To further enhance its growing presence in Central and Eastern Europe, Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) has promoted Iwona Hordziej to sales director and appointed Oi Yee Wong as sales exec for Central and Eastern Europe.
"Many parts of Central and Eastern Europe have been experiencing huge economic growth as a result of liberalization, privatization and membership in the enlarged European economy," according to Stuart Baxter, SPTI's svp, European distribution. "The result is a significant increase in the number of TV channels being launched in these developing markets and an increase in advertising in the more established. By expanding our sales presence, we are positioning ourselves to effectively capitalize on that anticipated growth."
"Iwona has significantly strengthened SPTI's sales position across Central and Eastern Europe and her expanded responsibilities reflect that tremendous success," said Danny Goldman, vp/gm, London Sales. "We are now devoting increasing resources to the developing markets of Eastern Europe where Oi Yee's broad experience and industry knowledge will further support our distribution sales goals."
Hordziej, who joined SPTI in 2002 as sales manager, is responsible for the sale of Sony Pictures Entertainment's film and television assets to terrestrial broadcasters and cable and satellite platforms throughout Central and Eastern Europe, as well as Russia. She is based at SPTI's European headquarters in London and reports to Goldman. Prior to SPTI, Hordziej headed television acquisitions for Polsat and was based in Warsaw.
Wong reports to Hordziej and primarily will handle sales in the emerging markets bordering the expanded EU and will also support Hordziej's sales efforts across the territories. Prior to joining SPTI, Wong worked for London-based independent distributor Indigo Film & Television since 2001, where she was most recently a sales executive. She was responsible for sales efforts throughout Eastern Europe and other territories where she distributed a wide variety of features and series programming to television, video and airlines.
Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) operates three complementary lines of business: 1) distribution of Sony Pictures Entertainment's feature films and television programming to television outlets around the world, 2) local television production in key international markets, and 3) international television networks. In addition to being a leader in the distribution of current and classic U.S. and international films and television product worldwide, SPTI produces high profile, locally produced television in local languages. With dedicated offices in France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Miami (Latin America), the People's Republic of China, Spain and the U.K.; SPTI currently oversees production in eight regions. SPTI's worldwide television networks portfolio is a key strategy in the company's long-range commitment to the global marketplace, with approximately 40 networks in more than 100 countries reaching some 240 million viewers worldwide. SPTI is a Sony Pictures Ent. company.
