SINGAPORE (April 11, 2016) – Scripps Networks Interactive, Asia-Pacific (SNI), the region’s leading lifestyle media network, announced the following promotions of key positions in the programming team to bring sharper focus and improved integration for the region’s expanding lifestyle channel portfolio.
• Carl Zuzarte, Senior Vice President of Programming and Production
• Raphael Phang, Head of Programming
• Elise Ching, Programme Acquisitions Director
“Priority for the Asia-Pacific region this year is the global integration of our unit within the greater Scripps Networks family, focused on creating tighter relationships between programming and other functions of the business, particularly marketing and sales,” said Derek Chang, Managing Director, Scripps Networks Interactive, Asia-Pacific. “The promotions we are making today are proven executives whose abilities have propelled the success of the Scripps brand. They will be instrumental as we continue to further position our brands to connect key programming priorities with consumers across Asia.”
Carl Zuzarte, who currently leads the programming and production functions, has been appointed to Senior Vice President, Programming and Production. Zuzarte will now assume overall responsibility for all four of Scripps Networks’ brands, including Asian Food Channel, Food Network, Travel Channel and HGTV, with the programming and production team reporting to him. In his new role, Zuzarte will be working across all four brands to leverage programming content, on-air talent and digital programming extensions to develop compelling and relevant content.
Zuzarte has played a key role in establishing original production strategy, initiating digital content strategy as well as greatly improving the quality of local productions with shows such as Food Wars Asia, Wonderful Indonesia Flavours, Cooking For Love and The Amazing Food Challenge: Fun In The Philippines. He has also been instrumental in streamlining the production and creative process.
Raphael Phang, who currently leads programming for HGTV and Travel Channel, has been promoted to Head of Programming across all of Scripps Networks Interactive brands in Asia-Pacific. As Head of Programming, Phang will be tasked to drive the strategic direction across all four channels, spearheading the planning and execution within the programming function to improve integration and efficiency.
Phang played an integral role in the launch of HGTV, establishing its position as the number one lifestyle channel in Singapore from January 2015 to December 2015 among female cable viewers between 25 to 54 years old. In addition, he consolidated the operations of Travel Channel across the region, bringing an analytical and strategic approach to programming and scheduling efforts.
In a newly created role, Elise Ching has been appointed to Program Acquisitions Director, operating across all of Scripps Networks’ brand in Asia-Pacific. Ching currently leads programming for Asian Food Channel and Food Network. She will report to Head of Programming, Raphael Phang, and will work closely to enhance the current content as well as identify new programming and commissioning opportunities in the region.
Ching was instrumental in the successful transition of Asian Food Channel after Scripps Networks Interactive’s acquisition in 2013 and her stewardship of Food Network and Asian Food Channel has been integral to ratings success, establishing AFC as the number one lifestyle channel in Malaysia from January 2015 to December 2015, with an increase in average time spent per day.
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For further information, contact:
Evonne Baath: Evonne.Baath@scrippsnetworks.com | +65 9459 3123
About Scripps Network Interactive
Scripps Networks Interactive (NYSE: SNI) is one of the leading developers of engaging lifestyle content in the home, food and travel categories for television, the Internet and emerging platforms. The company's lifestyle media portfolio comprises popular television and Internet brands HGTV, DIY Network, Food Network, Cooking Channel, Travel Channel and Great American Country, which collectively engage more than 190 million U.S. consumers each month. International operations also include TVN, Poland’s premier multi-platform media company; UKTV, an independent commercial joint venture with BBC Worldwide; Asian Food Channel, the first pan-regional TV food network in Asia; and lifestyle channel Fine Living Network. The company’s extensive networks and websites reach millions of consumers globally. Scripps Networks Interactive is headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee. For more information on Scripps Networks Interactive, please visit www.scrippsnetworksinteractive.com