ITV

Tag: John McMahon

  • Andy Kaplan is SPTI international networks president; John McMahon heads Europe

    MUMBAI: In response to the growing demands of its distribution, networks and local language production businesses, Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) has announced two senior level promotions to help lead its continued global expansion.
     
     

    Andy Kaplan has been promoted to president, International Networks, and John McMahon has been promoted to president and MD, Europe. The announcement was made by SPTI president Michael Grindon to whom both report, states an official release.

    SPTI is the division of Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) responsible for all television businesses outside of the United States and is the leading major Hollywood studio in local language production.
     
     

    “Sony Pictures Television International is an extremely profitable part of Sony Pictures Entertainment and these promotions are in recognition of the extraordinary accomplishments of these two individuals,” Sony Pictures Entertainment chairman Michael Lynton.

    “Under Andy Kaplan, our International Networks Group has successfully launched new channels in Asia, Europe and Latin America,” said Grindon. “His smart, strategic decisions have led to not only new channel launches, but also to expanding distribution, increased ratings and steadily growing advertising revenues.”

    “John McMahon has expertly managed our growing television businesses in Europe, our most important international region,” Grindon continued. “He has assembled a talented executive team that continues to deliver steady growth across all of our businesses. John’s leadership skills and ability to coordinate and support complex operations across numerous territories is a terrific asset for Sony Pictures Television International.”

    Based at SPTI’s headquarters in Culver City, California, Kaplan is responsible for all cable and satellite television networks and investments, which now number more than 40 channels throughout Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America. In close coordination with SPTI’s regional managing directors for Asia, Australia, Europe and Latin America, as well as senior management of Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan, Kaplan oversees AXN, Sony Entertainment Television (SET) branded networks, and Animax, the first 24-hour network dedicated to popular Japanese anime. Kaplan also manages SPTI’s relationships with all international partner channel ventures, such as HBO in Asia, Central Europe and Latin America; and Showtime and Encore in Australia.

  • Ross Hair is SPTI senior VP intl networks

    Ross Hair is SPTI senior VP intl networks

    MUMBAI: Ross Hair, who currently serves as Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) VP, has been elevated to the senior VP position.

    As had been reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com, the position became vacant after incumbent Darren Childs quit to join BBC Worldwide to oversee its global channels business.

    Hair will continue to be based in SPTIs European headquarters in London, and will report to SPTI senior executive VP international networks Andy Kaplan and senior executive VP and MD Europe John McMahon. He will oversee the management of all SPTI’s networks efforts in EMEA, including AXNs channels in Europe and the Middle East, and SPTIs investment in HBO in Central Europe.

    Kaplan said, “Since joining SPTI in 2001, Ross has been instrumental in the launches of several AXN channels in Europe, including those of AXN in Central Europe and Germany. As we continue to expand our operations in Europe, we are thrilled to have Ross lead the team.”

    Hair joined SPTI from ESPN Star Sports (ESS), where he was director of strategic planning. Before that he was head of commercial affairs at Nickelodeon UK.

  • John McMahon is senior Executive VP, MD, Europe SPTI

    CALIFORNIA: John McMahon has been promoted to Senior Executive Vice President, Managing Director for Sony Pictures Television International’s European operations. The announcement was made by President, Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) Michael Grindon.
    Since taking charge of SPTI’s European activities in 1998, McMahon has successfully expanded the core lines of business for the company across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He has built SPTI’s licensing operation to continually achieve record-breaking sales levels each year and under his leadership, the studio has expanded its international networks opportunities throughout Europe, says an official release. 
    McMahon has also been instrumental in the strong growth of SPTI’s international productions business in Germany, Italy, France, Spain and the UK. In addition, McMahon is the liaison for coordinating all European television activities with other Sony sister divisions including Sony Electronics and Sony PlayStation.
    Among McMahon’s objectives in his new role are to develop and augment international synergies among the various Sony divisions. McMahon will be looking to drive greater opportunities to exploit Sony’s family of companies throughout the international productions, programme distribution and the networks operations
    The release informs that since his promotion to Executive VP in 1998, and his assumption of the Managing Director, Europe position in 1999, McMahon has guided SPTI’s three lines of international business — licensing, local production and international networks — to tremendous growth and expansion.
    Under McMahon’s leadership, Sony’s channel investment has expanded throughout Europe, including the wholly owned AXN brand in Spain, Israel and more recently, Portugal. Additionally, McMahon has overseen the launch of SET Asia and CineNova, the premium pay movie service, in Holland and Belgium. He is also credited with expanding the HBO platform in Eastern Europe to include programme services in Poland, Romania and Bulgaria.
    A 12-year veteran of SPTI, McMahon joined SPE in 1990, serving as VP International Legal Affairs, Sony Pictures Entertainment before being named Senior Vice President, Sales Planning for the company’s international television division.