Mediacorp CEO Shaun Seow exits role

Mediacorp CEO Shaun Seow will be stepping down from his role to join parent company, Temasek. He will join Temasek’s Telecom, media & technology investment team, which includes Mediacorp in its portfolio.His successor is yet to be named, with the board of Mediacorp adding that it would commence a search for its successor. Meanwhile, Seow will continue with his duties as CEO and assist in transition until 30 September 2017, the company added.Prior to the appointment, Seow held the CEO role since July 2011 and has held various leadership roles across the company’s TV, radio, print and digital businesses. He was also part of the core team that started Channel NewsAsia in 1999.According to Mediacorp, as CEO, Seow has reshaped Mediacorp in the face of audiences and advertising dollars shifting to digital platforms. During his time in the company, he steered the launch and growth of Toggle and Mediacorp’s digital-first news, focusing on user experience and leveraging social media to drive engagement.Under his leadership, the company’s Digital Group was started to accelerate audience growth and monetisation. A consumer insights and analytics unit was also established to drive data-based decisions in product development and revenue generation. Mediacorp has also invested in a digital publisher in Indonesia.“It’s been an exhilarating ride and I’m grateful for all the opportunities given me, capped by the privilege of leading Mediacorp as its CEO. Having completed its move to Mediacorp Campus, its new home in Mediapolis, as well as a major business review this year, Mediacorp is about to write its next chapter. I know it’s in good hands under Chairman Ernest Wong, someone I respect deeply. I’ll miss my talented colleagues, to whom I owe a debt of gratitude for their steadfast commitment to our work. Still, I’ll never be too far away in my new role at Temasek. I, too, will be writing my next chapter, and I’m looking forward to it,” Seow said.“Seow is a bundle of energy and is completely dedicated to his work. He has contributed much and provided yeoman service and commendable leadership during his many years with Mediacorp. During his term as CEO, he spearheaded our intense drive into digital media. He will be well remembered for the successful take-off of Toggle and for his other digital innovations and initiatives. I have no doubt we will continue to draw on his deep domain knowledge in the Media & Entertainment business hereafter. I wish him well in his new undertaking at Temasek,” Mediacorp chairman Ernest Wong said.The company has seen a management shuffle over the past year. Most recently, it appointed Parminder Singh as its chief commercial and digital officer. Singh joined Mediacorp from Twitter, where he was managing director, Southeast Asia, Middle East & North Africa and India.His role combined two previously separate positions in the company, and saw him taking on the roles of Shane Mitchell, Mediacorp’s head of digital, as well as chief commercial officer Jack Lim.This followed a number of appointments in its commercial group to boost the company’s digital sales and integrated solutions planning capabilities. It appointed Jennifer Chase as head of its digital media solutions unit and Keith Cheong as vice president of sales. It also hired Dasheng Toh six months ago as Mediacorp’s head of commercial planning and solutions.Earlier on, it promoted Debra Soon to chief customer officer as former deputy CEO and chief customer officer Chang Long Jong stepped down from his role, taking on a role at mm2 Entertainment.