Seoul, Chang will continue to manage all forms of television content licensing, including linear terrestrial, pay, cable, satellite and on demand services throughout Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Bangladesh. Chang will continue to report to Warner Bros. International Television Distribution senior vice president and general manager, Asia-Pacific Malcolm Smith.

     

    Chang has been with WBITD for seven years, most recently serving as director of sales, where he managed TV licensing activity in Korea in addition to Warner Channel carriage deals and Branded Services deals in South East Asia.

     

    “Jae has been a key member of our sales team and we are pleased that he will assume more responsibility for territories in this burgeoning area of the world. As the television platforms continue to evolve and windows and business models increase in complexities, it is important that we have someone of Jae’s experience and expertise leading our efforts in South East Asia,” said Warner Bros. International Television Distribution EVP Jim Brehm.

     

    Prior to joining WBITD, Chang worked with CJ Entertainment and Media for five years, Warner Music for two years and Korea Telecom for four years. 

  • Turner India ups Rohit Khetarpal as director, network & content distribution

    Turner India ups Rohit Khetarpal as director, network & content distribution

    MUMBAI: Turner International India has elevated Rohit Khetarpal as director of network and content distribution for South Asia.

     

    In his new role, Khetarpal will be responsible for content syndication and driving mobile and interactive platforms including mobile, broadband, DTH, IPTV, gaming services for Turner’s portfolio of industry-leading news and kids entertainment brands including CNN International, Cartoon Network, and POGO.

     

    In addition, he will lead CNN International’s hotel partnership programme and broadcast partnerships in South Asia. He will also manage the distribution of all Turner channels in South Asian markets outside of India.

     

    Based in Delhi, Khetarpal will report into Turner senior vice president and managing director for South Asia Siddharth Jain.

     

    Jain said, “With his proven track record in growing our linear distribution vertical in India, I am confident that Rohit will take this varied and business-critical portfolio to its next level of success in the South Asia region.”

     

    Khetarpal joined Turner’s network and content distribution team in 2008 and has been managing the distribution of Turner’s portfolio of channels in India: Cartoon Network, POGO, Toonami, HBO and WB. He has over 15 years of experience in the television distribution business and has previously worked with Viacom 18, Zee Turner and ESPN Software in India.