Seasoned Global Media Executive

Summary
Goal-focused, energetic and tenacious executive with a solid track record in formulating and implementing new business and growth strategies globally. Successes include launching business operations throughout Europe and Southeast Asia and establishing Greenfields in China, Singapore and Thailand. Leadership and communication style effectively builds relationships, generates results and elicits respect from board members, management teams, partners and outside professionals. Visionary, entrepreneur, and adept negotiator. Willing to relocate.


Specific areas of experience and expertise include:
• Europe, Asia and North America
• Media and Entertainment
• International Business
• Sales and Marketing
• Joint Venture Structure and Negotiation
• Strategy and Planning
• Executive Management


Work Authorizations
United Kingdom (HSMP Authorized); United States of America


Work Experience
JL Global Enterprises
Los Angeles, USA
Global advisory firm established to advise Asian, European and US firms on expansion opportunities into new markets.
Managing Director
2004 – Present
Founded firm to devise and execute new business strategies, identify prospective partners, and structure and negotiate transactions for media and other firms to enable them to successfully expand existing businesses into new markets.
▪ Virgin Radio International (2008-Present) – Engaged to identify, structure and negotiate transactions for company to expand its global network of terrestrial radio stations to North and South America. Structured and launched Virgin Radio Toronto in August 2008, with subsequent station launches in Vancouver, Ottawa and Montreal in January 2009. From November 2008 to February 2009, served as Acting Managing Director for Virgin Radio Thailand, managing operations of its radio stations in Bangkok. Led retrenchment exercise to decrease costs and staff level of Thai operations in anticipation of releasing one broadcast license in late 2008, reducing the three station cluster to two.
▪ Vistage International (2004-2007) – Devised global and media strategies and structured new ventures. Key member of executive team, reporting to CEO. Negotiated, structured Vistage China venture, providing Vistage with 90 percent equity and complete operating control. Restructured Vistage HQ relationships with international licensees, resulting in increased goodwill between offices and closer coordination on and implementation of branding, marketing and strategic initiatives. Developed, executed strategy for creation and distribution of television and radio programs targeting Vistage constituents.
▪ Fox Television Studios (2004) - Completed detailed financial and strategic plan on feasibility of Studio launching new television production companies overseas, resulting in acquisition of UK production company.
▪ Virgin Radio Asia (2004) - Renegotiated existing contractual relationships in China; structured and negotiated new partnership agreements, enabling radio operator to expand operations into additional cities outside Beijing.


Virgin Radio Asia (The Virgin Group)
Singapore
First pan-Asian radio operator, with operations in China, Singapore and Thailand.
Sr. Vice President, Business Development
2001 – 2003
Launched and grew business through acquisitions, joint ventures and partnerships to create first pan-Asian, branded radio network. Analyzed markets to identify potential partners with whom Virgin Radio could structure a relationship. One of three members of executive team; reported to Board.
▪ Created original business plan for presentation to the Virgin Group for the establishment of Virgin Radio in Asia, the first regional radio operator.
▪ Secured US$5 million venture capital investment.
▪ Structured and negotiated deals and managed transactions in Thailand, China, Taiwan and Malaysia, giving Virgin Radio operating control and majority economic benefits of businesses in markets with stringent foreign ownership and control provisions.
▪ Established first foreign-controlled entities in China and Thailand giving Virgin Radio oversight and management responsibility for programming and operations of major radio stations.
▪ Improved marketing profile of the Virgin Group in Asia through strategic positioning in Asian markets.
▪ Within nine months of operation, Virgin Radio Thailand became Bangkok’s second largest radio operator, capturing 20 percent of the entire radio audience in the market.


Virgin Radio China
Beijing, China
First foreign-operated broadcast entity in the People’s Republic of China.
Acting Managing Director
2002 – 2003
Defined programming and marketing strategy, established office, hired local staff, created operating procedures and policies and implemented financial control system. P&L responsibility. Position required split time between Singapore and Beijing.
▪ Structured and completed transaction, making Virgin Radio Asia first Western radio operator in China.
▪ Designed and implemented financing vehicles to fund and operate company in China from an off-shore entity.
▪ Built and nurtured relationships with local regulatory agencies, government ministries and partners resulting in license by Chinese State Administration for Radio, Film and Television to become first foreign-operated broadcaster in the country.
▪ Operated business at 15 percent under budget.


Massive Media Group
Los Angeles, USA
Company formed by former heads of Universal Studios Inc. and Universal Television, among others, to offer broadcasting and production companies a product/service to protect and monetize entertainment content for digital distribution.
Vice-President, Business Development
2000 – 2001
▪ Drafted and presented business plan to potential investors, raising over US$3 million in seed capital.
▪ Structured deal with the BBC to securely and profitably distribute its entertainment content online, a solution that, when adopted, would make the BBC the first major media company to offer its clients such a secure distribution platform.
▪ Led deal teams on US and foreign joint venture/partnership negotiations.
▪ Built business models to capture new revenue streams from digital distribution of entertainment content: film, television, music, publishing and interactive games.


Universal Worldwide Television, Universal Studios Inc.
Los Angeles, USA/Berlin, Germany
Director, International Production Planning
1998 – 2000
▪ Grew international production business from three foreign reality productions into six within 12 months.
▪ Launched new reality television programs in Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, developing localized formats, successfully selling those formats to foreign broadcasters, and managing pilot and ongoing series development and production.
▪ Increased unit’s EBITDA by nearly 20 percent over two years.
▪ Formed partnerships between Universal and talent, production companies, broadcasters, and advertiser sponsors across Europe and Asia to create new business opportunities and capture new revenue streams.


Universal Television Group, Universal Studios Inc.
Los Angeles, USA
Manager, Strategic Planning and Business Development
1996 – 1997
▪ Managed financial modeling and strategic analysis leading to acquisition of Multimedia Entertainment.
▪ Drafted and presented plan to corporate management committee, recommending, and resulting in, divestiture of much of the Studio’s television assets for financial and strategic purposes.


National Democratic Institute of Internal Affairs
Washington, D.C., USA
Program Manager, Central and Eastern Europe
1992 – 1994


United States Department of State
Washington, D.C., USA
Staff Assistant to Secretary of State Warren Christopher
1993


Education
The University of Chicago Graduate School of Business
Chicago, USA
Master of Business Administration: Concentration in International Business and Finance
1994 – 1996

The University of California at Irvine
Irvine, USA
Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science
1988 – 1992

London School of Economics
London, England
General Course: Economics and International Relations Curriculum
1990 – 1991