A+E Networks reorganises exec team as MD in Asia Saugato Banerjee departs

Saugato Banerjee

A+E Networks’ MD in Asia, Saugato ‘Shoggy’ Banerjee, is stepping down at the end of September with his exit prompting a reorganisation of the company’s regional senior team.

Banerjee joined A+E in 2011 and took up his most recent role in 2019, with a remit that covered the company’s operations across South East Asia, North Asia (Korea, China, Japan), Taiwan, Hong Kong, and India.

He had previously been MD of North Asia but was promoted after A+E’s co-executive MD of international Edward Sabin stepped down, leaving Patrick Vien as group MD of A+E International. Banerjee’s next move is not yet known.

A+E’s Asia reorg

The Disney and Hearst-owned company has also revealed a raft of new roles for its Asia-focused team, with Youngsun Soh upped to SVP & MD of A+E Korea and John Flanagan taking the equivalent role for A+E Japan & Southeast Asia.

Soh remains based in Seoul and reports to Vien, with a remit across networks such as History and Lifetime, as well as scripted series including Backstreet Rookie, Dramaworld and If You Wish Upon Me.

She joined A+E from Twitter Korea and had before that worked at BBC Worldwide Channels Asia, where she served as executive director after working for the BBC in London as a multiplatform and portfolio executive for mobile.

Former Blackhawk Network exec Flanagan, meanwhile, is based out of Tokyo and also reports to Vien. His new remit adds oversight of A+E Southeast Asia, which includes linear and digital distribution of brands such as The History Channel, Lifetime and C+I.

In addition to the A+E Japan team, also reporting to Flanagan will be Salawati ‘Wati’ Mohammed, head of distribution & partnership development, and regional finance chief, Pamela Tan.

Commenting on Banerjee’s exit, A+E’s president of global licensing & international Steve MacDonald, said: “We are extremely grateful for Shoggy’s entrepreneurial efforts over the years, which helped create so many achievements in our linear businesses in Southeast Asia.

“He was integral to the launch of our multi-faceted media business in Korea and the re-invention of our business in Japan. His many accomplishments at A+E leave us in great stead to pursue our vision to expand A+E Networks’ footprint even further throughout the region.”