HONG KONG – Fox International Channels (FIC) is giving its management team in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia a boost with new appointments in a bid to further accelerate its pan-regional advertising sales capabilities and drive local market growth following a year of outstanding business performance in fiscal 2010. Simeon Dawes has been appointed senior vice president for Fox One Stop Media (FOSM) while Rejesh Sheshadri has been appointed head of a newly created Trade Solutions division within FOSM. Dawes, based in Hong Kong, will lead FOSM’s vast network of advertising sales representatives across 10 Asian offices to drive pan-regional advertising sales revenue. A 17-year veteran in the industry, Dawes started his career in Australia by earning key roles in renowned advertising agencies, such as McCann Erickson and DDB before focusing on the international broadcasting sector with a move to CNBC Asia. Dawes later joined Discovery Channel as sales director, and was promoted to vice president of client solutions and head of regional advertising sales (Asia), before becoming a business development consultant for FIC in Asia. Reporting to chief operating officer Zubin Gandevia, Dawes takes over from Jonathan Ellis, who established FOSM in his role as senior vice president for revenue and partnerships. Ellis is leaving FIC to focus on entrepreneurial endeavors in the mobile technology arena. Meanwhile, Sheshadri will head the new Trade Solutions division of FOSM. Comprising creative production, advertising sales, marketing and communications experts, the Trade Solutions service tailors strategic 360-degree media solutions for pan-regional advertisers to further leverage FOSM’s iconic channel brands and leading audience reach. In addition, Sheshadri becomes territory head of FIC’s flagship market of Hong Kong, where he will continue to expand the local business in terms of channel portfolio, localized content, packaging, marketing and local advertising sales. Sheshadri transfers to Hong Kong after five years at FIC in India, most recently as senior vice President of Content and Communication. A 12-year industry veteran, Sheshadri has helped develop some of India’s highest profile TV, radio and print media. He takes over the FIC role from Sonia Jackson, who has a dual role as senior vice president of marketing, and general manager of Hong Kong and the Philippines. Jackson is taking a sabbatical year and will continue to work with FIC as a business consultant. Jude Turcuato will continue to lead as territory director for the Philippines but will now report directly to Zubin Gandevia, chief operating officer and continue to exploit business development opportunities in terms of localizing the rich channel portfolio and driving local affiliate and advertising sales. Meanwhile, Yvonne Tay will move to Singapore as vice president and territory head for Singapore to further build FIC’s leadership in Southeast Asia. Tay, who was stationed in Hong Kong vice president for advertising sales and partnerships, will now be responsible for further expanding the FOSM business in that territory, leading the Singapore-based regional advertising sales team to continue to unlock the potential of multi-market advertising in this region. Tay will report directly to Avi Himatsinghani, senior vice president and general manager for Southeast Asia.