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Tag: Turner Asia Pacific

  • 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.

  • Turner Asia Pacific acquires Oggy and the Cockroaches seasons 6 and 7

    Turner Asia Pacific acquires Oggy and the Cockroaches seasons 6 and 7

    MUMBAI: Xilam, the award-winning animation production company, today announced that Turner Asia Pacific, one of its key broadcast partners, has acquired two additional seasons for its ratings-winner Oggy and the Cockroaches. The series in 4K will be delivered from 2017 onwards and available across Turner’s channels including Cartoon Network, Boomerang and Pogo.

    Turner’s chief content officer of its kids’ networks in Asia Pacific Mark Eyers said: “We all know that cockroaches have some serious survival skills, and there’s just something about Oggy and his mischievous friends that continues to connect with kids. By extending the relationship with Xilam, Turner has kept hold of a proven hit to further boost its leadership position in the region.”

    Xilam Animation CEO and founder Marc du Pontavice added, “Oggy’s worldwide success continues to hit new highs, and we are thrilled to pursue the partnership with Turner and Cartoon Network that helped build and expand Oggy as a phenomenon throughout Asia.”

    In Season 5 (78 x 7’), the battle goes on between Oggy and the roaches as they travel back in time through the ages and meet icons such as Caesar, Leonardo da Vinci and the Cyclops, as well as rocketing forward into the year 3000. Seasons 6 and 7 (156 x 7’) will comprise a mix of brand new episodes along with full remakes of classic stories from seasons 1 and 2 all produced in 4K. After almost 20 years of success, this spectacular addition of 234 new episodes, all in 4K, will project the brand in the next 15 years, as it will keep entertaining the kids and their parents with them.

  • Turner Asia Pacific acquires Oggy and the Cockroaches seasons 6 and 7

    Turner Asia Pacific acquires Oggy and the Cockroaches seasons 6 and 7

    MUMBAI: Xilam, the award-winning animation production company, today announced that Turner Asia Pacific, one of its key broadcast partners, has acquired two additional seasons for its ratings-winner Oggy and the Cockroaches. The series in 4K will be delivered from 2017 onwards and available across Turner’s channels including Cartoon Network, Boomerang and Pogo.

    Turner’s chief content officer of its kids’ networks in Asia Pacific Mark Eyers said: “We all know that cockroaches have some serious survival skills, and there’s just something about Oggy and his mischievous friends that continues to connect with kids. By extending the relationship with Xilam, Turner has kept hold of a proven hit to further boost its leadership position in the region.”

    Xilam Animation CEO and founder Marc du Pontavice added, “Oggy’s worldwide success continues to hit new highs, and we are thrilled to pursue the partnership with Turner and Cartoon Network that helped build and expand Oggy as a phenomenon throughout Asia.”

    In Season 5 (78 x 7’), the battle goes on between Oggy and the roaches as they travel back in time through the ages and meet icons such as Caesar, Leonardo da Vinci and the Cyclops, as well as rocketing forward into the year 3000. Seasons 6 and 7 (156 x 7’) will comprise a mix of brand new episodes along with full remakes of classic stories from seasons 1 and 2 all produced in 4K. After almost 20 years of success, this spectacular addition of 234 new episodes, all in 4K, will project the brand in the next 15 years, as it will keep entertaining the kids and their parents with them.

  • Turner appoints Eric Lee to lead its LBE business

    Turner appoints Eric Lee to lead its LBE business

    MUMBAI: Turner Asia Pacific has appointed Eric Lee as director for Asia Pacific to lead its growing location-based entertainment (LBE) business for the region.

    Lee is tasked with identifying opportunities to develop consumer-facing experiences such as water parks, theme parks, branded retail and entertainment spaces. These environments utilize Cartoon Network’s global kids’ IP such as The Powerpuff Girls, Ben 10, We Bare Bears and Adventure Time, as well as Turner’s other youth-focused brands including Tuzki, according to a company statement.

    This is a new position for Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE), Turner’s licensing and merchandising arm, and demonstrates its commitment to developing more LBE initiatives around the region. Lee’s appointment is a part of a wider strategy by Turner to become an even more consumer-centric and IP-focused company.

    Turner Asia Pacific business development and overseas CNE senior vice president, Clément Schwebig was quoted in the statement as saying, “Eric is a talented and experienced individual who will straight away look to forge strategic relationships with local partners that will enable us to engage existing fans and win over new ones. LBE and the themed attraction business has huge potential for growth in Asia Pacific, and Cartoon Network’s world-famous franchises are well-loved by kids and families across the region.”

    The appointment comes at a period of growth for both the industry and Turner’s extensive portfolio of IP.

    Cartoon Network Amazone, the water park in Thailand that opened in 2014, is going from strength to strength and earlier this year, Turner opened a Tuzki-themed restaurant in Shanghai, China, and the first of a planned series of Cartoon Network retail stores in Seoul, Korea.

    Meanwhile in Dubai, Cartoon Network is all set to open its own themed zone at IMG Worlds of Adventure. In a number of other Asian markets, LBE projects in the CNE pipeline include Family Entertainment Centers and Retail-Dining-Entertainment experiences.

    Lee joins Turner from Rovio Entertainment in Europe, where he held the position of Director for Global LBE. There he worked with large-scale licensing deals and led innovative projects such as the first ever Angry Birds 4D film and Angry Birds VR experience. He has also held roles in Jack Rouse Associates and JBJ Associates and has worked on projects such as Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi, Crayola Experience in the US, Sochi Theme Park in Russia, and Angry Birds parks in the UK, Russia and Qatar.

  • Turner appoints Eric Lee to lead its LBE business

    Turner appoints Eric Lee to lead its LBE business

    MUMBAI: Turner Asia Pacific has appointed Eric Lee as director for Asia Pacific to lead its growing location-based entertainment (LBE) business for the region.

    Lee is tasked with identifying opportunities to develop consumer-facing experiences such as water parks, theme parks, branded retail and entertainment spaces. These environments utilize Cartoon Network’s global kids’ IP such as The Powerpuff Girls, Ben 10, We Bare Bears and Adventure Time, as well as Turner’s other youth-focused brands including Tuzki, according to a company statement.

    This is a new position for Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE), Turner’s licensing and merchandising arm, and demonstrates its commitment to developing more LBE initiatives around the region. Lee’s appointment is a part of a wider strategy by Turner to become an even more consumer-centric and IP-focused company.

    Turner Asia Pacific business development and overseas CNE senior vice president, Clément Schwebig was quoted in the statement as saying, “Eric is a talented and experienced individual who will straight away look to forge strategic relationships with local partners that will enable us to engage existing fans and win over new ones. LBE and the themed attraction business has huge potential for growth in Asia Pacific, and Cartoon Network’s world-famous franchises are well-loved by kids and families across the region.”

    The appointment comes at a period of growth for both the industry and Turner’s extensive portfolio of IP.

    Cartoon Network Amazone, the water park in Thailand that opened in 2014, is going from strength to strength and earlier this year, Turner opened a Tuzki-themed restaurant in Shanghai, China, and the first of a planned series of Cartoon Network retail stores in Seoul, Korea.

    Meanwhile in Dubai, Cartoon Network is all set to open its own themed zone at IMG Worlds of Adventure. In a number of other Asian markets, LBE projects in the CNE pipeline include Family Entertainment Centers and Retail-Dining-Entertainment experiences.

    Lee joins Turner from Rovio Entertainment in Europe, where he held the position of Director for Global LBE. There he worked with large-scale licensing deals and led innovative projects such as the first ever Angry Birds 4D film and Angry Birds VR experience. He has also held roles in Jack Rouse Associates and JBJ Associates and has worked on projects such as Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi, Crayola Experience in the US, Sochi Theme Park in Russia, and Angry Birds parks in the UK, Russia and Qatar.

  • 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.