NEW YORK – A+E Networks has appointed Leena Singarajah Managing Director, Southeast Asia and Australia, and promoted Saugato Banerjee to Managing Director, North Asia.  Singarajah’s appointment and Banerjee’s promotion were announced today by Edward Sabin, Executive Managing Director, International, A+E Networks, to whom they will report.

Based in Singapore, Singarajah will be responsible for managing and expanding A+E’s channels and media assets in Southeast Asia and Australia, including the day-to-day relationships with the company’s partners and businesses in the region.  Singarajah will also draw on her extensive experience to focus on A+E’s digital strategy, a key expansion and execution area to fuel further growth in the region.

Banerjee, a veteran of A+E Networks, joined the company in 2011. During his tenure he has been a key force in driving A+E’s unparalleled innovation and business execution in the region. He also played a key role in the rapid expansion of the SEA business, as evidenced by the company’s successful launches of History and Lifetime in Korea, and in achieving record ratings for History Japan. In his new role, Banerjee will continue to manage growth in Korea and Japan and will chart A+E’s continued growth and expansion in China.

Alan Hodges, who joined A+E Networks in 2002, will be leaving his position as Managing Director, Asia-Pacific.  Prem Kamath, Deputy Managing Director, Asia-Pacific, will be staying on as a strategic advisor through the end of October, and will thereafter depart to pursue his entrepreneurial ambitions in the digital space.
Singarajah joins A+E Networks from Scripps Networks, where she served as Managing Director, Asia.  Singarajah developed and executed the growth strategy for Scripps Networks’ lifestyle brands across the region.

Prior to joining Scripps Networks Singarajah served as Head of Sales and Business Development, Asia Pacific for IMG Media, where she was responsible for overseeing content and channel distribution. 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.

As Head of Strategy and Business Development for the Asia Pacific region, Banerjee has been integral to the growth of A+E Networks across the Asia Pacific region. He played a key role in the rapid expansion of the SEA business and oversaw the Digital, Operations and Research functions in the region. He also carried out responsibilities as a caretaker GM of AETN 18 in India during a crucial period of change.

Prior to his assignment at A+E Networks, Banerjee held various roles in media and advertising in his previous jobs at ESPN STAR Sports, CNBC Asia Pacific, Contract Advertising and FCB India. He is an Economics graduate with a post graduate diploma in Communications.