Tag: Media network

Manila, Philippines – ABS-CBN and TV5, two of the media giants in the country, have reached a new partnership deal where ABS-CBN has acquired shares from TV5, which is majorly owned by MediaQuest.

According to a joint statement, ABS-CBN Corp will acquire 6,459,393 primary (new) common shares in TV5, representing around 34.99% of the total voting and outstanding capital stock of TV5 for PHP2.16b.

The deal also sees MediaQuest, which is owned by the PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund, its stake reduced to 64.79 percent after the deal is finished. ABS-CBN can also acquire additional shares in TV5, which may increase the Kapamilya network’s stake in the Kapatid network to 49.92% after 8 years.

As part of the partnership deal as well, cable and satellite TV subsidiaries of ABS-CBN and PLDT also entered into a similar deal. Cignal Cable Corp, under MediaQuest, said it was acquiring 38.88% of Sky Cable Corp, under ABS-CBN, for PHP2.862b.

“The investment of Sky Cable by Cignal Cable is expected to benefit the former’s existing customer base consisting of over 300,000 cable subscribers and close to 350,000 broadband subscribers as of the end of June 2022,” MediaQuest said.

The company also added, “The proceeds of the sale of the Sale Shares, the Convertible Note and the issuance of the Debt Instrument in the total amount of PHP7.5b will be used to repay certain obligations of ABS-CBN and Sky Vision and to fund the investment of ABS-CBN in TV5.”

ABS-CBN Chairman Mark L. Lopez said the partnership was an opportunity to help TV5 grow, strengthen its free to air network, and take it to the next level.

“For ABS, it presents a fantastic platform for us to achieve synergies in production content and talent management as well as maximizing our content delivery. We look forward to be of greater service to the public as we come together in taking TV5 to the next level,” Lopez said.

Meanwhile, Manny Pangilinan, chairman at MediaQuest, commented, “ABS-CBN has always been the leading developer and provider of Filipino-related entertainment content not only in the Philippines but overseas as well. Our companies have always had these cherished values of providing top and quality programs in the service of the Filipino people and together we believe we can achieve this in greater measure and success.”

Last year, the ABS-CBN network began showing popular primetime programs of ABS-CBN such as ‘FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano’ as well as the long-running variety show ‘ASAP Natin ‘To’ on TV5.

London, United Kingdom – Global media network PHD has announced that former regional head of strategy and planning for APAC Chris Stephenson has been promoted to the role of global chief marketing officer. He will be replacing Avril Canavan, who steps down from the role after 11 years of handling it.

He will report directly to Philippa Brown, Worldwide CEO at PHD, and be responsible for the strategic direction of the network’s external and internal marketing, aligned to business development goals.

His leadership will include amplifying PHD’s ‘Make the Leap’ positioning across its network of 107 offices in 74 countries – a call to action and reference to how the agency prioritizes creativity to drive disproportionate growth for their clients, backed by its proprietary planning platform Omni Studio. 

Stephenson first joined the network in the United Kingdom in 2003 before moving to Australia to launch PHD Sydney in 2009. He was promoted to head of strategy and planning for APAC out of Singapore in 2015 and has become a regular and respected commentator on the communications industry.

As an industry thought-leader, Stephenson has co-written multiple books on the future of the media industry, including PHD’s latest publication, ‘Shift | A Marketing Rethink’, which explains how marketers can stay ahead of change and stop just responding to it.

Commenting on his appointment, Stephenson said, “I can’t wait to get started in this new role at such an exciting time for PHD, and at such a pivotal moment for our industry. For the last two decades I’ve been fortunate to work with brands to engage their audiences in positive, constructive, and innovative ways. Now, powered by our ‘Make the Leap’ philosophy, I couldn’t be more excited to be working with our network around the world to do that for PHD.”

Meanwhile, Brown commented that Stephenson is a talented marketer who understands the PHD brand proposition, product and platforms better than anyone. She added that in addition to having solid client experience and a deep understanding of their proprietary systems like Omni and Omni Studio, he has co-authored and promoted PHD’s thought leadership over the years, presenting it on industry platforms across APAC.

“He is known as a truly creative thinker and, as Worldwide Chief Marketing Officer, will be instrumental in showcasing how PHD’s strategic, creative thinking can help brands make the leap ahead of their competitors,” Brown stated.

Mark Holden, worldwide chief strategy officer at PHD, commented, “I’ve worked with Chris for a long time, and he’s a great addition to the Worldwide leadership team, not only because of his credentials as a creative and visionary leader, but because of his infectious energy. He will no doubt build on the great foundations already laid and help our markets around the world take their agency marketing to the next level.”

London, United Kingdom – Global media network PHD, part of the Omnicom Media Group, has unveiled a new visual brand identity, which mirrors their ‘Make The Leap’ philosophy, a call to leverage the power of imagination to drive disproportionate growth for its clients’ business.

The updated brand identity, created in collaboration with independent design director Cosmo Jameson, has been designed with digital, motion, and audio capabilities in mind and reimagined to fully embody the company’s philosophy.

At the core of the new branding are visual assets that represent PHD’s values of creativity, courage, openness, collaboration, and curiosity – a reflection of the fact that it’s the creativity and innovation of PHD’s talent that powers business growth.

Philippa Brown, worldwide CEO at PHD stated that for over 30 years, the company has put creativity, innovation, and thought leadership at the heart of the business.

“Creativity and the power of imagination are what fuel our industry and we believe that only by making imaginative leaps in creativity can we best help our clients flourish and, therefore, leap forward commercially. The evolution of our identity brings this idea to life, with a contemporary and dynamic mark that positions us for the future,” Brown stated.

Meanwhile, Mark Holden, worldwide chief strategy officer at PHD, commented that their new identity focuses on creativity above all else since he believes that it is the power of imagination that drives disproportionate growth, not just reports and spreadsheets.

“In the modern world, advancements in data and technology have enabled marketers to improve how they target and measure their campaigns. However, while this is hugely important, at PHD, we know that every great campaign starts with a great creative idea,” Holden added.

Avril Canavan, worldwide chief marketing officer at PHD, commented “Our new identity is strategically designed with digital and motion in mind to reflect how we work today as well as being a symbol of our ethos. The brand mark is dynamic and flexible, capable of making a physical leap itself to trigger imagery or film and reveal a world reimagined.”

The new branding is being implemented internally and externally across all of PHD’s over 100 markets.

Manila, Philippines – Philippine media network giant GMA Network has unveiled seven new executive promotions, ranging from updates positions for their entertainment arm and business strategies.

Redgie A. Magno is appointed as first vice president for the business development department of drama productions at GMA, and Cheryl Ching-Sy was likewise promoted to senior assistant vice president of drama productions at GMA.

Under Magno’s leadership, GMA Drama has consistently produced content for the growing audience across media platforms, while Ching-Sy played a vital role in creating strong foundations for the Drama Department’s operational success, and in providing key management support to drive content production and development to the highest standard.

Magno and Ching-Sy have worked closely together to spearhead GMA Entertainment Group’s Drama Department as it continuously produces new stories and entertainment pieces that cater to the different tastes of viewers. Some of these notable GMA Drama programs include ‘Encantadia’, ‘Ika-6 Na Utos’ and the Philippine adaptation of Korean drama series ‘Descendants of the Sun’.

Meanwhile, Darling De Jesus-Bodegon was named first vice president for business development department III (Talk/Magazine/Musical Variety/Specials and Alternative Productions), where under her helm, the department was able to rise up to the challenge of innovating formats to adapt to the challenges brought about by the pandemic. Her team continued to produce fresh episodes for the Network’s flagship musical-variety program ‘All-Out Sundays’.

Other promotions include Arlene Carnay as vice president for GMA Public Affairs, Jaileen Jimeno as senior assistant vice president at GMA Public Affairs, Jaemark Tordecilla as senior assistant vice president for news and public affairs digital media at GMA, and Victoria T. Arradaza as first vice president and head of supply and asset management department at GMA.