FIC Bolsters Team for Asian Growth

HONG KONG: Fox International Channels (FIC) has appointed Edwina Ngao as VP and territory head for Mainland China and Byrd Bunnag as territory head for Thailand.

Ngao will lead Chinese expansion for FIC, growing its channel portfolio, distribution network, advertising sales capabilities and further localizing content, packaging and marketing for the Chinese audiences. She will specifically support FIC’s leading factual entertainment brand National Geographic Channel. Ngao will report to Joanne Tsai, the senior VP and general manager for China and Taiwan at Fox International Channels. Tsai commented of the appointement, “Edwina brings tremendous drive and commercial acumen to FIC’s world-class team in the region, and she will help us build our burgeoning business on the Mainland. China is an important market for FIC, and we are committed to working closely with our local partners—in distribution, advertising sales and production—to develop the industry in line with the highest international standards.”

Bunnag is to lead growth in Thailand. Bunnag will work to extend the channel network’s local business by strengthening its affiliate relationships, expanding its channel portfolio, boosting ad sales and ensuring that offerings are localized to the market. Bunnag will report to Avi Himatsinghani, the senior VP and general manager for Southeast Asia at Fox International Channels. Himatsinghani said: “As Thailand’s pay TV scene becomes more dynamic and competitive, FIC is preparing to aggressively pursue growth by offering more top-quality channels, localized for Thai tastes. With broad experience in the media and entertainment business and an energetic management style, Byrd is the ideal leader to take us to the next level in this exciting market."