(26 November 2008 6:00 pm)

MUMBAI: NDS, which provides technology solutions for digital pay-TV, has announced that Sue Taylor has been promoted to senior VP, GM Asia Pacific with responsibility for all operations across the region. She continues to be a member of the NDS executive committee.

Taylor joined NDS in 1995 at its regional headquarters in Hong Kong, where she supported Star TV as it launched its digital TV service using NDS conditional access systems. She continues to work closely with Star and other NDS Asia Pacific customers to help them leverage their investment in technology to grow their pay-TV businesses.

The region also plays an important role in NDS’ R&D operations, particularly its centres in India and Korea. Earlier this month, NDS announced that it has invested over $120 million in India since opening its R&D centre in Bangalore in 2000. Furthermore it plans to accelerate investment in India over the next three years.

NDS chairman and CEO Dr Abe Peled says, “Since joining us 13 years ago, Sue has done an outstanding job establishing NDS as the leading player in Asia. She has built a first rate team and grown our business in the region from a single customer to over 30 customers and over $150 million in revenues“.

NDS Asia Pacific customers include Astro (Malaysia), Bharti Airtel, Tata Sky, and Hathway Cable and Datacom (India), CCTV, China Cable Network, Sichuan Cable Network, Guizhou Cable TV (China) and Star (Hong Kong).

NDS has also appointed Jesper Knutsson as VP and GM of sales, NDS Americas. The company says that his knowledge of and experience in the industry will play a key role in developing sales strategies, implementing new business initiatives and helping customers capitalise on emerging interactive TV applications.

Knutsson continues to be a member of the NDS executive committee. In this position, he will be responsible for the overall sales strategy for NDS in the US and Canada.

Prior to this appointment, Knutsson was NDS Vice President, Interactive TV, based in Denmark where the NDS interactive division is headquartered. In this role, he worked closely on the development of innovative interactive TV applications for QVC and interactive games such as the Golf LaunchPad/XTV Experience™ and branded content for major broadcasters such as Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network. Knutsson will continue to oversee NDS Denmark.

Caroline Le Bigot has taken on responsibility for its business in Latin America in addition to her senior role in Europe Middle East and Africa. In recognition of her contribution to NDS and reflecting her expanded responsibility, Le Bigot has been promoted to NDS senior VP, EMEA and Latin America, and NDS France GM. She remains a member of the NDS executive committee.

NDS chairman and CEO Dr Abe Peled says, “Over the last five years Caroline has made numerous contributions to NDS including the integration of NDS France. She has assumed ever-increasing responsibility; most recently spearheading our success in Germany working with Premiere, Tele Columbus, Arcor and Kabel BW.

“The nascent digital TV market in Latin America represents a significant potential opportunity for NDS. Caroline has an established track record of successfully managing international businesses, making her an excellent choice to lead our organisation’s expansion in the region”.