Ward Platt promoted to COO of FIC, Zubin Gandevia is president for APAC

Zubin Gandevia has stepped up as president of FIC Asia from his previous role as COO of FIC Asia. He will continue to be based in Hong Kong and will report to Platt who he has worked with for 13 years. His remit will span 18 offices across Asia Pacific and the Middle East.

Gandevia told Campaign Asia-Pacific that the broadcast network intends to "aggressively extend its reach into new areas like sports, originial productions". As president of APAC, he is also tasked with preparing the company for a "multi-screen world" via FIC's online players. 

Platt will relocate from Hong Kong to Los Angeles and will report to Hernan Lopez, president and CEO of FIC. In his new role he will work across areas in the execution of FIC’s continuing growth plans around the world. Additionally, as CEO for NGCI, he will oversee international programming, marketing, operations, syndication and finance for the National Geographic Channels outside of the US. Currently, National Geographic Channel and its multiple brand extensions are present in 171 countries.

Prior to taking on this new role Platt oversaw 18 FIC offices throughout Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. He joined FIC in 1999 as group MD of NGCI in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. Most recently, Mr. Platt led the integration of FOX Sports Asia (formerly ESS) into FIC, as well as the launch of FOX Sports Japan, the largest entry by a non-Japanese brand into the local sports TV market. Under his stewardship, FIC grew to over 550m cumulative households in the region.

"Ward has built our business in Asia from the ground up, turning it into a model in the region," said Lopez. "I am delighted to have him step up to this new and expanded role.”

Gandevia has more than 20 years of experience in the Asian broadcast industry. Prior to taking on his new role, as COO Gandevia was the business head for Asia Pacific and the Middle East and was responsible for developing the industry-leading channel brands under FIC. In addition he oversaw FIC’s rapidly growing businesses in China, Taiwan, India and Southeast Asia, as well as Hong Kong’s regional business operations.