Singapore – Leena Singarajah, a media veteran with more than 18 years of experience in channel and content distribution, sales and business development, has been appointed as the Head of Distribution and Ad Sales, Scripps Networks Asia-Pacific, and will be based in Singapore. Singarajah, who will begin immediately in a limited capacity, will start full time on January 1, 2015, and will report to Derek Chang, Managing Director, Scripps Networks Asia-Pacific.

In this newly created role, Singarajah will develop strategies for the continued distribution growth and regional and local ad sales business development for Scripps Networks’ channels across the region, including Asian Food Channel, Food Network, Travel Channel and HGTV. She will also manage programme sales and distribution in the region, in partnership with Hud Woodle, Vice President, International Program Licensing and Distribution. Her direct reports will include Angelica Santa Maria, Vice President of Ad Sales Asia Pacific, Tomas Petrzela, Vice President of Affiliate Sales and Candice Chua, Senior Director of Affiliate Sales.

Leena Singarajah

“As Scripps Networks continues to expand rapidly in the Asia-Pacific region, it’s important that we continue to invest in our infrastructure and leadership teams,” said Chang. “Leena is extremely well respected and has a wealth of experience in the region across all elements of the business from content development and licensing to the creation and distribution of networks. Her talents and expertise in the areas of business development and ad sales make her a valuable addition to our team.”

Prior to joining Scripps Networks, Singarajah served as Senior Vice President, Head of Sales and Business Development, Asia Pacific for IMG Media, where she was responsible for overseeing content and channel distribution, sales, production and business development across the region. During her tenure, she launched IMG Media’s first and only fully-owned 24-hour sports channel, EDGEsport. She also oversaw IMG Media’s Entertainment Division portfolio, including a wide-ranging, high-volume lifestyle catalogue.

Singarajah is a graduate of both the Malaysian Institute of Management, where she obtained her associate’s degree in business administration, and the University of Technology Malaysia, where she received an associate’s degree in electrical engineering. She is based in Singapore.