SPTI Promotes Cunningham

CULVER CITY, March 5: Sony
Pictures Television International (SPTI) has announced a promotion and an
expansion of duties for two members of its international networks group,
Superna Kalle and George Chan.

Kalle has been upped to
senior VP with oversight of the group's television networks business in India,
Multi Screen Media, which includes the channels Sony Entertainment Television
(SET), MAX, SAB and PIX. She will work with each channel’s management to ensure
profitability and establish overall business priorities and new initiatives.
Kalle will also continue to expand the portfolio of Indian channels and content
across multiple distribution platforms in the U.S. Additionally, Kalle will sit
on the board of TheOneAlliance,
Multi Screen’s distribution joint venture with Discovery Communications India.
Prior to her promotion, Kalle was SPTI’s VP of international networks since
2005.

George Chien, the VP of
international networks, takes on an expanded role to provide leadership to
SPTI's international networks business in Southeast Asia and Japan. He will
provide management support to SPTI’s Asian television networks such as AXN and
Animax in Japan; AXN Asia, Animax Asia and SET in Singapore; AXN and Animax in
Korea; and AXN Beyond in the Philippines. He will also work with Kalle in
providing leadership to SET, MAX, SAB and PIX in India. In addition, he will
assist in evaluating new expansion and acquisition opportunities in the region.
Furthermore, he will sit on the board of AXN Japan, a joint venture with
Jupiter TV. Chien has served as the VP of international networks since 2007,
and was previously the executive director of international networks.

Both executives are based at
SPTI’s global headquarters in Culver City and report directly to Andy Kaplan, the president of international networks.

“Rarely does one company
have executives with the intelligence, foresight and dynamic skills that
Superna and George have, and I’m thrilled to be able to give them expanded
responsibilities,” said Kaplan.
“Superna has played an integral role in the growth of our channels
business in India and we’ll count on her expertise in the management of our
businesses there. George has tremendous knowledge of our international networks
business and will take on an expanded role in overseeing the continued growth
of our businesses in Asia.”

—By Ned Berke