A+E Networks has changed its structure in Asia, resulting in the departure of its regional head.
The new structure will see Youngsun Soh promoted to Senior Vice President and Managing Director of A+E Korea and John Flanagan to Senior Vice President and Managing Director of A+E Japan and Southeast Asia.
A+E Asia’s Managing Director Sougato “Shoggy” Banerjee will leave the business on September 30 following the restructuring.
“We are extremely grateful for Shoggy’s entrepreneurial efforts over the years, which have helped us achieve so many milestones across our linear businesses in Southeast Asia,” said Steve McDonald, President of Global Licensing and International. “He was integral in the launch of our multi-faceted media business in Korea and the re-invention of our business in Japan. His many achievements at A+E enable us to advance our vision of expanding the footprint of the A+E network even further across the region.”
Seoul-based Soh has been removed from the general manager position of A+E Korea, a role he had held since 2017. He is credited with launching History and Lifetime channels there and scripted shows such as. Backstreet Rookie, DramaworldAnd voori the virgin and produced the drama series if you want on me In association with A+E Studio. She joins A+E from Twitter Korea, where she served as Director of Marketing. Prior to this, she was at BBC Worldwide Channels Asia, where she served as executive director, after serving as portfolio executive for multiplatform and mobile for the BBC in London.
Tokyo-based Flanagan will also be elevated to the general manager level. He has overseen development at HISTORY Japan, and launched both SVOD/FAST platforms for HISTORY, Lifetime and Crime+Investigation; formed a documentary production unit; and led a creative and media agency business.
He will now oversee A+E Southeast Asia (SEA), which has moved to an affiliate distribution-focused model for linear and digital distribution of History Channel, Lifetime and C+I.
The changes also mean that A+E SEA’s Head of Distribution and Partnership Development Salawati (Vati) Mohamed will now report to Flanagan and Pamela Tan, Regional Finance Head, A+E SEA, will join Vati to manage the local team. Will share a day-to-day basis.
Soh and Flanagan will report to Patrick Wien, Group Managing Director of A+E International.
A+E is the second international group to announce an Asian restructuring today. Following the acquisition of ESI by Banijay, Banijay Asia and Endemol Shine India (ESI) are coming together under the leadership of Deepak Dhar.