News Corp Asia appoints ex-Star executives for new senior team

Last month, News Corp announced it was to split Star TV Asia into three units, which would result in up to 200 job losses in its Hong Kong office. 

News Corp's new office will be responsible for supporting the group's interests in the region and managing joint ventures including ESPN Star Sports. It will carry out business development, legal, government affairs and corporate communications functions, with each function reporting directly to the corresponding functional heads in London.

With immediate effect, Jannie Poon will take on the role of senior VP, corporate affairs and communications. Poon joined Star in 1995, and will continue to support Star India and Star Greater China in developing corporate communication strategies. She will work with News Corp's business units in Asia in CSR and IR activities and will also be the spokesperson for the company.

Joe Welch has been appointed to the role of senior VP, Government Relations. Welch was with with Star for four years. 

Both Poon and Welch will report to Matthew Anderson, group director, strategy and corporate affairs, Europe and Asia.

Ella Betsy Wong will assume the role of general counsel, reporting to Jeffrey Palker, general counsel Europe and Asia. Wong will continue to oversee the legal and business affairs functions of Star India and Star Greater China and will also be responsible for the administration function for the Asian corporate office.

Anthony Day will head the strategy and corporate development activities of the office. Day remains in the role of director, corporate development Europe and Asia, overseeing a range of activities such as outdoor advertising in Eastern Europe and terrestrial broadcasting in Indonesia. Anthony will continue to report to Jan Koeppen, chief operating officer, Europe and Asia.

Finally, Teresa Ho has been named head of organisation development and learning.