MediaCorp appoints Managing Director of Interactive Media Division

SINGAPORE – MediaCorp announced the appointment of Philip Koh as managing director, interactive media division with effect from 1 April 2010.

Koh is currently managing director, MediaCorp Press, which operates and owns the Today newspaper. Under his leadership, Today has launched numerous new media initiatives, including its popular website, www. todayonline.com, and its mobile applications.

For both portfolios, Koh will report to Shaun Seow, deputy CEO (news, radio, print and interactive).

Universal Networks International ups Williams to Vice President, Sales and Commercial Operations Asia Pacific

SINGAPORE – Universal Networks International (UNI) announced the appointment of Christopher J. Williams to the newly created position of vice president, sales and commercial operations Asia Pacific with immediate effect. He will continue to be based in Singapore. The announcement was made by Raymund Miranda, managing director Asia Pacific for Universal Networks International. Williams was part of the launch team of UNI in the Asia Pacific region, joining the company in April 2008 as vice president, commercial and network development.

In this new role, Williams will assume an expanded role, which will add two additional portfolios, advertising sales and affiliate sales, to his existing position as vice president of commercial and network development.

Christopher Chew, affiliate sales director APAC and Salauddin Sinnakandu, advertising sales director APAC will now be reporting into Williams.

Former NBC news producer Stephanie Giambruno joins Metan Development Group as Senior Producer, China

BEIJING – Award-winning, former NBC News producer Stephanie Giambruno will join Metan Development Group’s Beijing-based production team as senior producer, China, the announcement was made by Metan’s Barbara Wellner, vice president of programming and Rick Portin, vice president of production, to whom Giambruno will report.

In her new role, Giambruno will be charged with overseeing and supervising all original production originating from Metan’s China office, with a special focus on Metan’s Hello! Hollywood series.

Most recently, Giambruno worked as a freelance feature and news writer/producer for NBC News’ Beijing bureau providing coverage for all network news programming including Nightly News, Today Show, NBC Sports, MSNBC and CNBC. In 2008, she provided extensive coverage of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing for the network. She has lived and worked in Beijing for the past four years.

From 1999-2005, she served as a staff producer for NBC’s Today Show where she wrote and produced award-winning news and feature segments for the top-rated national daily morning show.

Bloomberg Television names Lindsey Oliver Commercial Director for EMEA and Asia

Bloomberg Television network has named Lindsey Oliver commercial director in charge of distribution for Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Oliver will add to her current responsibilities and oversee marketing and distribution for Asia, effective immediately. She will continue to report to Brian Martinez, Bloomberg Television’s head for Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

In 2009, Oliver increased the distribution of Bloomberg Television’s single, global Englishlanguage network across Europe, Africa and the Middle East to more than 140 million households, up from 28 million in 2008. She was also instrumental in establishing Bloomberg Television’s brand collaboration in Turkey, BloombergHT (Haberturk), which began airing this January.

Oliver joined Bloomberg Television in January 2009. She has previously served as commercial director at Al Jazeera International, where she launched the network in 80 million households, as well as CNBC Europe.

Celestial Pictures appoints Senior Vice President of Marketing

HONG KONG – Celestial Pictures announced the appointment of Andy Chang as senior vice president, marketing. Chang’s appointment follows the recent addition of film veterans Peter Poon and Rosa Li to the senior management team, signaling the rapid changes CEO Ross Pollack has implemented since he joined the company last September.

In his role as SVP, marketing, effective 8 March 2010, Chang will oversee marketing for all of Celestial Pictures’ businesses, from theatrical and TV series production and distribution to its pan-regional channels. Chang will also lead Celestial’s corporate branding and communication efforts as the company expands in Asia Pacific and globally.

Chang brings to Celestial Pictures a wealth of media marketing experience from his years working at two Hollywood studios, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Metro-Goldwyn- Mayer Inc. Prior to joining Celestial, Chang was vice president, marketing, Asia Pacific of Sony Pictures Television.

Before joining Sony Pictures Television and relocating to Hong Kong, Chang oversaw marketing for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s international television division, based in Los Angeles. At Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Chang worked with broadcasters from around the world to promote the company’s key franchises. In addition to the two studios, Chang also held positions in several independent film production and distribution companies.