"We now have responsibility for territories and clients which account for about 60 per cent of Star's subscription sales in Southeast Asia," says Tanawat Wansom, vice-president and general manager in Thailand.
Previously, this number was closer to 45 per cent. The Southeast Asia offices of the cable and satellite television channel provider - in Bangkok, Singapore and Manila - cover not only the region, but also countries further afield which have no local presence.
As well as Thailand, Indo-china, Mongolia, Macau and Israel, the Bangkok office will now market the group's channels to South Korea, the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, Eastern Europe, Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States. With this increase, Tanawat expects to see a 20 per cent rise in revenue from sales of Star's subscription TV channels and syndication sales to terrestrial broadcasters. The reorganisation was partly sparked by the decision of David Ilangan, who managed the Philippine office, to return to Canada.
"As the next most senior manager in the team, I was given many of David's responsibilities which I will exercise from Bangkok, Tanawat says. The new Philippine general manager, Liza Latinazo, reports to Tanawat. One of Manila's priorities will be working with other organisations to combat "the long-standing problem of piracy and under-declaration in that market", says Tanawat. The company has assigned individuals to promote the leading channels in its portfolio - including Star Movies and National Geographic - in each market with the aim of making them recognisable brands.
