Keshet hires Pudney for Asia

Israel’s Keshet International (KI) has launched a Hong Kong-based Asian division and appointed a former Sparks Eccho Group exec to run it.

Gary Pudney

Gary Pudney takes up the newly created role of head of Asia and will work closely with KI’s sales director for Asia and Latin America, Kelly Wright.

Pudney, who set up Sparks Eccho Group’s Asia Pacific office, reports to Alon Shtruzman, CEO of KI, and will build new partnerships and business models in the region, working with a range of platforms, technology and advertising companies as well as content owners and producers.

Prior to joining Sparks Eccho Group in 2010, Pudney had been sales chief and MD at Asian outfit Galleon Media, following a spell as MD at Typhoon Media

Shtruzman said his firm was “looking to develop a fruitful, two-way exchange of IP into and out of Asia. With an office on the ground in Hong Kong, under the guidance of an experienced and capable executive like Gary, we are well positioned to build on our success to date and become active in all major Asian markets.”

KI, the global distribution and production arm of Keshet Media Group, recently licensed comedy duo Traffic Light and Loaded to China’s Huace-Croton Media, while Keshet Studios, KI’s US production entity, optioned the Chinese firm’s scripted property Dating Hunter.

It’s the latest expansion for KI, which unveiled its new gaming arm earlier this month led by Ziv Rabinovich.