ITV

Tag: EMEA

  • Kiaran Saunders joins A+E Networks

    Kiaran Saunders joins A+E Networks

    NEW DELHI: Nicklodeon UK vice president and commercial director Kiaran Saunders has joined A+E Networks VP of EMEA.

     

    Saunders has joined the company in a senior strategic role within its own EMEA operations responsible for A+E Networks’ growth strategy, branded channels and digital distribution across the region.

     

    He will take charge from Liz Higgins, who has joined News UK as commercial development director, and report to MD Dean Possenniskie.

     

    Meanwhile, Jon Wildman has been hired in the newly created role of VP ad sales for EMEA.

     

    The announcement was made by A+E Networks EMEA MD Possenniskie to whom both will report.

     

    At Nickelodeon, Saunders was responsible for managing distribution activity, advertising sales, and business development.

     

    Earlier, he held senior corporate development and finance positions at Channel 4 and RSM Robson Rhodes.

     

    Saunders assumes his new role from September.

     

     

  • Ross Video Appoints Yevgen Khovanskyi as Sales Director

    Ross Video Appoints Yevgen Khovanskyi as Sales Director

    MUMBAI: Ross Video is very pleased to announce that Yevgen Khovanskyi has joined the company as Sales Director for the Russian Federation. Yevgen joins Ross Video from Riedel Communications where he worked firstly as International Sales Manager for Russia, the CIS and Baltic states before helping to establish the company’s Moscow office and taking the role of Sales Director for Russia.  
     

    “Ross Video is a company that I’ve always admired,” notes Yevgen. “The company has enjoyed 23 straight years of incremental growth and that’s an incredible achievement given that it spans two recessions. There’s no doubt in my mind that Ross has the right product range and the right philosophy to become the number one player in live production in EMEA.”

     
    “We are really excited to welcome Yevgen to the Ross EMEA team,” comments David Dowling, Director of Sales for EMEA. “He’s a highly experienced sales professional with an enviable track record in the region. This appointment is our fourth new addition to the team in the last six months and, given our ambition for Ross in EMEA, I would expect to be making several similarly exciting announcements over the six months to come.”

  • Scripps acquires Singapore-based Asian Food Channel

    Scripps acquires Singapore-based Asian Food Channel

    MUMBAI: Scripps Networks Interactive, which has made international expansion a top strategic priority, is strengthening its competitive position in Asia with the acquisition of the Asian Food Channel (AFC), the region’s leading food-focused pay television network.

     

    The Asian Food Channel, which is based in Singapore, reaches about 8 million subscribers in 11 markets. With the addition of the Asian Food Channel, Scripps Networks Interactive now has three lifestyle television brands that it is marketing in the region. Food Network and Travel Channel also are distributed in Asia.

     

    “Asia and the rapid growth in pay television households throughout the region hold great promise for Scripps Networks Interactive and its international ambitions,” said Kenneth W. Lowe, the company’s chairman, president and chief executive officer.

    The Asian Food Channel broadcasts 24 hours a day, seven days a week and leverages a substantial library of acquired Asian and international video content as well as a growing number of originally-produced programs. The network generates revenues through regional and local advertising sales as well as fees from pay television operators.

     

    “Acquiring the Asian Food Channel significantly expands our presence in key growth markets and provides us with a solid foundation on which to build a growing lifestyle media business in the region. The channel aligns perfectly with our lifestyle programming focus.”

     

    “We have built AFC from scratch over eight years to become a well-recognized brand in the region with a top management team that will help Scripps expand its presence across the Southeast Asia region,” said Maria Brown, co-founder and chief executive officer of the Asian Food Channel. “As an entrepreneur, I am enormously proud to see our company take this next step in its evolution. I look forward to seeing the Asian Food Channel continue to grow as part of the Scripps Networks Interactive family and as one of their leading lifestyle brands.”

     

    Derek Chang, who was appointed recently as managing director of the Asia Pacific region for Scripps Networks Interactive, will oversee the management and integration of the Asian Food Channel. He also will oversee operations of Scripps Networks Interactive’s existing networks in the region.

     

    Scripps Networks Interactive has been expanding its international operations starting in 2009 with the launch of the Food Network in the United Kingdom and other markets in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region.

     

    In 2012, the company acquired the London-based international operations of the Travel Channel. Food Network and Travel Channel are distributed in selected markets in Asia.

     

    Scripps Networks Interactive isin partnership with BBC Worldwide through its 50-percent ownership of UKTV, which operates a suite of 10 general entertainment and lifestyle channels in the U.K. The company also is in partnership with Shaw Communications, which operates HGTV, Food Network and DIY Network in Canada.

  • Aegis Media appoints Alex Crowther to head General Motors’ biz

    Aegis Media appoints Alex Crowther to head General Motors’ biz

    BENGALURU: Aegis-owned media agency, Carat — a media communications specialist and a player in digital and diversified media solutions, has appointed Alex Crowther, former CEO of MediaCom Asia Pacific as Global Client President, effective immediately.

    Crowther, in this role, will be responsible for leading the General Motors business and continuing Carat’s track record of global success in managing the USD 300 crores global account.

    “Alex is the perfect person to lead the continued momentum and growth of General Motors’ global business for us,” said Aegis Media Americas & EMEA CEO Nigel Morris. “He’s a rare talent who brings extensive global experience and a proven track record working with major global brands across categories, but specifically with automotive. He has the entrepreneurial spirit and drive to find innovative ways to drive GM’s business forward in today’s convergent media landscape.”

    Crowther returns to Carat, where he once worked at Carat International, after a 19-year hiatus, and brings 26 years of global experience in the media industry. Prior to Carat, Alex was CEO Asia Pacific for the global media network MediaCom, part of WPP’s GroupM, sitting on the Asia Pacific board of GroupM and global board of MediaCom. During his first three years at MediaCom, Alex helped to double to size and scale of the business in Asia Pacific by winning multiple Proctor & Gamble country assignments, Coca-Cola in several territories and many other globally recognised brands.

    Morris continued, “Steven has been part of the Carat GM leadership team since the onset of our relationship, helping to open Carat’s office and global hub for the GM partnership in Detroit. He led the successful transition of Carat’s GM business across more than 70 markets and will move on to do more great things for other global and U.S. clients across our network.”

    Prior to MediaCom, Alex served as President/CEO Americas and Asia Pacific of integrated communications network Davinci, a part of Omnicom. Based in the US — much of it in Detroit, he was President/CEO Americas and Asia Pacific and as co-founder was instrumental in the company’s rapid growth from a standing start to a presence in more than 60 markets in seven years. During his time at Davinci, the agency managed the global media for Chrysler and Mercedes Benz as well as Mitsubishi Motors in North America.

    “Automotive has always been a passion of mine and a cornerstone in my career, so it only makes sense that I return to Detroit, especially to work at a global-leading media agency that is consistently ranked as the number 1 network by RECMA. Carat is the only network that truly understands convergence and is redefining the value of media to create better business value. I can’t wait to get started,” said Crowther.

    Crowther replaces Steven Feuling, who will be relocating to San Francisco and assuming a new role at Carat. During Feuling’s tenure as Global Client President for GM, Carat helped GM achieve significant gains from both a consumer and business perspective, including Interbrand naming Chevrolet as one the Top 100 Global Brands in 2013.

  • CNBC, Philips join hands for branded content campaign

    CNBC, Philips join hands for branded content campaign

    MUMBAI: Leading global broadcaster of live business and financial news CNBC and Philips have come together for a branded content commercial campaign based around CNBC’s new video series, Innovation Cities.

    The series was launched worldwide across CNBC TV and digital platforms and on innovationcities.cnbc.com today. It will feature innovations that can improve the way people live and work. Each two-and-a-half-minute episode will focus on one facet of city life and will explore innovations that can provide dynamic change.

    The nine-week video series will air once a week after the network’s flagship morning show, Squawk Box in the EMEA and Asia Pacific regions, and on the Al Bousaiah programme on CNBC Arabiya in the Middle East.

    Highlights of the video series will also air on CNBC in the United States, and CNBC World, while full episodes will be immediately available across all CNBC’s online video and mobile platforms.

  • CNBC, Philips join hands for branded content campaign

    CNBC, Philips join hands for branded content campaign

    MUMBAI: Leading global broadcaster of live business and financial news CNBC and Philips have come together for a branded content commercial campaign based around CNBC’s new video series, Innovation Cities.

    The series was launched worldwide across CNBC TV and digital platforms and on innovationcities.cnbc.com today. It will feature innovations that can improve the way people live and work. Each two-and-a-half-minute episode will focus on one facet of city life and will explore innovations that can provide dynamic change.

    The nine-week video series will air once a week after the network’s flagship morning show, Squawk Box in the EMEA and Asia Pacific regions, and on the Al Bousaiah programme on CNBC Arabiya in the Middle East.

    Highlights of the video series will also air on CNBC in the United States, and CNBC World, while full episodes will be immediately available across all CNBC’s online video and mobile platforms.

  • Disney movies on demand reaches over 8 million viewers in EMEA

    Disney movies on demand reaches over 8 million viewers in EMEA

    MUMBAI: Disney Media Distribution EMEA revealed the figures for its branded on-demand service Disney movies on demand and the continued growth of ABC TV on demand and Disney channels on demand, this Mipcom.

    Since its launch at Mipcom in October 2012, Disney movies on demand, the family-friendly branded SVOD service, is now available on 12 live platforms in six EMEA territories. Disney movies on demand most recently launched on OSN in the Middle East and North Africa and Wuaki in the UK , reaching over eight million consumers across EMEA.

    The service gives customers access to a wide range of Disney’s classic animation and live-action hits including the classic animation ‘Jungle Book’, Disney Pixar’s ‘Monsters’ and ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’.

    Since its launch in 2010, ABC TV on demand has been launched on 26 platforms in 16 EMEA territories. In 2013 to date ABC TV on demand has had over 60 million views in EMEA. In 2012, ABC TV on demand launched in four new countries and on 11 new platforms, registering 33 per cent increase in reach and 80 per cent increase in total views.

    Disney channels on demand that offers popular Disney channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior series at the click of a button, is now available to 47 million Disney channel subscribers across EMEA on 55 live platforms, with further launches scheduled before the end of the year. The channel on demand has also enjoyed particular success in France, where it is now available to 4.7 million viewers with a 62 per cent uplift in viewers between July 2012 and July 2013.

    The Walt Disney Company EMEA SVP & GM media distribution Catherine Powell said, “Disney and ABC Studios content is hugely popular with viewers across EMEA and the significant growth of our branded on-demand services reflects that. We are committed to bringing our great characters and excellent storytelling to all members of the family when they want it; where they want it and how they want it. Our branded services will continue to be a focus for the future.”

  • Disney movies on demand reaches over 8 million viewers in EMEA

    Disney movies on demand reaches over 8 million viewers in EMEA

    MUMBAI: Disney Media Distribution EMEA revealed the figures for its branded on-demand service Disney movies on demand and the continued growth of ABC TV on demand and Disney channels on demand, this Mipcom.

    Since its launch at Mipcom in October 2012, Disney movies on demand, the family-friendly branded SVOD service, is now available on 12 live platforms in six EMEA territories. Disney movies on demand most recently launched on OSN in the Middle East and North Africa and Wuaki in the UK , reaching over eight million consumers across EMEA.

    The service gives customers access to a wide range of Disney’s classic animation and live-action hits including the classic animation ‘Jungle Book’, Disney Pixar’s ‘Monsters’ and ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’.

    Since its launch in 2010, ABC TV on demand has been launched on 26 platforms in 16 EMEA territories. In 2013 to date ABC TV on demand has had over 60 million views in EMEA. In 2012, ABC TV on demand launched in four new countries and on 11 new platforms, registering 33 per cent increase in reach and 80 per cent increase in total views.

    Disney channels on demand that offers popular Disney channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior series at the click of a button, is now available to 47 million Disney channel subscribers across EMEA on 55 live platforms, with further launches scheduled before the end of the year. The channel on demand has also enjoyed particular success in France, where it is now available to 4.7 million viewers with a 62 per cent uplift in viewers between July 2012 and July 2013.

    The Walt Disney Company EMEA SVP & GM media distribution Catherine Powell said, “Disney and ABC Studios content is hugely popular with viewers across EMEA and the significant growth of our branded on-demand services reflects that. We are committed to bringing our great characters and excellent storytelling to all members of the family when they want it; where they want it and how they want it. Our branded services will continue to be a focus for the future.”

  • Desperate Housewives gets an African flavour

    Desperate Housewives gets an African flavour

    CANNES: Looks like Disney Media Network is on a roll with its president global distribution Ben Pyne, making a slew of announcements on day two of Mipcom.

    First up, a local production of Disney’s iconic series Desperate Housewives is on the cards. Christened Desperate Housewives Africa and filmed in Nigeria, the series, co-produced by EbonyLive TV and Disney Media Distribution EMEA, is slated to hit television screens in the summer of 2014.

    Disney Media Distribution general manager emerging markets Giovanni Mastrangelo said: “Co-producing the series with EbonyLife TV offers an opportunity to engage African audiences through locally relevant and entertaining storytelling. The local version of the series, starring pan-African cast, will bring to life the universal stories and characters created by ABC Studios.”

    Said an excited EbonyLife TV CEO and executive chairman Mo Abudu: “In Desparate Housewives, we find one of the most amazing formats for TV and are extremely excited to be co-producing it with Disney. On our part, and in line with our mission which is to bring original, home-grown and premium content with an African soul, we will work to ensure parity with the original storyline and production values that have characterised the global series, without compromising on the African essence.”

    The series will feature established and emerging African talents and is being shot 
    in Lagos, Nigeria, where a local ‘Wisteria Lane’ too has been found.

    Secondly, Pyne announced the launch of Disney Movies on Demand, a Disney-branded subscription-based video-on-demand service in Hungary.

    Scheduled to air on FUSO on 25 October, Disney Movies on Demand includes classic and live action titles such as Cars, Toy Story, Wall-E, Pirates of the Caribbean, Mary Poppins and Aladdin among others. The FUSO platform is available on Sony LG, Samsung and select Android tablets and iOS devices and will soon be made available on Xbox One and Sony PS4 as well. 

     
    Speaking of its very first branded subscription-based SVOD service for Disney in Hungary and Eastern Europe, Fuso Ecosystem president Csaba Lazar said: “Fuso’s subscribers will be delighted about the content, which will be available on Fuso premium service. We are excited to be the first eastern-European country to launch such a SVOD service.” Pyne informed that the deal was mediated and negotiated by Eastwest Entertainment, the Australian movie and television distribution company and Profour Film.

    The third and last announcement was about Disney Media Distribution licensing ABC Studios and Marvel Television’s new series Marvel’s Agents if S.H.I.E.L.D to broadcasters across the globe in 155 territories including Channel 4 in the UK, Kanal 5 in Sweden, Viasat 4 in Norway, Digiturk in Turkey, OSN in the Middle East and North Africa and Star World Premiere HD in India, among others.

    Which means episodes of the series will be available to distributors who show English language programming within 24 hours of its US debut on ABC, as well as in the dubbed in local language form 14 days after the airing. Pyne informed that a number of agreements with new media platforms have been concluded to complement the show’s linear transmission. As part of this, even viewers in China can access the series 24 hours post the US transmission on Sohu LeTV, iQiyi, Tencent and Tudou.

  • Burson-Marsteller launches Africa-India Advisory Desk

    Burson-Marsteller launches Africa-India Advisory Desk

    Gurgaon, 31 July 2013 – Burson-Marsteller, a leading global public relations and communications firm, today announced the launch of its Africa-India Advisory Desk — an initiative to be spearheaded by Arcay Burson-Marsteller in South Africa and Genesis Burson-Marsteller in India. The Africa-India Advisory Desk’s mandate is to assist Indian and African companies to navigate the African continent and Indian sub-continent respectively.

    It will offer a range of services from market-entry analysis and strategy to stakeholder mapping to delivering customized communication across diverse audience(s) viz. customers, government and financial institutions.

    “The Africa-India Advisory Desk was prompted by our experience of working across multiple markets in Africa and across India, and understanding that companies/organisations may be challenged by the divergent cultures, business landscapes and unique legal and political environments,” commented Robyn de Villiers, Chairman and CEO for Africa of Johannesburg-based, Arcay Burson-Marsteller.“ We believe that our 20+ years’ experience of providing regionally appropriate, locally-driven communications services, seamlessly executed across the African continent, combined with Genesis Burson-Marsteller’s robust spectrum of communication offerings across the Indian sub-continent, will be a winning combination for our clients.”

    “We believe cross border Africa – India business opportunities represent enormous potential for both African companies doing business in or with India, as well as, Indian companies looking at investing or expanding into Africa. For the benefit of our clients and prospects we are bringing together our premier networks in Africa and India in the Africa-India Advisory Desk – a single point of contact that draws on Burson-Marsteller’s global expertise and local knowledge to enable business opportunities across national frontiers — into the African continent or Indian sub-continent,” said Jeremy Galbraith, CEO Burson-Marsteller Europe Middle East & Africa (EMEA).

    Enhanced economic, political, social and cultural cooperation between India and Africa has promise and potential is self-evident from the fact that India and Africa together account for a huge market of 2.2 billion people with a combined GDP of more than $3 trillion. According to a recent CII-WTO report on India-Africa: South-South Trade and Investment for Development, India-Africa bilateral trade has grown from $1 billion in 2001 to around $50 billion in 2011-12. At the same time, India’s investments in Africa are estimated to be over $50 billion now.

    “Globally, interest and opportunity in Africa is unprecedented. However, doing business in Africa is complex and can be daunting. Doing business in India can be similarly challenging. The Africa-India Advisory Desk, building on the strengths of our African hub and our Indian hub, we believe, can help our clients achieve business success in both markets,” adds Prema Sagar, Principal and Founder of Genesis Burson-Marsteller.