BBC Studios Asia Pacific EVP, Jon Penn, announced that Ding Ke has been appointed the new SVP & General Manager for Greater China, based in Beijing.
Currently Head of Content Sales & Formats for BBC Studios in mainland China, Ding Ke will be responsible for BBC Studio’s Greater China business, including content distribution, co- productions, format sales and branded services. She replaces Kelvin Yau, who left the company in December, and the appointment will come into effect from 1 June, 2020.
In addition, Phil Hardman who has been Acting GM of Greater China in the intervening months, will take on a broader remit as SVP Commercial Strategy for BBC Studios Asia from 1 June. Phil’s new role will see him lead Asia’s business growth strategy.
Jon Penn, EVP BBC Studios APAC, says: “Ding Ke has been an integral part of the leadership team in China since she joined in 2011, and has been responsible for strong sales growth over the last three years as our Head of Content Sales & Formats. She has forged new partnerships with clients and is an outstanding ambassador for BBC Studios’ Global Distribution business in the region.
“Phil has done an exceptional job leading the Greater China team over the last few months and his new, expanded role will enable us to reap the benefits of his strategic commercial leadership. I’m delighted that we have such strong leaders to help us grow in the territory.”
Ding Ke says: “I am passionate about BBC Studios content and proud to work with such brilliant teams across Beijing, Taipei and Hong Kong, witnessing positive development and rapid change in China’s content market and local platforms over the past nine years.
“I’m looking forward to cooperating with our valued clients, delighting audiences by bringing bold, British, creativity to the market, and helping to realise our partners’ ambitions.”
Although Ding Ke will be the Global Distribution leader for the region, she will work with Julia Nocciolino, SVP Commercial, who leads the Consumer Products business across Asia, and Emma Ong, Head of Business Development for BBC Studios Production, who works with partners in the region to develop commissions and co-productions.
Ding Ke’s appointment completes the business leaders for the BBC Studios APAC region under Jon Penn’s leadership. They are: Fiona Lang, GM for ANZ based in Sydney; Ryan Shiotani, SVP & GM for S&SE Asia based in Singapore; Geo Lee, SVP & GM NE Asia based in Seoul; and now Ding Ke as SVP & GM Greater China based in Beijing.
Ding Ke biography:
Ding Ke became Head of Content Sales & Formats for BBC Studios in Mainland China in 2017, leading content distribution and co-production deals, as well as looking after BBC Studios’ format business. During this time she played a key role in securing co-productions with CCTV9, launching BBC Earth Tribe on Tencent, fostering a British drama community on Youku, as well as securing multiple business co-operations with BiliBili, Xigua (ByteDance), Huawei and many more.
Ding Ke originally joined BBC Studios, then BBC Worldwide, in 2011 where she was responsible for TV sales in mainland China. From 2014 to 2016, she transferred to the Consumer Products department where she managed live events and the consumer products business in China. In this role, she was instrumental in brokering key partnerships, such as a Sherlock brand licensing deal with Costa Coffee in China, and landing the first BBC Earth concert in Shanghai.
Previous to BBC Studios, Ding Ke worked for Chellomedia’s China branch Encore International. She was mainly responsible for channel distribution for CCTV and corporate PR.
Phil Hardman biography:
Phil Hardman has most recently been the Acting GM for Greater China alongside his role as SVP, Commercial Operations and Strategy. During this time, he has led the team to secure a multi-regional partnership with Huawei, a broad content partnership with Xigua (Bytedance) and launched BBC First on MyVideo in Taiwan.
Phil Hardman moved to BBC Studios, then BBC Worldwide, in 2014 to be the Financial Controller for Asia. From 2016-2018 Phil became VP Finance, Asia leading the finance function across the region and a member of the Asia Board for BBC Studios. Since 2018, his role has expanded to include business operations for China, commercial operations and strategy across Asia.
Phil started his career in Grant Thornton (UK) in the Business Risk Services team and is a Chartered Accountant. His first joined the BBC in an internal audit role before later joining BBC Studios in 2014.
