BBC expands ad sales team in Asia

The decision reflects the company's commitment to investment in this growth region, with a focus on the key priority markets of China, Korea, Japan, India and fast-track SE Asia

BestMediaInfo Bureau | Mumbai | September 3, 2014

Katy Xu and John Williams

BBC Advertising, part of BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), is boosting its ad sales team in Asia to make the most of growth opportunities in the region.

In response to a strong growth forecast in advertising revenue in Asia-Pacific, combined with a global ad sales strategy to get closer to customers and identify new cross-platform opportunities, two new roles have been created within the Asia leadership team. The decision reflects the desire to build on the existing success of BBC Advertising in Asia and a commitment to investment in this growth region, with a focus on key priority markets of China, Korea, Japan, India and fast-track SE Asia.

John Williams has been appointed Vice-President, ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) & India, and will be based in Singapore. Katy Xu will take on the role of Vice-President, Greater China & North Asia, and will be based in Hong Kong. Both will report directly to Sunita Rajan, EVP, Advertising Sales, Asia, BBC Worldwide.

Williams has relocated to Asia from New York, where he was previously Vice-President, International Advertising for BBC Worldwide, North America. Xu, currently Regional Director, Hong Kong & Greater China, takes on an expanded role with responsibility for more markets.

“With their knowledge and valuable experience in operating across both mature and emerging markets, John and Katy will lead our region to further growth. I am looking forward to working with them to drive the strategic direction and new business across Asia-Pacific,” Rajan said.

Williams said, “I am excited about this opportunity to work in one of the most exciting regions in the world with a new team eager for continued success, representing a suite of BBC products that are both in demand by audiences and advertisers alike.”

“BBC is already a successful brand in countries across Asia and I am looking forward to building partnerships in new and existing markets to take our ad sales business to the next level,” said Xu.

Info@BestMediaInfo.com

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