ITV

Tag: Zubin Gandevia

  • Uday Shankar becomes president of 21st Century Fox, Asia

    Uday Shankar becomes president of 21st Century Fox, Asia

    Mumbai: Star India chairman and CEO Uday Shankar has been elevated to the position of president, 21st Century Fox (21CF), Asia, effective immediately.

    According to 21CF, in his new role, Shankar will lead the company’s video businesses across all of Asia, including Star India and Fox Networks Group, and work closely with 21CF leadership on key strategic initiatives in the region. He will continue to serve as chairman and CEO of Star India, a key driver of 21CF’s growth and one of India’s largest media and entertainment companies. Fox Networks Group Asia president Zubin Gandevia, who used to earlier report into 21st Century Fox president Peter Rice, will continue to oversee video brands across 14 markets and now report to Uday  under this realigned regional structure. 21CF’s film business in Asia will continue to report directly to 20th Century Fox Film chairman & CEO Stacey Snider.

    “Uday’s new role will enhance our strategic focus across all of Asia and enable us to further capture opportunities, building on the transformation Star India has driven in our most important growth market,” said Fox executive chairman Lachlan Murdoch and CEO James Murdoch in a joint statement.

    “Under Uday’s leadership, our India business has firmly established itself as a world-class asset with durable businesses across entertainment, sports, satellite distribution and OTT. His strategic vision has put 21CF at the forefront of content and distribution in one of the world’s fastest growing economies, and we are very fortunate to benefit from Uday’s expanded leadership at a global level,” they said.

  • Fox Asia appoints Mike Rich as EVP, Dawes departs

    MUMBAI: Fox Networks Group (FNG) Asia has named media the industry veteran Mike Rich as the executive vice president, advertising sales & content partnerships for Asia Pacific and the Middle East. The company also announced that Simeon Dawes, who has been keen to focus full-time on his other business interest, will leave the group by the end of April.

    In this enhanced role, Rich will lead teams across the region to identify new revenue streams for FNG Asia and its content partners, and to further strengthen FNG’s position as a leader in advertising innovation. He will report to Fox Network Groups Asia president Zubin Gandevia.

    Rich has more than 25 years of media and marketing experience in agency and client roles, and he brings to FNG Asia a keen understanding of the content and media industry across the US, Europe and Asia. He most recently served as Global President of Publicis Media’s Content Ventures division. Prior to that, he was CEO of GroupM Asia’s content business. Rich has also consulted for a multitude of major rights owners.

    Rich’s appointment follows the earlier hiring of Italo Zanzi as executive vice-president and managing director for Fox Sports as the group has been working to strengthen its sports, advertising sales and content creation teams across the region.

    Gandevia said, “With an incredible portfolio of channel brands and the world’s greatest television programming, Fox has a unique opportunity to leverage its assets to expand and develop existing and new revenue streams in Asia. Simeon has been a key figure in building the Fox business in Asia and I want to thank him for everything he has done for us and wish him all the best. At the same time we are delighted that Mike is joining us to contribute his wealth of experience with brands, agencies and content to help us continue delivering innovative solutions and ignite our full commercial potential.”

    Rich said, “The quality of global TV has never been better, and Fox is perfectly positioned to drive greater outcomes for consumers and commercial partners alike. Fox and I have ambitious plans in the content creation and digital distribution arenas, and I could not be happier to join such a forward-thinking global media business.”

    Dawes added, “The time is right for me to focus on my other business interest as I’m able to leave Fox knowing that with Mike and Italo the right people are in place. For the past seven years I have also had an interest in building a health and nutrition distribution business and now I can turn my full attention to leading and growing that, something I’ve been keen to do for some time.”

  • Fox launches video streaming service in Asia

    MUMBAI: After Hooq, iflix, and Netflix, Fox Networks Group Asia has entered the digital space with the launch of its video streaming service Fox+.

    The streaming service app features TV series, first-run Hollywood blockbusters, hit Chinese series and movies, live sports and thrilling documentaries, all in one place, accessible from any device (on televisions, computers, tablet, smart phones) in high definition.

    The app was launched on 7 March at Makati City in the Phillipines by Fox Networks Group Asia president Zubin Gandevia. Its launch in seven more countries in the Asia Pacific is slated to follow suit within the year.

    The app showcase the latest TV series shown on the same day as the US, the latest movies shortly after theatrical release, both often one full year before other subscription services. It will have live sports via Fox Sports, amounting to more than 10,000 hours of content.

    Fox is not just a robust content creator with movies such as Deadpool, Logan, etc, but it also claims to be the biggest content-buyer in the region. Several studios like Walt Disney will also be making available their content on the service.

    The entry of Fox+ makes it the fourth streaming service in the country. A Fox+ subscription costs around approx Rs 512/month (P390) whereas its competitor Netflix starts at Rs 486/month (P370) for the basic tier while Hooq charges Rs 261(P199) and iflix Rs 169 (P129)

    Fox+ will be available for subscribers of Cignal and PLDT/SMART broadband subscribers for a discounted price as the company wants to preserve the loyalty of their fans.

  • Fox reorganises international division, CEO Hernan Lopez to quit

    Fox reorganises international division, CEO Hernan Lopez to quit

    MUMBAI: In a major restructuring exercise, Fox Networks Group is reorganising its international television unit, consolidating its international channels under regional hubs in Europe, Latin America and Asia.

     

    With this development, Fox International Channels CEO Hernan Lopez will leave the company.

     

    Under the new structure, FIC banner will be discontinued. Additionally, Zubin Gandevia will become president of Fox Networks Group Asia, while Jan Koeppen and Carlos Martinez will hold the same position Europe and Latin America respectively.

     

    All three will report to Fox Networks Group CEO and chairman Peter Rice and Fox Networks Group president and COO Randy Freer.

     

    “As our television business expands globally, the success and scale of our entertainment and sports brands in these fast-growing regions demand that they stand independently. Jan, Carlos and Zubin are extremely talented executives with a sharp understanding of the opportunities for new content and programming in their regions,” Rice said.

     

    “At Fox, I’ve been fortunate to work with some of the most talented and creative people in media. I want to thank the several thousand employees and alumni of FIC, as well as Peter Rice, Chase Carey, James, Lachlan and Rupert Murdoch. I’ve been inspired by them and many colleagues throughout Fox, News Corp and Sky, and look forward to future collaborations as I embark on this next stage of my career,” Lopez added.

     

    Gandevia, Koeppen and Martinez will oversee Fox Network Groups’ 350-plus international entertainment, sports, factual and movie channels.

  • FIC promotes Keertan Adyanthaya as EVP Hong Kong & SE Asia

    FIC promotes Keertan Adyanthaya as EVP Hong Kong & SE Asia

    MUMBAI: Fox International Channels head of entertainment and factual channels for Hong Kong & Southeast Asia Keertan Adyanthaya has been elevated as executive vice president – content and communications – Hong Kong & Southeast Asia with effect from 1 September.

     

    In his new role, Adyanthaya will be responsible for all content, channel operations and marketing for the HK and SE Asia covering Hollywood and Chinese entertainment as well as factual genres.

     

    It may be recalled that a couple of months back Adyanthaya, who was heading FIC’s India operations as NGC Network India managing director, was re-located to Hong Kong to handle a broader portfolio.

     

    Adyanthaya elevation is one of many structural reshuffling done by FIC in north Asia so as to align with its new strategy as the company positions itself for a growth spurt in China with an aim to ramp up its investment in production of Chinese content and communications. The restructuring exercise reflects emerging opportunities in these markets including China, Japan and Korea.

     

    FIC Asia Pacific and Middle East president Zubin Gandevia said, “Japan and Korea are two of the biggest media markets in our footprint.  In view of recent strategic partnerships we’ve forged in both countries, including with JTBC to launch JTBC3 FOX Sports in Korea and with Avex in Japan as part of an OTT offering, we see massive potential for further growth in these markets.”

     

    As a part of the restructuring, FIC managing director for SE Asia and Hong Kong Joon Lee will now move into a dual role, which is focused on driving growth initiatives in Japan and Korea as well as increasing FIC’s share of the growing opportunities in original Chinese production as executive vice president, North Asia & head of original productions – Mainland China.

     

    “Joon’s unique combination of experience – his familiarity with our businesses in both countries plus his proven leadership and creativity – will be invaluable in helping us to dive deeper in these markets,” added Gandevia.

     

    On the other hand, Simeon Dawes has been named FIC EVP ad sales and partnerships and MD – Hong Kong, Southeast Asia & Middle East and will take over some of Lee’s responsibilities in Hong Kong and southeast Asia, even as he will continue to oversee FIC’s Middle Eastern business and ad sales across Asia Pacific.

     

    FIC EVP commercial and sports Rohit D’Silva will continue in his current role, which includes the FOX Sports Asia business as well as affiliate and content partnerships, and non-linear products. 

     

    “Keertan’s proven successes with content-driven initiatives will complement Simeon and Rohit’s ability to forge mutually beneficial partnerships with our advertisers and platform partners.  All four executives are proven leaders in FIC and will without a doubt propel our businesses in North and Southeast Asia to new heights,” Gandevia said.