MUMBAI: More than two decades after launching with pan-regional CNN and Cartoon Network services and having grown its business to 23 channels and 29 websites in nine languages, Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific (TBSAP) has decided to realign its structure to reflect its considerable business outside Hong Kong.

In order to pursue the network?s ambitious new goals in an
increasingly dynamic and fragmented Asia-Pacific region, TBSAP is to re-balance its resources to make use of the opportunities in North Asia, South Asia and South east Asia/Pacific which will come under a new management structure.

Commented BSAP President and MD Steve Marcopoto, ?The driving principle behind our new set-up is to provide ownership and accountability to each Asia- Pacific sub-region in pursuit of growth. To better align us to meet the challenges and opportunities of these distinct markets in the years ahead, business will be run out of each sub-region with Hong Kong oversight and support.?

Those of whose roles in TBSAP?s executive team have been realigned are:

Sunny Saha, who will assume the post of SVP and MD of Entertainment Networks, TBSAP. He will take on the additional responsibilities on strategic planning across the company, even while continuing to oversee the functions in Hong Kong that support TBSAP?s new sub-regional operations. He will also directly manage the company?s entertainment networks in Southeast Asia/Pacific, with the support of Robi Stanton who will assume the role of GM, Networks Australia and New Zealand. Saha will remain as TBSAP?s lead executive for all activities on global properties such as Cartoon Network.

Anshuman Misra, who has been upgraded to the post of SVP and MD of Networks and Content Distribution (NCD) Asia-Pacific, will take on full responsibility for Turner?s content sales business across the region. He will also assume responsibility for syndication sales.

The North Asia region would be managed by Yew Ming Lau who will assume the new role of SVP & MD, North Asia.

Siddharth Jain will assume management of South Asia as SVP and MD while Monica Tata, who has been made VP and GM Networks, will now manage all of Turner?s India networks with the assistance of dedicated business heads reporting to her.

In light of the increasing priority of CNN International News Source, Ringo Chan will lay focus on this pursuit as SVP, CNN Broadcast Sales & Affiliate Relations besides maintaining his responsibilities for NCD in Greater China as well as the important liaison work he conducts for TBSAP with the PRC.

While Jeremy Carr will assume additional responsibility for growing TBSAP?s digital entertainment properties as VP Entertainment, Digital & Adsales, Phil Nelson will assume full regional responsibility for Business Development as VP of Business Development, Asia Pacific.

These new operating arrangements will take effect immediately.

MUMBAI: Turner Broadcasting System chairman, CEO Phil Kent will be the opening morning keynote speaker at Natpe |Content First, the US based marketplace for buyers and sellers.

The announcement was made by Natpe president, CEO Rick Feldman. Natpe will take place at Miami Beach from 23 - 25 January 2011 at the Fontainebleau Resort, bringing together industry professionals from around the world to conduct business, identify new opportunities and discuss new models for the future.

Feldman said, "Phil has a broad portfolio. Because of all the content that Turner creates and distributes here and around the world, Phil is in a unique position from which to view the present and the future. He can speak to the creative and business challenges and can also speak to the vast global, multiplatform opportunities which are dramatically changing our business."

Kent oversees a portfolio of domestic and international news, entertainment and animation, young adult and kids networks and businesses including CNN/US, CNN International, CNN.com and HLN; TBS, TNT, Turner Classic Movies and truTV; Cartoon Network, and Adult Swim; and Turner Sports.