MUMBAI: Looking to increase the amount of business that comes from Asia, Granada International is the latest global format and content creators to open a new office in the region.Part of the UK’s ITV Worldwide, Granada has appointed James Ross to the role of Granada regional director Asia. The appointment was made by Granada Intl MD Naine Nohr. Before the appointment, Ross was at Bloomberg Television in Hong Kong as media marketing and distribution director. He will build a local presence for Granada International and ITV Worldwide throughout the Asia-Pacific region and exploring opportunities to further develop the business.

Nohr says, “The continuing importance of China and the Asian territories to our business has culminated in our decision to set up a regional office in Hong Kong. We are delighted to have secured James for this important role. With his background in the region, he is perfectly placed to build strategic partnerships and develop our new media sales business in Asia. Broadband and mobile phone penetration in the Far East are already the highest in the world and predicted to grow.

"We also have strong licensing and format activity in Asia and therefore needed someone with the breadth of skills and experience that James brings, including a solid global marketing background, to develop our business in the region."

Ross says, “Granada International and ITV Worldwide, through its close relationship with ITV’s production teams in the UK and around the world and many top independent production companies, has some of the very best international programming available. I‘m looking forward to growing relationships with clients and partners throughout the region to offer this great content through a variety of different media.”

Granada International recently announced a number of sales to Asian broadcasters, including Hell's Kitchen USA to Discovery India, The Asia Food Network, UBC Thailand, Orion Media Korea, and Solar in Phillippines.