SPT Opens Dubai Distribution Office

LONDON/DUBAI: Sony Pictures Television (SPT) has set up shop in the Middle East, opening a local sales office based in Dubai, with Ziad Yaghi leading the hub as executive director of sales.

The new post will be responsible for licensing TV series and films from Sony Pictures’ distribution catalogue, along with finished, local content produced by SPT Arabia. The office will report directly to SPT’s regional EMEA headquarters in London. Yaghi will lead the office as executive director of sales for the Middle East, responsible for SPT’s distribution activity across the region. He will report to Damian Newton, the senior VP of sales for the Middle East, Central and Eastern Europe, Greece, Turkey and Cyprus. Prior to joining SPT, Yaghi was the director of legal at Dubai Entertainment and Media Organisation.

Stuart Baxter, the senior executive VP for EMEA distribution, said: “Recent years have seen a boom in new TV channel launches across the Middle East, offering a real growth market that SPT’s distribution business can thrive in. This new office is part of our ongoing commitment to get closer to our clients and gain a greater understanding of their needs. Ziad brings impressive Middle East experience and, under his leadership, I’m certain this new base is set to become an important asset to our business.”