Television
May 12, 2010
Ted Lai Promoted To Senior Vice President, Television Distribution (China & Korea) And Business Development (Asia), At Warner Bros. International Television Distribution
(May 12, 2010 – Burbank, CA) – Ted Lai has been promoted to the newly created position of Senior Vice President, Television Distribution (China & Korea) and Business Development (Asia), Warner Bros. International Television Distribution. In addition to his current responsibilities, Lai will focus on the growth of Warner Bros. International Branded Services’ activities in the region with respect to both on-demand branded services and linear channels. The announcement was made today by Jeffrey R. Schlesinger, President, Warner Bros. International Television Distribution.
In his expanded role, Lai’s duties will include supervision of the day-to-day activities for Warner-branded video-on-demand services – both advertiser-supported and subscription-based – in selected countries across Asia Pacific (excluding India, Japan, Australia and New Zealand). Additionally, he will coordinate with HBO Asia on the distribution of WarnerTV Asia, the new Pan-Asian linear channel launching throughout the region in 2010. In relation to branded services initiatives, Lai reports to Malcolm Dudley-Smith, Executive Vice President, Business Management, Warner Bros. International Branded Services.
Concurrently, Lai will continue to supervise the distribution of Warner Bros. Entertainment programming – including current theatrical motion pictures, television series and animation titles, as well as previously released films and shows from the Studio’s vast collection – to free and pay TV operators on all platforms (terrestrial, cable, satellite, IPTV, etc.) throughout China and Korea. In this capacity, Lai will continue to report to Jim Brehm, Senior Vice President, Sales, Canada, Latin America and Asia, Warner Bros. International Television Distribution.
“This promotion recognizes Ted’s accomplishments to date, his knowledge of the region and our confidence in his ability to contribute to growing our new businesses in this important and strategic region,” said Schlesinger.
Based in Shanghai, Lai most recently served as Vice President, International Television, after having been promoted from Director, Strategic Development & Sales, based in Hong Kong.
Before joining the company in 2001, Lai was Head of Business Development at FirstDoor.com, Director of Business Development at eMachines, Product Manager at Cendant Corporation’s Autovantage.com, a Business Analyst at The Walt Disney Company’s Walt Disney Imagineering division and a Development Analyst at Disney Development Company, and a Project Analyst at H.H. Engineering & Consultancy.
Lai holds a Master of Business Administration from the Harvard Business School and a Master of Science in Engineering-Economic Systems from Stanford University. He also earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Stanford, where he served as school president during his first year of graduate school. # # #