Anglo-Chinese content company IPCN staffs up

London and China-based content company IPCN has added two new staff to its ranks, poaching execs from Publicis and Shanghai Media Group, TBI has learned.

Patrick Kai Xu (left) joins IPCN as vice president and head of operations, having been head of content at Publicis-owned ad agency Viviaki.

Zhou Hao (below right) takes the newly created role of vice president and head of business development. At SMG he was head of the media giant’s digital strategy.

Kai Xu will spearhead a push by IPCN into scripted content. The Anglo-Chinese business has specialised in taking international formats into China and has brokered deals for shows including Supernanny, The Secret Millionaire, Got Talent and The Voice.

The company is pushing into scripted and other new areas off the back of receiving new investment from Gravity, a subsidiary of China state-backed investment fund China Media Capital.

Hao will be based in Shanghai and lead business development efforts across the business. Kai Xu will also work out of IPCN’s Shanghai office and both execs will report to company CEO Rebecca Yang.

IPCN recently picked up China rights to Global Agency’s DJ format The Remix.