Hong Kong, 3 April, 2006 –
STAR today announced the appointment of Paul Aiello as its President. Aiello
will report to Michelle Guthrie, Chief Executive Officer of STAR.
In this newly created role, Aiello will be responsible for developing
strategic and business directions for the company while overseeing corporate
functions including business development, strategy and implementation, STAR
ventures, government affairs and corporate communications.
Commenting on Aiello’s appointment, Guthrie said, “We feel fortunate to have
attracted a person of Paul’s caliber to join STAR. Paul is very familiar
with our business and over the last few years has provided invaluable
investment advice to the company. He is an exceptionally talented executive
who possesses a unique combination of deal-making acumen, a keen eye for
business opportunities in the media and telecom sectors and an insightful
knowledge of the Asia markets.”
“As STAR continues to expand its operations and look towards diversified
growth opportunities in Asia, the need for an experienced and gifted
executive with Paul’s background became apparent. Together with Steve Askew
who oversees our operations across the region, we now have in place a highly
formidable team to lead the company into its next phase of robust
development.” Guthrie continued.
Aiello said, ”I am very excited to be joining STAR – the leading media
company in Asia. With the fastest growing economy and most populous young
demographic in the world, Asia’s media industry will be heading in an upward
trajectory for many years to come. I look forward to working closely with
Michelle and the talented and creative team at STAR to accelerate the growth
of the company in this dynamic and booming marketplace.”
Aiello, 41, joins STAR from Morgan Stanley where he worked for more than
nine years. He joined the company as Vice President in 1997 and subsequently
advanced his career to Executive Director, Mergers and Acquisitions of Asia
Pacific; Chief Operating Officer of Asia Pacific Investment Banking and
finally, Managing Director and Head of Telecom, Media and Technology Group,
Asia Pacific in 2000. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Aiello was Vice
President, Mergers and Acquisitions, Investment Banking Department of CS
First Boston Limited, Hong Kong. Previously, he worked as a Senior
Consultant Central and East European Telecom Group of the World Bank,
Washington, DC. and was the Assistant to the CFO at the Beijing Jeep Corp,
Beijing, China.
Aiello has a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Cambridge and a B.A.
in Economics and International Relations from the University of Notre Dame,
Indiana.
About STAR
STAR is a leading media and entertainment company in Asia. STAR broadcasts
over 50 television services in nine languages to more than 300 million
viewers across 53 Asian countries. STAR channels cover all genres including
general entertainment (Star Plus, Xing Kong, Star Chinese Channel, Star One,
Star Utsav, Star World, Vijay, Phoenix Chinese), sports (ESPN, Star Sports),
movies (Star Chinese Movies, Star Gold, Star Movies), music (Channel [V]),
and news and current affairs (Star News, Star Ananda, Phoenix InfoNews
Channel). STAR controls over 20,000 hours of Indian and Chinese programming
and also owns the world's largest contemporary Chinese film library, with
more than 600 titles, featuring superstars including Jackie Chan, Chow Yun
Fat and Bruce Lee. In partnership with leading companies in Asia, STAR
businesses extend to filmed entertainment, television production, cable
systems, direct-to-home services, terrestrial TV broadcasting, wireless and
digital services. STAR is a wholly owned subsidiary of News Corporation.
www.startv.com
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