(6 August 2005 2:00 pm)

MUMBAI: Ross Hair, who currently serves as Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) VP, has been elevated to the senior VP position.

As had been reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com, the position became vacant after incumbent Darren Childs quit to join BBC Worldwide to oversee its global channels business.

Hair will continue to be based in SPTI’s European headquarters in London, and will report to SPTI senior executive VP international networks Andy Kaplan and senior executive VP and MD Europe John McMahon. He will oversee the management of all SPTI's networks efforts in EMEA, including AXN’s channels in Europe and the Middle East, and SPTI’s investment in HBO in Central Europe.

Kaplan said, "Since joining SPTI in 2001, Ross has been instrumental in the launches of several AXN channels in Europe, including those of AXN in Central Europe and Germany. As we continue to expand our operations in Europe, we are thrilled to have Ross lead the team."

Hair joined SPTI from ESPN Star Sports (ESS), where he was director of strategic planning. Before that he was head of commercial affairs at Nickelodeon UK.