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Tag: Jonathan Spink

  • WarnerMedia makes top level APAC changes

    WarnerMedia makes top level APAC changes

    MUMBAI: Ricky Ow has been named president, WarnerMedia Entertainment Networks, distribution and advertising sales, APAC, uniting Turner Asia Pacific and HBO Asia to create a combined powerhouse of leading brands, in the first of a series of key appointments announced today by Giorgio Stock, president, WarnerMedia Entertainment Networks, distribution and advertising sales, EMEA and APAC.

    Ow, previously president, Turner Asia Pacific, takes on responsibility for all entertainment networks, distribution of all networks, advertising sales and the kids networks operations in the Asia Pacific region and reports into Stock.

    “Ricky has done a tremendous job in building a team that has transformed our business in Asia, investing in award-winning premium content, developing completely new revenue streams and optimising operations. I’m confident that he and his extended team will deliver even more to our partners and invest further in what we offer our fans,” said Stock.

    Jonathan Spink, CEO, HBO Asia, will be leaving the company. “I want to thank Jonathan, who over his long tenure has led the Asian team with passion, entrepreneurship, and a focus on innovation, applying throughout his good humour and a healthy dose of common sense. I am looking forward to having his precious advice and his insights through the end of this year as we bring our companies together and prepare for a new chapter,” Stock added.

    “It has been a truly exceptional experience leading HBO Asia over these past years,” said Spink. “It has been a wonderful journey and I wish the company every success for the future.”

    With the new organisation, Clement Schwebig has been promoted to managing director, WarnerMedia Entertainment Networks, Southeast Asia, Pacific and China, effective immediately. Schwebig will be based in Singapore and continue to report to Ow.

    In his new role, Schwebig will oversee all entertainment networks including HBO and its family of channels, OTT service and two SVOD services, Warner TV, local content channels Red and Oh!K, as well as Cartoon Network and the kids portfolio, and all digital ventures. His responsibilities include operations, advertising sales, and the distribution of all networks including CNN International, HLN and BabyFirst.

    Previously, Schwebig was CFO of Turner Asia Pacific, SVP business development and licensing for the region, as well as managing director of China. Over the past 6 years he has been leading the financial growth, as well as successfully driving the company’s strong expansion beyond its core business in China and location-based entertainment businesses. Schwebig joined Turner in 2013 after spending more than a decade managing substantial TV operations in Europe and Asia.

    “Clement is a seasoned business leader who has substantial experience encompassing all aspects of business operations in TV broadcasting and production, strategy, finance and sales,” said Ow. “With his deep understanding of our business in Asia Pacific, Clement is ideally suited to lead our networks and commercial operations in Southeast Asia Pacific and China, playing an even more active role in shaping the direction and strategy as we transform into a modern media company,” he added.

    “I’m grateful for the confidence Giorgio and Ricky have placed in me. Combining the strengths of all our teams behind powerful brands like HBO, CNN and Cartoon Network positions us for a sustainable growth of our business as we evolve rapidly in order to engage our consumers across multiple touchpoints, with standout content, leveraging data and technology. I have a deep respect for the success HBO Asia has achieved and will build upon the legacy established by Jonathan and his executive team. I am particularly looking forward to working with the Turner and HBO teams in Singapore, which are known in the industry for their creativity and innovative mindset,” said Schwebig.

    Stock also announced changes in the key support functions of finance and legal.

    Steve Burton, executive vice president, HBO Asia, will leave the company. “Steve’s many contributions to the HBO Asia business have been integral to the business success over the years, with his drive and commitment,” said Stock. “He leaves us well-equipped to take advantage of future opportunities.”

    Jamie Friend, currently SVP and CFO for WarnerMedia Entertainment Networks, EMEA, has been promoted to take on the additional responsibility of helming the company's financial planning and analysis for APAC as well. "Jamie’s business acumen, innovative thinking and strategic vision is a powerful combination which has already been invaluable to our existing EMEA operation,” said Stock. “Now he will bring those skills to the Asian region to shape and support how we evolve the business in today’s fast-changing media landscape.”

    Also supporting the new organisation in APAC are regional legal counsels Annabel Archer and Lawrence Yuen who report into Alessandra Chichi, chief legal counsel for WarnerMedia Entertainment Networks, distribution and advertising sales EMEA and APAC region.

    Jamie also reports into Trey Turner, EVP and chief financial officer, WarnerMedia sales & international; Alessandra also reports into Melissa Roper Barnett, EVP and general counsel, WarnerMedia Sales & International.

    These appointments for Asia Pacific are part of WarnerMedia Entertainment Networks efforts to position its business in the region for further growth and take its portfolio of brands to the next level.

    Spanning 42 countries in 14 languages, WarnerMedia Entertainment Asia Pacific brands include Warner TV, Oh!K, Mondo TV, Mondo Mah-Jong TV, TABI Channel, Tabi Tele, Cartoon Network, Boomerang, POGO and Tuzki together with HBO, HBO Signature, HBO Family, HBO Hits, Cinemax and Red as well as the OTT service HBO Go, and two SVOD services HBO On Demand and Ding Ji Ju Chang. WarnerMedia Entertainment Networks is also responsible for the distribution of CNN International, HLN and BabyFirst in Asia.

  • Fox’s Asia SVP Joe Welch named CASBAA board chairman

    MUMBAI: CASBAA, Asia’s media association serving the multichannel audio-visual content creation and distribution industry, has announced that Joe Welch has been named as the chairman of its board of directors.

    Welch is 21st Century Fox’s senior vice-president of government relations for the Asia-Pacific region. He is responsible for supporting the public policy and regulatory advocacy efforts of 21st Century Fox’s business units across the region.

    Previously, Welch served as MCI WorldCom’s Asia director of government affairs, and earlier was an attorney at the U.S. Federal Communications Commission in Washington, D.C.

    “I’m taking on this role at a time when we have a set of positive options at hand, many now in progress, that will make CASBAA sustainable and relevant for the long term,” Welch said. “For some time now, CASBAA has been moving to secure the ability to deliver ‘twin pillar’ services for members: advocacy and anti-piracy. I look forward to working together with the Board and the Executive Office in driving an effective delivery of these pillars while continuing our mission to inform and connect our members.”

    Welch replaces outgoing director Jonathan Spink of HBO Asia. Spink was elected the chairman of the board in December 2016, but stepped down recently, at the time stating “…a new vision for CASBAA is needed.” HBO remains a patron member of the association, and Spink expressed confidence that its new direction would “…fit in with the desires and requirements of our industry.”

  • Jonathan Spink new CASBAA board chairman

    Jonathan Spink new CASBAA board chairman

    MUMBAI: Following its first meeting on 06 December, the CASBAA Board of Directors announced that Jonathan Spink, CEO of HBO Asia, has been elected Chairman of the Board of Directors for the next 12 months.

    With almost three decades of experience in the pay television industry, Jonathan Spink is responsible for the overall management of HBO in South East and South Asia. Under Spink’s leadership, HBO Asia has built a growing network of standard-definition and high-definition channels and services, as well as developing several groundbreaking original local productions.

    Spink succeeds Sompan Charumilinda, Vice Chairman of TrueVisions, as Chairman of the CASBAA Board. “Khun Sompan has been a Board member for more than a decade, and most recently, served diligently in his term as Chairman of the Board,” said Spink. “On behalf of my fellow Directors and the broader membership, we thank him for his guidance and insights over the years and we look forward to his continued contribution on the Association’s Board.”

    Spink also welcomed new Directors elected during the Association’s 2016 AGM held 10 Nov in Macau; namely, Rohit D’Silva (FOX Networks Group Asia), Jonas Engwall (RTL CBS Asia Entertainment Network), Marcel Fenez (Fenez Media), Todd Miller (Celestial Tiger Entertainment), Alexandre Muller (TV5MONDE), and Andrew Stott (Olswang Asia). They join returning Directors Sompan Charumilinda (TrueVisions), Andrew Jordan (AsiaSat), Amit Malhotra (The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia), Ricky Ow (Turner International Asia Pacific), Mark Patterson (GroupM), Joe Welch (21st Century Fox), and Christopher Slaughter (CASBAA) to make up CASBAA’s Board.

    “With the multichannel TV industry in all its forms facing unprecedented challenges as well as opportunities in 2017,” Spink added, “the coming year promises to be busier than ever for CASBAA. I look forward to working with my fellow Directors and the CASBAA Executive Office to ensure that the work of the Association is relevant to all its Member companies, as they adapt to a rapidly developing operating environment.”

    Following the announcement of the Chairman and Board of Directors 2017, CASBAA CEO Christopher Slaughter highlighted the increasingly broad Membership of the Association. He noted that during 2016 several new members joined, including the Premier League, Rewind Networks, Nielsen, Strategic IP Information, Metrasat, Trilegal, and Kantar Media. Also during the year, TV5MONDE, Intelsat, RTL/CBS and INVIDI all upgraded to Patron status. “It is a delight to welcome these new additions across all our membership categories,” Slaughter said. “We are confident they will prove to be valuable additions to the CASBAA community, and we look forward to their participation in our activities and on our Committees.”

  • Jonathan Spink new CASBAA board chairman

    Jonathan Spink new CASBAA board chairman

    MUMBAI: Following its first meeting on 06 December, the CASBAA Board of Directors announced that Jonathan Spink, CEO of HBO Asia, has been elected Chairman of the Board of Directors for the next 12 months.

    With almost three decades of experience in the pay television industry, Jonathan Spink is responsible for the overall management of HBO in South East and South Asia. Under Spink’s leadership, HBO Asia has built a growing network of standard-definition and high-definition channels and services, as well as developing several groundbreaking original local productions.

    Spink succeeds Sompan Charumilinda, Vice Chairman of TrueVisions, as Chairman of the CASBAA Board. “Khun Sompan has been a Board member for more than a decade, and most recently, served diligently in his term as Chairman of the Board,” said Spink. “On behalf of my fellow Directors and the broader membership, we thank him for his guidance and insights over the years and we look forward to his continued contribution on the Association’s Board.”

    Spink also welcomed new Directors elected during the Association’s 2016 AGM held 10 Nov in Macau; namely, Rohit D’Silva (FOX Networks Group Asia), Jonas Engwall (RTL CBS Asia Entertainment Network), Marcel Fenez (Fenez Media), Todd Miller (Celestial Tiger Entertainment), Alexandre Muller (TV5MONDE), and Andrew Stott (Olswang Asia). They join returning Directors Sompan Charumilinda (TrueVisions), Andrew Jordan (AsiaSat), Amit Malhotra (The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia), Ricky Ow (Turner International Asia Pacific), Mark Patterson (GroupM), Joe Welch (21st Century Fox), and Christopher Slaughter (CASBAA) to make up CASBAA’s Board.

    “With the multichannel TV industry in all its forms facing unprecedented challenges as well as opportunities in 2017,” Spink added, “the coming year promises to be busier than ever for CASBAA. I look forward to working with my fellow Directors and the CASBAA Executive Office to ensure that the work of the Association is relevant to all its Member companies, as they adapt to a rapidly developing operating environment.”

    Following the announcement of the Chairman and Board of Directors 2017, CASBAA CEO Christopher Slaughter highlighted the increasingly broad Membership of the Association. He noted that during 2016 several new members joined, including the Premier League, Rewind Networks, Nielsen, Strategic IP Information, Metrasat, Trilegal, and Kantar Media. Also during the year, TV5MONDE, Intelsat, RTL/CBS and INVIDI all upgraded to Patron status. “It is a delight to welcome these new additions across all our membership categories,” Slaughter said. “We are confident they will prove to be valuable additions to the CASBAA community, and we look forward to their participation in our activities and on our Committees.”

  • CASBAA elects Sompan Charumilinda as chairman of board

    CASBAA elects Sompan Charumilinda as chairman of board

    MUMBAI: Asian non-profit media association serving the multi-channel audio-visual content creation and distribution industry CASBAA has elected Sompan Charumilinda as chairman of the board of directors.

     

    Charumilinda is a pioneer in Thailand’s pay-TV industry and is currently True Visions Group executive vice chairman.

     

    He has over 20 years of experience in guiding the industry through rapidly changing markets, regulatory regimes and technological developments.

     

    For the past ten years he has served as a member of CASBAA’s board of directors, actively promoting CASBAA’s members’ interests both in Thailand and across the region.

     

    “It’s personally exciting for me to be elected chairman of the board at a time of immense technological change in our industry. CASBAA will continue to evolve to meet the changing needs of its members, and together with my fellow Directors, I will strive to ensure the Association maintains its relevance to our industry,” he said.

     

    The CASBAA Board is composed of 14 directors, including Marcel Fenez, Andrew Jordan (Eutelsat), Janice Lee (PCCW Media), Amit Malhotra (The Walt Disney Company), Todd Miller (Celestial Tiger Entertainment), Alexandre Muller (TV5MONDE), Ricky Ow (Turner Asia Pacific), Mark Patterson (GroupM), Frank Rittman (MPA), Christopher Slaughter (CASBAA), Jonathan Spink (HBO Asia), Bill Wade (AsiaSat), and Joe Welch (21st Century Fox).

  • HBO to launch broadband streaming service in Hong Kong

    HBO to launch broadband streaming service in Hong Kong

    MUMBAI: HBO Asia has announced the Asia launch of HBO Go to now TV‘s HBO subscribers in Hong Kong.

    HBO Go, a new broadband streaming service, enables subscribers to enjoy over 1,000 hours of HBO Original content on multiple devices including PCs, MACs, tablets and mobile devices (iOS and Android) anywhere, anytime. The service includes new episodes of shows such as ‘Game of Thrones‘, ‘The Newsroom‘, ‘True Blood‘ and ‘Veep‘ 12 hours after being shown in the US.

    Winner of the Best On-Demand Solution at IBC 2012 in Amsterdam, HBO Go will make its Asian debut in Hong Kong on 28 February exclusively and free to now TV‘s HBO subscribers.

    HBO Asia CEO Jonathan Spink said, “HBO GO is a versatile service enabling subscribers to maximise their HBO entertainment across multiple devices, whether at home or on the move, and Hong Kong subscribers of our long-term exclusive partner, now TV, are the first to enjoy this brand new broadband streaming service. With over 1,000 hours of quality HBO Original content to choose from, HBO GO subscribers will be spoilt for choice and can also watch the latest HBO shows 12 hours after US telecast. This helps combat piracy and gives subscribers an opportunity to catch the newest episodes of their favourite shows earlier.”

    PCCW MD TV, new media Janice Lee said, “We are excited to be the first in Asia to offer HBO Go and our customers will soon be able to access HBO‘s great movies and TV series anytime and anywhere. HBO Go complements our hugely popular now Player and other mobile apps for enjoying on-the-go content. With more than 1.4 million downloads of our apps, users are able to enjoy more than 25 live channels and 80 on-demand programmes.

    HBO GO subscribers will have access to current HBO Original series as well as past series like ‘Band of Brothers‘, ‘Sex and the City‘, ‘The Sopranos‘ and ‘Rome‘ plus HBO movies, documentaries, comedies, family content, entertainment specials and more.

    “HBO Go is packed with features all giving maximum choice to the subscriber. We will continue to update HBO Go with new features, for example, in addition to streaming content on HBO GO, downloading of content will be made available in the third quarter of 2013,” added Spink.

  • HBO, Eros debut ad-free movie channels on Dish TV and Airtel digital TV

    HBO, Eros debut ad-free movie channels on Dish TV and Airtel digital TV

    MUMBAI: HBO Defined and HBO Hits, the two premium ad-free movie channels, have launched on Dish TV and Airtel Digital TV.

    These carriage deals come shortly after the signing of a strategic tie-up between HBO Asia and Eros International media to launch two new premium advertising-free movie channels in India.

    The channels are currently on air and will be available for a free preview in the initial phase of the launch.

    HBO Defined and HBO Hits will showcase the best of Hollywood and Bollywood content through HD and SD feeds on Dish TV (channels 24 and 25 on HD and 414 and 415 on SD boxes respectively) and SD feed on Airtel Digital TV (channels 199 and 200 respectively).

    Dish SD feed will go on air 28 February onwards.

    The two channels will be offered at a special introductory price of Rs 49 and Rs 69 for SD and HD services respectively.

    HBO Asia CEO Jonathan Spink says that the promotional offer is only for three months. The normal price for SD channels is Rs 99 while the HD channel pack is priced at Rs 129.

    Asked about expansion plans into digital cable given that the second phase of digitisation is happening.

    “Our distributor Turner India is talking to various Digital cable and DTH operators. The goal is to ultimately reach all addressable digital systems,” said Spink.

    A high impact multi-media marketing campaign will be launched to promote the two new channels across platforms. The campaign will commence mid March.

    Eros International Media Executive Director Jyoti Deshpande said, “We are excited about the quick response from the DTH operators to offer our premium channels to their customer base and are thankful to Dish and Airtel for partnering with us. We are confident that our compelling and unique content offering of Bollywood and Hollywood plus an advertising-free viewing experience will make this an instant hit with subscribers.”

    Catering to all movie lovers and each having a distinct identity, HBO Defined is the home of latest Hollywood and Bollywood blockbusters and award-winning HBO Originals, while HBO Hits is a channel that indulges viewers with genre driven anchors and iconic HBO Original series.

    Over the next few months viewers can expect an overwhelming line-up of “first time in India” Hollywood blockbuster premieres such as Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, Bollywood premi?res of titles such as Chakravyuh, Award winning titles such as The Iron Lady and exclusive and award-winning HBO Original programmes such as Veep, Game of Thrones, True Blood and Boardwalk Empire as they premiere close to U.S. airdates.

    In addition, dual language options of either English or Hindi are available for selected Hollywood blockbusters. Some of the upcoming titles in dual language are Captain America: The First Avenger, Thor, Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 2, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, Kung Fu Panda 2 and Journey 2 Mysterious Island.

  • Casbaa to pursue mobile, regulatory agenda in 2007

    Casbaa to pursue mobile, regulatory agenda in 2007

    MUMBAI: The Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (Casbaa) has announced its strategic direction for 2007, as well as the results of 2006 Annual general meeting elections to the Casbaa council of governors and board of directors.

    According to Casbaa chairman Marcel Fenez, in 2007 the association is to focus on the increasing impact of Mobile technology, also noting a clear signal from the council of governors to step up initiatives in India and China. Casbaa will continue to engage the regulatory authorities in multiple markets and promote industry development in Indonesia, Vietnam and Pakistan, among others.

    In addition, Casbaa will strive to demonstrate the effectiveness of pay TV as an advertising medium and thus challenge other traditional media for advertising revenues, asserts an official release.

    Fenez said, “On an almost daily basis Casbaa is engaging with decision-makers across the region regarding regulatory and intellectual property rights issues while maintaining a steady output of studies on markets and the benefits of effective regulation and the cost of pay-TV piracy.”

    Casbaa also announced that the following were newly elected to the Casbaa council of governors, the association’s leading advisory body, Anytime president and COO Craig Zimbulis; Mabuhay Satellite president and CEO Garie Pimentel; MIH Asia president Ian Barnard; SkyVision Corporation (Sky Cable) head of programmes acquisition Juno Henares Chuidian; AGB Nielsen Media Research CEO Malcolm Spry and Standard Chartered Bank head of creative media and tech industries client relations Susan Ho.

    The results of Elections to the Casbaa board of directors were as follows: HBO Asia CEO Jonathan Spink; AsiaSat CEO Peter Jackson; United Broadcasting Corporation EVP-chairman Sompan Charumilinda; BBC World regional director distribution and business development Nic van Zwanenberg and Celestial Pictures CEO William Pfeiffer.

  • HBO Asia’s James Marturano retires; Chua to replace

    HBO Asia’s James Marturano retires; Chua to replace

    MUMBAI: HBO Asia executive vice president and HBO South Asia managing director James Paul Marturano has retired, thus ending his two decade long tenure at the company.

    Marturano will be succeeded by HBO Asia senior vice president sales and marketing Suarina Chua, who has been with the company for the last 12 years. She joined HBO in 1994.

    Marturano will continue to work with HBO as a consultant. He played an integral role in establishing the channel in Asia. HBO is now available in 22 countries across the Asian region.

    HBO Asia CEO Jonathan Spink said, “Jim has been a pivotal figure in driving the company’s long term growth in the region since our operations began in 1992. There’s nobody who’s done as much for the growth and development of HBO Asia. He leaves behind a significant legacy.”

    As executive vice president of HBO Asia, Marturano headed the sales and marketing division and also looked after the company’s business development. He was also responsible for managing the operations of HBO ventures in South Asia that included India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Maldives.

    Beginning his tenure with HBO in 1986, Marturano relocated to Singapore in October 1991 as director, international operations, and was responsible for overseeing the developmental work for the HBO Asia project. He was promoted to vice-president, sales and marketing in April 1992 and as senior vice-president, sales and marketing, for HBO Asia in January 1997, overseeing the distribution and marketing of HBO and Cinemax throughout Asia.