MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) Networks Asia has promoted 19 personnel from the Asia headquarters in Singapore and from the Taiwan office as well as hired four new personnel into the operations department.

Out of the 19 promotions, five have been promoted to key positions in the company. Notably, AXN Taiwan director advertising sales and marketing Steven Tsou has been promoted to executive director of advertising sales and marketing.

From advertising sales, operations to creative services, SPE Networks Asia is looking at big promotions within.

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SPE Networks Asia general manager Ricky Ow says, “The recent promotions are in line with the big plans of SPE Networks Asia. It represents our drive to gain a bigger footprint in key Asia markets. Our colleagues have shown exceptional talent and dedication in shaping both channels into top TV brands that have massive appeal. We have a very capable team and their promotions are in recognition of their contributions to the company.”

One of the key reasons behind these promotions is to maintain AXN’s current market position as well as increase the stronghold of Animax across the region.

AXN Taiwan has gained five promotions. In his position as AXN Taiwan director advertising sales and marketing, Tsou contributed efficiently to three departments — advertising sales, marketing and distribution. He established and strengthened the AXN brand, met the group’s target revenue and maintained its 99 per cent market penetration in the country. Besides being a key player in the successful launch of Animax Taiwan in 2004, he also developed and oversaw the sponsorship of local production Taiwan AXN Xtreme, which was held in Taipei in 2003 and 2004.

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While from programming in AXN Taiwan former programming manager Taiyi Liu will lead the programming of AXN and Animax in her new position as senior programming manager. Having joined AXN Taiwan since 2000, Liu has contributed to AXN’s viewership growth with excellent programming strategies that meet Taiwan viewers’ needs.

On the operations front at the company’s headquarters in Singapore, Simon Wong has been promoted to the position of director operations from his previous position as associate director operations. Since joining SPE Networks Asia in 2000, Wong has demonstrated leadership skills in the operations department and he was one of the key people who contributed to the launch of Animax in 2004. He has facilitated the restructuring and running of network presentation, content services and post production for both channels; designed and rebuilt the post production facility of the company.

Eric Tan, previously the account director advertising sales, has been promoted to senior account director. Having moved from the print media industry in 1999, Tan successfully grew the company’s client base and built the advertising sales network. He was a key figure in the advertising sales team, which persevered to break new grounds in increasing the channels’ advertising revenue.

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The AXN marketing team too has gained three promotions. AXN marketing manager Tay Ying Hui, who looked after the East Asian countries including Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Hong Kong, has been promoted as senior marketing executive. Hui was instrumental in executing and overseeing the marketing communications of AXN since 2002 and led the brand team since January 2005. She has been a contributing factor in organising and executing five out of the seven AXN Challenges held in Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines and Hong Kong.