SPT restructures EMEA networks

Sony Pictures Television (SPT) is restructuring its networks business across EMEA, splitting the region into two sections.

Kate Marsh

Kate Marsh has been named senior VP of Western Europe, a role that will see her continue to lead the UK and Italy while adding Iberia and development opportunities in the Netherlands, Scandinavia and France to her brief.

Lyle Stewart, meanwhile, will become senior VP for Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa. He currently handles Germany, Russia, the Baltics and Africa, and adds Central Europe. He will also develop new opportunities in Turkey, Greece and the Middle East.

Juan Romeu will continue as senior VP and general manager for Iberia, reporting to Marsh. John Rossiter, general manager for Central Europe; Sergey Plotnikov, general manager for Russia; and Bettina Hermann, territory director for German-speaking Europe, will report to Stewart.

Both Marsh and Stewart report to Andy Kaplan, president of SPT Networks, and continue to be based at SPT’s London headquarters.

Lyle Stewart

Kaplan said: “Following a significant period of expansion in EMEA, it is clear that to accomplish the next stage of our growth it is time to look at the region in two parts.

“Kate and Lyle’s contributions to SPT Networks over the years have been significant, making them the right fit to lead these territories into the future.”

The restructure follows the death of Eddie Nelson, senior VP for EMEA networks at SPT, following a short illness. He had been overseeing the company’s portfolio of pay-TV channels since October 2010.