Turner Unveils Southeast Asia Arm, Appoints GM

HONG KONG: Turner Asia Pacific has launched a new Southeast Asia organization and tapped a new regional head to be based in Singapore.

Vishal Dembla has become the VP and general manager of Turner Southeast Asia. In his new position, he is responsible for expanding all of Turner’s commercial and channel operations in the region, as well as the day-to-day management of its kids’ and entertainment business in Southeast Asia.

In addition to managing all commercial lines, including ad and content sales, Dembla will handle the region’s programming, creative services and marketing departments for all of Turner’s kids’ and entertainment brands. The team will also oversee the network distribution side of the business, with a focus on further expanding the reach of such brands as CNN International, Warner TV, Oh!K, Cartoon Network and Boomerang in Southeast Asia.

Previously, Dembla managed Turner’s distribution and content sales in Hong Kong, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines. He is now also overseeing Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.

“For the first time, we have aligned all our Southeast Asia efforts under one executive and these changes will enable Turner to better develop its growing business in this region,” said Phil Nelson, Turner’s managing director for Southeast Asia Pacific and North Asia. “Vishal has been an integral member of our senior management team—forging new initiatives and driving growth—and is well-positioned for this new role.”