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Tag: Gerhard Zeiler

  • Uday Shankar & Punit Goenka to speak at APOS 2022

    Uday Shankar & Punit Goenka to speak at APOS 2022

    Mumbai: Former Disney Asia Pacific head Uday Shankar, who has now teamed up with James Murdoch for a JV Bodhi Tree Systems and who is also Marigold Park founder, director, and ZEEL manging director & CEO Punit Goenka, is among the speakers at APOS 2022, which will take place in-person in Singapore at the Capella from 27-29 September 2022. The event will also be streamed, keeping in mind the current COVID situation.

    Created and curated by Media Partners Asia, APOS positions itself as the ultimate destination for deals, partnerships, and thought leadership as industry leaders focus on sustainable growth and investment across content, connectivity, and commerce.

    The other speakers include Meta India VP & MD Ajit Mohan, JIO Platforms group CFO Saurabh Sancheti, Warner Bros. Discovery president, international Gerhard Zeiler, Paramount senior VP, Head of Office and Streaming, Asia Catherine Park, Candle Media co-CEO, founder Kevin Mayer, Prime Video VP, International Kelly Day, Sky NZ CEO Sophie Moloney and YouTube global head of media co partnerships Lori Conkling.

    The key themes are:

    Media Macros: The Long And Short View

    APOS takes the pulse of key APAC markets, providing an outlook on advertising and consumer spending across media with discussions on key drivers and challenges along with secular shifts.

    Streaming’s Sustainability

    2022 will help investors and industry stakeholders assess the scalability of streaming with a laser focus on the sustainability of customer growth, monetisation and the path to profitability. APOS brings global and local perspectives into sharper focus.

    Valuations And Investor Expectations

    TV remains profitable with low growth, while streaming is rapidly growing but unprofitable. What is the inflection point for streaming and the outlook for long-term cash generation? What are the various approaches toward valuations of pure-play streamers, companies in transition, and other proxies?

    Growth of Premium Asian Content

    Korean dramas and Japanese anime drive nearly 40 per cent of premium online video consumption across the region. Production values in Thailand, Indonesia, and other markets continue to improve as budgets increase and broadcasters recoup investments across TV and online. What is the future forecast? Will Korean dramas continue to dominate? Can Japanese anime and other genres grow share? What is the outlook for local dramas in the country and regionally?

    Metaverse Impact

    New applications are being pioneered to drive consumer experiences with growing use cases across gaming, movies, music, TV content, and social connectivity. What will be the impact on consumer engagement and the development of new media franchises?

    Battle for the Living Room

    The growth of smart TVs along with the proliferation of video services has driven demand for aggregation with an emphasis on customer simplicity, improved content search and discovery, and efficient payment. 2022 will see competition for the living room escalate amongst internet & technology giants and telcos & pay-TV operators. What does customer success look like in key markets and what compelling use cases are emerging?

    Scalability of Premium AVOD

    TV broadcasters and regional platforms are capitalising on CTV growth, local IP, and attractive demos to help shape the premium AVOD market in major Asia-Pacific markets. How are the dynamics playing out amongst key stakeholders and what will drive future growth?

    Expanding the Creator Economy

    What are the latest innovations and emerging technologies expanding the creator economy as platforms and advertisers look to next-gen content creators to reach new audiences and build engagement? How are key platforms investing in monetization engines and unique platform features to drive new revenue streams that sustain creator ecosystems internationally and in large local markets in APAC?

    Recalibration of Sports

    After pandemic-induced lockdowns in 2020-21, rights fees experienced a correction; is market demand returning to pre-Covid levels, and if so, which markets and franchises benefit and which lag? How are distribution dynamics and drivers changing with the growth of online video?

    Telco State of Nation

    Telco strategy and investor focus across key markets are being driven by 5G and mobile consolidation. What catalysts across consumer, enterprise, and other key verticals will drive value creation for telcos in 2022 and beyond?

    New Normal for Movies

    2022 box office is still relatively depressed in most markets. When will demand snap back and what role will streaming continue to play? How are exhibitors, studios, and production houses positioning themselves? How are investors reacting?

    Optimising Content and the Video Experience

    How are new technologies helping platforms optimise customer experiences across content and connectivity? What applications are helping companies thrive in a highly competitive video landscape with content personalisation, targeted advertising, and the overall consumer experience?

  • Warner Bros. Discovery unveils its new leadership team

    Warner Bros. Discovery unveils its new leadership team

    Mumbai: The newly formed Warner Bros. Discovery has announced its international leadership team under head Gerhard Zeiler. Earlier, he held the position of International President for WarnerMedia and currently he will oversee Discovery globally. Zeiler announced his regional team on Thursday.

    In the major changes, Clement Schwebig was named as Warner Bros. Discovery President and Managing Director of South-East Asia, Korea and India. Schwebig is based in Singapore.

    Anil Jhingan who was Discovery Asia Pacific’s President and Managing Director will lead business development for the enlarged Warner Bros. Discovery group across international markets.

    “Our combined international business has significant scale, and a diversified portfolio – both geographically and across lines of business. As a result, when deciding the new leadership structure, we wanted to ensure that we had dedicated regional leads, to reflect the scale and complexity of the business which would, in turn, increase focus on key markets” Zeiler wrote in a staff memo.

    Priya Dogra who was WarnerMedia Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia (excluding China) President will now head Warner Bros. Discovery Europe, Middle East and Africa (excluding Poland). James Gibbons who earlier oversaw operations in the UK and Nordics is now Warnermedia Discovery’s President and Managing Director for Australia, New Zealand and Japan. Gibbons will continue to manage the Nordics for an interim period.

    Fernando Media is Warner Bros. Discovery Latin American and US Hispanic President and Managing Director. He replaces Whit Richardson who is leaving the company. Kasia Kieli is Warner Bros. Discovery President and Managing Director of Poland and CEO of TVN. She was earlier Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and African President and Managing Director.

    Gillian Zhao will continue as WarnerMedia China president. Andrew Georgiou will still be Warner Bros. Discovery President and Managing Director for Sports Europe based in London. Robert Blair will lead licensing as International Television Distribution President. Ronald Goes will stay in his role as Executive Vice-President and Head of International TV production.

    “As JB and I committed in our original note to you all, our decisions are the result of a thought-through process which included ensuring that the leadership team reflected the breadth of experience and talent across the two businesses. None of these decisions were easy or taken lightly,” wrote Zeiler in his memo.

  • Warner Media plans to energise India ops with HBO Max launch

    Warner Media plans to energise India ops with HBO Max launch

    MUMBAI:  Warner Media’s is not where it wants to be in India as a business. This was admitted by its chief revenue officer & president Warner Media International Networks, Gerhard Zeiler today during the second leg of APOS2020.

    He further expounded: “We have a strong kids’ business in Turner. Warner Bros is a strong distributor of content, and the content of HBO has mostly been sold to licensing partners. But this is not where we want to be in five years.”

    According to him, the streaming service HBO Max will be the big driver going forward. “We have our work cut out in the market. But you will hear more about HBO Max in the next months or next year. It's going to be our workhorse going forward.”

    Earlier this year, Priya Dogra was appointed as president WarnerMedia Entertainment Networks in EMEA and APAC region, replacing Giorgio Stock, who left in June. She was given this responsibility in addition to her previous role as executive vice president of strategy & corporate development.

  • Priya Dogra appointed WarnerMedia Entertainment Networks, EMEA & APAC president

    Priya Dogra appointed WarnerMedia Entertainment Networks, EMEA & APAC president

    MUMBAI: WarnerMedia, a division of AT&T Inc, announced the appointment of Priya Dogra as president, WarnerMedia Entertainment Networks, EMEA and APAC. For the time being, Dogra will continue her responsibilities as executive vice president, strategy and corporate development for WarnerMedia.

    With her added responsibilities, Dogra will report to Gerhard Zeiler, chief revenue officer, WarnerMedia & president, WarnerMedia International Networks. She replaces Giorgio Stock who stepped down at the end of June.

    In her new role, Dogra will have executive oversight and responsibility for programming, advertising, distribution and operations of the WarnerMedia Entertainment Networks which include the basic Turner and premium HBO networks in Europe, Middle East, Africa and the Asia-Pacific region. Dogra will share responsibility for the kids business in EMEA and APAC with Tom Ascheim who was recently named president, Global Kids, Young Adults and Classics at Warner Bros.

    Gerhard Zeiler said: “Priya is a world-class executive who has been driving WarnerMedia’s overall corporate growth initiatives and in particular our direct-to-consumer-strategy internationally. Her leadership, passion and knowledge of our international businesses will make an immediate impact on our organisation. She is a great addition to my leadership team and to our EMEA and APAC businesses.”

    Priya Dogra said: “I am excited to take on this role particularly now as we refocus our efforts to connect our beloved brands and high-quality content directly with consumers around the world. I look forward to working closely with Gerhard, our broader leadership team and the EMEA and APAC organisations to strategically position us for continued success in a highly competitive marketplace.”

    Dogra has been with the company since 2009. She currently serves as executive vice president, strategy and corporate development and was previously the head of mergers & acquisitions for Time Warner, Inc. During her tenure at the company, Dogra has led the company’s global growth strategies and managed investment and M&A activity to support those strategies. Prior to joining Time Warner, Dogra was a vice president in the technology, media and telecom investment banking group at Citigroup.

  • Whit Richardson named Turner Latin America president

    MUMBAI: Joel Whitten “Whit” Richardson III has been promoted to President, Turner Latin America. The announcement was made by Turner International president Gerhard Zeiler. A 23-year veteran of the company, Richardson most recently held the position of executive vice president of distribution, Turner Latin America.

    In his new position, he will report to Zeiler.

    Richardson has executive oversight of Turner’s regional portfolio of general entertainment, kids, sports and free-to-air brands; distribution and ad sales of those brands; the distribution of CNN’s services; and licensing and merchandising activity in Latin America.

    Turner Latin America is Turner’s largest international division. Turner Latin America’s portfolio was once again the highest rated (#1) pay TV offering in Latin America in 2016* and includes an unmatched array of demographics and genres.

    “Whit is a highly respected executive inside and outside Turner. I am delighted that he accepted the offer to become the next President of Turner Latin America. The company will benefit from his leadership skills and wealth of experience, especially as we navigate through a dramatically evolving media-business future demanding dynamic change,” said Zeiler.

    He added: “His enduring successes in affiliate sales and marketing, in establishing our Argentina hub as a nationally-respected employer, his sharp mind, strategic approach and process-orientated management, make him the ideal choice to lead our business in Latin America; he has a clear vision of how we adapt the organization to truly become a next generation media provider.”

    “I am excited for the opportunity to lead Turner Latin America, and grateful for the confidence of Gerhard and Turner’s executive management,” said Richardson. “The industry is in a time of rapid change, and Turner is uniquely qualified to lead the transformation of the media business in Latin America. We will prioritize collaboration, innovation and change as we move aggressively to position for continued growth and success.”

    As executive VP of distribution, Richardson oversaw Turner Latin America’s pan-regional affiliate sales team, which is responsible for the company’s largest portfolio of networks in any region in the world. He relocated to Atlanta in 2014 from Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he served as General Manager of Turner Argentina in addition to his distribution responsibilities. As Argentina GM, Richardson was at the forefront of the company’s local expansion from 15 employees in 1998 to approximately 750 today.

  • Turner gets into digital ventures; announces key execs in leadership positions

    Turner gets into digital ventures; announces key execs in leadership positions

    MACAO:Turner International yesterday announced a new division to lead its digital innovation internationally and promoted with Aksel van der Wal, presently senior vice-president and chief financial officer, to the new role of executive vice-president, to lead the initiative effective 1 January, 2017.

    Under his leadership the new division will focus on driving profitable growth through international consumer-centric initiatives, including all of Turner’s international multiplatform suite of digital properties and its direct-to-consumer product strategy, Turner said in a statement during the on-going CASBAA Convention 2016 here yesterday.

    In close co-operation with the Turner International presidents, van der Wal has the responsibility for the existing portfolio of international products and services on the web, for smart phones, games, apps and OTT, and he will also be charged with developing new digital direct-to-consumer businesses leading a cross-platform business intelligence function that drives consumer insight and helping to implement the strategy of the non-linear ad sales business.

    Additionally, van der Wal will identify new opportunities for Turner and decide on how to engage in those new areas through technological product innovation and/or acquisitions.

    “As our industry undergoes huge evolution, the impact of digital disruption and changing consumer behaviour continues to put audience insight right at the heart of our business strategy,” Gerhard Zeiler, President, Turner International said in the statement about van der Wal’s new assignment and the company’s fresh outlook.

    “This new division will ensure that we assess new opportunities for innovation, development and acquisition through the lens of relevant, robust consumer data and through a realigned, agile organisational structure. Aksel’s experience in transformative management, his first-class understanding of both the linear and digital media landscapes and his detailed knowledge of Turner’s international operation all combine to make him a superb fit for this new role,” Zeiler said.

    In his role as chief financial officer for Turner International, van der Wal, who will report to the Turner president, will be succeeded by Trey Turner, presently Senior VP, Corporate Finance, Mergers and Acquisitions. Al the new changes will be effective 1 January, 2017.

    Based in Atlanta, Turner will report to Pascal Desroches, Executive VP and CFO of Turner, while working closely with Zeiler. He will be responsible for the company’s financial operations and will be an active partner and contributor in shaping the direction of the company’s international business and implementing its strategy.
    “Trey has the perfect experience to lead the business, capital and budgeting activities for our international businesses,” according to said Pascal Desroches, who added, “He has acquired a depth of knowledge about our company and brings great passion and significant experience to the role. We expect Trey to play a key role in helping us expand our global operations.”

    Aksel van der Wal joined Turner in 2014 as CFO, Turner EMEA and was promoted to S VP and CFO, Turner International, in June 2015. Before joining Turner, van der Wal worked for three years and served as CEO, Time Out, at its two main business sites, London and New York City. Prior to Time Out, he was CFO at online ticket exchange operation Seatwave and previously held senior financial and business development roles at Vodafone, including CFO of partner markets.

    Turner International operates versions of core Turner brands, including CNN, TNT, Cartoon Network, Boomerang and TCM Turner Classic Movies as well as country and region-specific networks and businesses in Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. It manages the business of pay- and free-TV channels as well as Internet-based services and oversees commercial partnerships with various third-party media ventures.

  • Turner gets into digital ventures; announces key execs in leadership positions

    Turner gets into digital ventures; announces key execs in leadership positions

    MACAO:Turner International yesterday announced a new division to lead its digital innovation internationally and promoted with Aksel van der Wal, presently senior vice-president and chief financial officer, to the new role of executive vice-president, to lead the initiative effective 1 January, 2017.

    Under his leadership the new division will focus on driving profitable growth through international consumer-centric initiatives, including all of Turner’s international multiplatform suite of digital properties and its direct-to-consumer product strategy, Turner said in a statement during the on-going CASBAA Convention 2016 here yesterday.

    In close co-operation with the Turner International presidents, van der Wal has the responsibility for the existing portfolio of international products and services on the web, for smart phones, games, apps and OTT, and he will also be charged with developing new digital direct-to-consumer businesses leading a cross-platform business intelligence function that drives consumer insight and helping to implement the strategy of the non-linear ad sales business.

    Additionally, van der Wal will identify new opportunities for Turner and decide on how to engage in those new areas through technological product innovation and/or acquisitions.

    “As our industry undergoes huge evolution, the impact of digital disruption and changing consumer behaviour continues to put audience insight right at the heart of our business strategy,” Gerhard Zeiler, President, Turner International said in the statement about van der Wal’s new assignment and the company’s fresh outlook.

    “This new division will ensure that we assess new opportunities for innovation, development and acquisition through the lens of relevant, robust consumer data and through a realigned, agile organisational structure. Aksel’s experience in transformative management, his first-class understanding of both the linear and digital media landscapes and his detailed knowledge of Turner’s international operation all combine to make him a superb fit for this new role,” Zeiler said.

    In his role as chief financial officer for Turner International, van der Wal, who will report to the Turner president, will be succeeded by Trey Turner, presently Senior VP, Corporate Finance, Mergers and Acquisitions. Al the new changes will be effective 1 January, 2017.

    Based in Atlanta, Turner will report to Pascal Desroches, Executive VP and CFO of Turner, while working closely with Zeiler. He will be responsible for the company’s financial operations and will be an active partner and contributor in shaping the direction of the company’s international business and implementing its strategy.
    “Trey has the perfect experience to lead the business, capital and budgeting activities for our international businesses,” according to said Pascal Desroches, who added, “He has acquired a depth of knowledge about our company and brings great passion and significant experience to the role. We expect Trey to play a key role in helping us expand our global operations.”

    Aksel van der Wal joined Turner in 2014 as CFO, Turner EMEA and was promoted to S VP and CFO, Turner International, in June 2015. Before joining Turner, van der Wal worked for three years and served as CEO, Time Out, at its two main business sites, London and New York City. Prior to Time Out, he was CFO at online ticket exchange operation Seatwave and previously held senior financial and business development roles at Vodafone, including CFO of partner markets.

    Turner International operates versions of core Turner brands, including CNN, TNT, Cartoon Network, Boomerang and TCM Turner Classic Movies as well as country and region-specific networks and businesses in Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. It manages the business of pay- and free-TV channels as well as Internet-based services and oversees commercial partnerships with various third-party media ventures.

  • CNN International Commercial names Rani Raad as president

    CNN International Commercial names Rani Raad as president

    MUMBAI: CNN International Commercial has appointed Rani R. Raad to the new role of president.

     

    In this role, Raad will continue to be responsible for CNN’s commercial functions outside the US. In addition, the development of Turner International’s programmatic trading strategy will be facilitated under his leadership.

     

    Previously as CNN International executive vice president and chief commercial officer, Raad has led the CNN International Commercial group since it was created in 2013 to directly align all of CNN’s international commercial activity into one organisation. This activity spans core business activities such as advertising sales, content sales and partnerships, business development, marketing and research.

     

    Turner International president Gerhard Zeiler said, “Rani has a remarkable track record in leading a diverse portfolio of commercial initiatives across international markets. He has built a new digital team that is the authority in this space and has transformed the commercial operation for CNN internationally, bringing in a new leadership team to deliver best-in-class and award-winning ad sales solutions as well as re-setting the licensing and content sales businesses to yield a suite of new branded initiatives around the globe.”

     

    Raad added, “I’m excited and passionate about the role that CNN continues to play in today’s fast-changing news and media landscape. As the world’s news leader, our commitment to innovation underpins our commercial activities as well as the brand’s editorial output. I look forward to being part of this change as we bring to market even more sophisticated, data-driven and creative solutions for our wide range of commercial partners.”

     

    Previously Raad also held the position of senior vice president and managing director for CNN International Ad Sales. He will continue to have responsibility over Turner’s Kids and General Entertainment businesses across Turkey and the Middle East.

     

    Raad began his career with CNN in New York and is now based in London.

  • CNN International Commercial names Rani Raad as president

    CNN International Commercial names Rani Raad as president

    MUMBAI: CNN International Commercial has appointed Rani R. Raad to the new role of president.

     

    In this role, Raad will continue to be responsible for CNN’s commercial functions outside the US. In addition, the development of Turner International’s programmatic trading strategy will be facilitated under his leadership.

     

    Previously as CNN International executive vice president and chief commercial officer, Raad has led the CNN International Commercial group since it was created in 2013 to directly align all of CNN’s international commercial activity into one organisation. This activity spans core business activities such as advertising sales, content sales and partnerships, business development, marketing and research.

     

    Turner International president Gerhard Zeiler said, “Rani has a remarkable track record in leading a diverse portfolio of commercial initiatives across international markets. He has built a new digital team that is the authority in this space and has transformed the commercial operation for CNN internationally, bringing in a new leadership team to deliver best-in-class and award-winning ad sales solutions as well as re-setting the licensing and content sales businesses to yield a suite of new branded initiatives around the globe.”

     

    Raad added, “I’m excited and passionate about the role that CNN continues to play in today’s fast-changing news and media landscape. As the world’s news leader, our commitment to innovation underpins our commercial activities as well as the brand’s editorial output. I look forward to being part of this change as we bring to market even more sophisticated, data-driven and creative solutions for our wide range of commercial partners.”

     

    Previously Raad also held the position of senior vice president and managing director for CNN International Ad Sales. He will continue to have responsibility over Turner’s Kids and General Entertainment businesses across Turkey and the Middle East.

     

    Raad began his career with CNN in New York and is now based in London.

  • CNN Indonesia goes on air

    CNN Indonesia goes on air

    MUMBAI: CNN Indonesia began broadcasting today (17 August, 2015).

     

    From brand new state-of-the-art news facilities located in the Transmedia broadcast centre in Jakarta, CNN Indonesia will offer viewers a mix of national and international news, plus the latest in business and sport in Bahasa Indonesia.

     

    The start of CNN Indonesia TV follows the launch of CNNIndonesia.com in October last year. The digital platform is an integral component of the CNN Indonesia brand with the ability to reach Indonesians at home and abroad.

     

    CNN Worldwide president Jeff Zucker said, “This is an incredibly important day for us. To be able to extend our footprint locally and reach millions of Indonesians is hugely exciting and humbling. We are confident Transmedia will deliver first-class content that appeals to Indonesians all across the country.”

     

    Turner Broadcasting International president Gerhard Zeiler added, “Turner is committed to Indonesia and committed to growth and development in the Asia-Pacific region. We welcome CNN Indonesia to the family and look forward to a long and successful partnership.”

     

    CNN Indonesia is part of a strategic effort by CNN International Commercial’s Content Sales and Partnerships Group. Its core business is to explore ways to reach more consumers locally, regionally and internationally by partnering with other leading media organisations. CNN Indonesia is the latest addition to the CNN family that includes CNN Philippines, CNN Turk and CNN Chile.