UNI creates global commercial roles

• UNI promotes Laurent Dumeau and John Burnett to new global roles
• To support network's ongoing expansion towards 100 channels
• Other strategic priority is roll out of HD

Regional - Universal Networks International has promoted Laurent Dumeau and John Burnett to new global roles to support its expansion of international pay-TV channels, with APAC considered a key territory.

The focus for the two new leadership roles will be to set a commercial and strategic framework for Universal Networks International's ongoing expansion towards 100 channels. 

Dumeau has been appointed VP of global affiliate sales while Burnett is VP of commercial operations. Both report to Roma Khanna (pictured), president, Universal Networks International & Digital Initiatives.

The news follows shortly after Universal Networks International named Christopher Williams to the newly created position of VP, sales & commercial operations Asia Pacific.

"Laurent and John's newly focused global roles will ensure we deliver on our aggressive and exciting growth plans for 2010 and beyond. Their combined experience will be central to providing great service and support to our affiliates and customers across all our territories," Khanna said.

A strategic priority this year for Universal Networks will be to continue its roll out of HD, which already launched in UK, France, Portugal, and Japan. The network will launch Universal Channel in HD this April in Japan.