AIB appoints Business Development Director

Anver Anderson has been appointed to the newly created position of Business Development Director at the Association for International Broadcasting.

Anver’s role includes developing and implementing new services for the AIB’s growing number of members, and ensuring that the existing services provided to members meet their needs.

“I’m delighted to be joining the AIB at a time when the organisation is growing, both in terms of number of members and in the work it is carrying out across international broadcasting,” says Anver. “There are many issues facing broadcasters and their service providers and partners, and the AIB has much to offer members across the areas of regulation, representation, intelligence and lobbying. It’s exciting to be involved in the development of the AIB’s work and in supporting its members.”

Anver is a former marketing director of satellite operator Europe*Star, where he was responsible for the company’s video markets strategy throughout the five regions covered by the Europe*Star satellite: Europe, Middle East, Southern Africa, Indian subcontinent and South East Asia. Most recently he was responsible for creating and introducing the company’s Occasional Use services. Previous positions include head of sales with the UK-based facilities management company and teleport operator Merlin Communications, director of European sales with Williams Vyvx Services, and Business Planning and Market Analysis manager at Inmarsat.

“Anver’s experience across the satellite and broadcasting industries, together with his strategic and analytical skills, will provide immense benefits to the AIB and our members,” comments Simon Spanswick, Chief Executive of the Association. “With Anver’s appointment, the AIB senior management team now has a complete range of skills that will enable the Association to further develop and bring new benefits to its members.”

AIB Conference CD launched

The AIB has produced a CD-ROM from its second Global Media Business Conference that took place in London in April.

The CD contains the complete agenda, delegate list, biographies of speakers, copies of papers and slide presentations and edited audio highlights of the two final sessions of the event.

The CD can be ordered online at the AIB’s web site book store at www.aib.org.uk. The cost is GBP100.

CNBC gets haute couture

CNBC Europe, the leading pan-European financial and business television channel and a member of the AIB, has signed an exclusive agreement with Giorgio Armani to dress and style its team of 11 on-air presenters.

The new wardrobe will be debuted during November and is drawn from the Armani Collezioni men’s and women’s collections for Autumn/Winter 2003 and Spring/Summer 2004, and for the female presenters complemented by Giorgio Armani Cosmetics.

Rick Cotton, President and Managing Director of CNBC Europe, said:
“This is a unique partnership in the broadcasting world. CNBC Europe is recognised for the quality and breadth of its financial and business news service, while Giorgio Armani is seen as the arbiter of style. A powerful combination that will resonate perfectly with our sophisticated and influential audience.”

Giorgio Armani, President and Chief Executive of the Armani Group, said: “I have always designed Armani Collezioni with today’s business woman and man in mind. Now with 24 Hour Business News Television, pioneered by CNBC Europe, journalists and presenters are more visible than ever before. An appropriate image helps to create an identity for the channel itself. Through this new collaboration I am delighted to reach the viewers of CNBC Europe.”

Giant manufacturer created

Merging French know-how with Chinese mass-scale manufacturing capability, consumer electronics group Thomson has agreed a deal with China’s TCL to create a joint company that could become the world’s leader in the television and video manufacturing industry.

The company will be called TCL-Thomson. The French group will initially hold a 33 per cent stake in the company while its Chinese partner will hold a 67 per cent stake. TCL International Holdings Limited (TCL International) is the leading manufacturer of multimedia and consumer electronic goods in China.

Extra BBC FM in Malawi

Continuing its drive to establish FM broadcasts worldwide, the BBC has opened a new FM transmitter in Mzuzu, on 87.9. BBC World Service is also available on FM in Malawi on 102.5 in Blantyre and 87.9 in Lilongwe.

Kari Blackburn, Regional Executive Editor of the BBC’s African Service, said: “Malawi is a key market for the BBC with nearly two million listeners tuning in. We are confident this new FM will bring us even closer to our audience”.

Want to buy a network?

Then join 29 international media companies, including the UK’s BBC World Service and Independent Television News in competing for control of Iraq Media Network. In spite of wartime devastation, IMN is still reckoned to be worth over $100 million.

Up for new ownership is the whole package used by Saddam Hussein for nationwide propaganda – 18 television stations, the government radio station, and the national newspaper Al-Sabbah, with a circulation of 60,000.

The BBC bid is via the World Service Trust, which aims to set up media projects in countries torn apart by war. ITN is interested in taking over part of the network.

The Coalition Provisional Authority wants to turn the network into “a world class radio and television and broadcasting authority and newspaper publisher”.