Saugato Banerjee is Managing Director, A+E Networks – Asia. He is tasked with leading the expansion of the business across the region encompassing long-form original production, digital content and channels.  

Saugato has held prior roles at ESPN-STAR Sports, CNBC, Contract Advertising and FCB. He is an Economics graduate from the University of Mumbai with a postgraduate diploma in Marketing Communications from MICA, India. 

Nicholas John is Vice President, Head of Sports at Astro – responsible for the strategy and operations for Astro’s overall Sports Business – including acquisition and content production. One of his key focus areas is driving Astro to remain as the industry leader for sports in the digital space. He’s also a firm believer in developing on-screen and off-screen local talents within the sports community by providing national athletes a career option in broadcasting through local sports channel Astro Arena.

Phil Hardman is the General Manager for BBC Studios Asia based in Singapore.  He is responsible for developing and delivering the Asia growth strategy across the global distribution businesses in South East Asia, India, Japan and South Korea. In his role as GM for Asia, Phil leads the regional commercial teams across all lines of distribution including linear and digital branded services, regional and global content distribution and consumer products.

Donovan is a founding partner of Beach House Pictures and amongst Asia’s leading factual and unscripted Showrunners for SVOD players such as Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney+; and in China, with Tencent, Bilibili and Youku to name a few. As CD, Donovan oversees business and content development for BHP, growing its scripted slate and strategizing growth in key markets like the US, China, Japan, SEA, and India. Donovan is currently producing several Netflix projects; a natural history series for Animal Planet and Love Nature; and a food series with Hudson Yang (Fresh Off the Boat).

Before joining Brunswick, Michael worked for more than 25 years as a journalist and editorial leader. Most recently, Michael was Vice-President of International Digital and Strategic Partnerships for CNBC International, leading his global team to record audience growth and engagement on the company’s digital platforms, as well as on social media. Prior to that, he was Head of News and Programming, APAC for CNBC International, overseeing its network of anchors, reporters and producers in its business news and current affairs coverage.

As the VP of APAC, Ryan Pestano leads the strategic market development initiatives for IPONWEB throughout the Asia Pacific Region architecting innovative solutions for enterprise clients through the consultative application of advertising technologies. Prior his current role, Pestano was the VP of Product and Operations in APAC for Amobee working closely with Singtel Group businesses across SEA and Australia. He held other senior positions at Brandscreen, Media Innovation Group (a WPP company) and Microsoft.

Elaine heads the Southeast Asia advertising team in iQIYI International. She oversees and drives its advertising sales revenue and monetisation strategies. She also develops customised advertising solutions for partners to help drive their business objectives. Prior to iQIYI, she held multiple senior sales roles with global media networks, most recently Sony Pictures Television Networks (Asia), as well as Viacom International Media Networks and BBC, where she has led successful sales teams and helped establish strong partner networks across Southeast Asia. 

Gavin currently leads the growth of Magnite Asia, where he is focused on helping media owners and brands win across every channel and format.  

 Gavin has over 19 years’ global experience in the digital advertising space, having worked in leadership roles at tech and publishing companies, including Microsoft, Turner Broadcasting and LinkedIn, with the last ten years based in Asia building businesses. His working knowledge spans television, digital, search, programmatic, mobile, content marketing and social media. 

Nini Yusof has worked for Malaysia’s Media Prima Berhad in various capacities for almost 10 years, including roles as Chief Content Officer at Media Prima Omnia and Primeworks Studios, and Director, Sales & Strategy for Television Networks, where she launched the CJ ENM and Media Prima Berhad joint venture commercially known as CJ Wow Shop. Prior to Media Prima, she worked for NBCUniversal Media, and Fox Networks Group/Star TV. 

Paul Waller is MediaCom’s Chief Investment Officer for APAC, leading the investment and activation offering for the region. Originally from London, he has combined an eagerness to explore and a growth mindset with media and marketing leadership roles in Sydney, Shanghai, and Singapore. 

He is passionate about implementing a strategic approach to media investments; pinpointing value levers, improving costs and sharpening operational execution to drive strong business results. 

As Managing Director for Gracenote International, Simon Miller helps video distribution platforms across Nielsen’s global markets deploy next generation content search and discovery solutions. Previously as Executive Producer at Bloomberg Sports, he launched a weekly TV show and as CEO of Betfair TV he oversaw development of the world’s first gaming app to sit alongside live sports broadcasts. Throughout 20+ years across media, advertising and sports industries, Simon has held roles at BskyB’s Sky Bet, J. Walter Thompson and Publicis. 

Andy is Vice President and Head of OTT at Astro, where he leads sooka – a freemium live and on-demand streaming service in Malaysia. He is an experienced leader with over 20 years’ experience and is passionate about delivering world class digital products.

Most recently, he was the Vice President of Global Product at iflix where he was responsible for product strategy, product development and user experience. Previously, he held senior positions at Rocket Internet and Sky TV.

Johan leads the Consumer Business Group and is responsible for the development, marketing and delivery of Mobile, Entertainment and Broadband products and services for consumers and SMEs. He also charts StarHub’s brand evolution. Before joining StarHub, Johan’s 22 years of experience in the telecommunications industry has brought him across Europe, Asia and the Middle East. He was most recently  Ooredoo Oman’s Chief Commercial Officer responsible for marketing, sales and customer experience for mobile, fixed-line and new businesses.

Yann Courqueux manages content portfolio as well as TV and Broadband product lines. Previously based in Qatar, in the Middle East, where he was heading the Triple Play business for Ooredoo in Qatar and was subsequently responsible for beIN Media OTT products portfolio globally.

Prior to working for Telecom and Pay TV operators, Yann held various positions as business development, sales and marketing for technology companies, specializing in the fields of IPTV and multi-screen content distribution.

Kirana Cheewachuen, Deputy Director, Strategic Planning and Business Development for True content business, True Group

True Content Business is a core part of True Group’s growth and positioning as Thailand’s Convergence and Digital Lifestyle Leader. She oversees strategic planning and the portfolio of new business development that includes content creation and building strategic partnership across various content verticals such as video, music & games, as well as lifestyle experience to fulfil consumer lifestyles with contents.

After working in the USA, Czech Republic and Taiwan, Mr. Muller joins TV5MONDE in 1997. He successfully heads several positions within the group before taking over the Asia-Pacific Department in 2004.

Since 2007, he is based in Hong Kong as TV5MONDE’s Managing Director for Asia-Pacific.

Alexandre is a member of the Asia Video Industry Association (ex CASBAA) Board of Directors since 2012, and the Board Member responsible for the Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA) OTT and Connected Media Committee.

Kurt Rieder has worked in the motion picture business for 31 years. In Theatrical Distribution, he’s held roles at Warner Bros. (General Manager – Singapore, Malaysia & Indonesia), United International Pictures (Senior VP – Asia), 20th Century Fox and later The Walt Disney Company (Executive VP – APAC). Kurt is currently Senior VP, Theatrical Distribution (APAC) for Warner Bros. Discovery (based in Singapore).

In Exhibition, Kurt has worked in Argentina, Thailand, and Singapore for Village Roadshow and was the CEO of Mars Cinema Group in Turkey.

Tom leads the demand side of the Xandr business across JAPAC. Tom’s mandate is to help large global buyers, agencies and trade desks get the best out of programmatic buying by delivering creative and differentiated solutions. Originally from the UK, Tom moved to Australia to double down on diving, skiing and generally being outdoors as much as professionally possible.

Louis Boswell is the Chief Executive Officer of the Asia Video Industry Association. As CEO, his remit is to lead the industry through championing all broad based initiatives that result in a more vibrant and healthy video ecosystem. This includes being at the forefront of industry research, supporting evolving business models, understanding the role of technology, representing the industry in conversations with regulators and taking a leading role in eliminating piracy.

As AVIA’s Chief Policy Officer, Celeste represents the combined positions of our members and engages in constructive dialogue with governments so they may better understand the curated video industry and foster an environment of support for the growth of the industry. In consultation with and on behalf of AVIA member companies, Celeste will also develop and execute policy initiatives relevant to the video industry. Celeste comes with over twenty years of business and legal experience in the media and entertainment industry across both Europe and Asia.