Movers and Shakers Report - November / December 2012

In light of recent events at the BBC, we thought it would be interesting to focus the spotlight on the role of Non-Exec board members in steering the general direction of the company and ensuring strong governance. I’d like to thank David Lowen for his contribution and invite other readers to send in their comments on this topic via our Linked In Group. If you aren’t already a member, do sign up.

Also, we are delighted to announce our first placement in Russia. It was a challenging assignment not least due to language issues – but Elena is now on board and settled. Thanks too to our Russian Affiliated company, Shtaty.ru for their help and support.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with this report, it’s brought to you as a useful service to keep you up to date with the ever-revolving door. Here at Lumina, it’s our business to know who is where - and since we’re collecting this information anyway, we’re happy to share it with you each month, free of charge. Contributions always welcomed.

Have a peaceful and happy holiday season and here’s hoping for a successful 2013.

Best

Anne

Anne Fenton
MD, Lumina Search

Mover & Shaker of the Month

Elena Balmont becomes General Manager at Viacom in Russia & CIS

Following an extensive search by Lumina and Shtaty, our affiliate agency in Russia, Viacom International Media Networks has hired Elena Balmont as general manager of its Russian channels following the departure of Nicholas Walters.

She joins from Russian broadcaster Content Union, where she was Deputy Chief Executive.

She will report to David Lynn, EVP and managing director, VIMN UK, Australia, Russia & Eastern Europe.

Nicholas Walters will leave the company in December to pursue an entrepreneurial venture.

VIMN operates 11 channels in the region including Nickelodeon, Paramount Comedy and MTV – operated under license through local partner ProfMedia – and is also seeking new opportunities to grow its business.

We wish Elena well.

'Over the Top' Breakfast Briefing, Tower 42

3 Vision/Lumina Search 'C' Level Networking Event

An ‘Over the Top’ venue seemed the fitting setting for a Breakfast Briefing run by Lumina Search and our Associates from 3 Vision Consulting – Toby Russell and Jack Davison.

20 senior executives from companies including Paramount, BT Vision, Viacom, Warner Bros TV, Box TV met up at the 24th floor venue to look at the growth of the new OTT services on the topic of ‘Surfing the Hype Curve’.

Fuelled by rapid increases in broadband penetration and the growing connectivity of TV sets, OTT is impacting players all along the value chain. Jack Davison, senior consultant at 3 Vision took a closer look at developments and the ongoing threat of one of the key disruptive players, Netflix.

Following a hearty breakfast and an informative presentation, a full and frank discussion was held but due to ‘Chatham House’ rules we are unable to summarise. Suffice to say that everyone had a view (in more senses than one!)

The morning ended with the guests taking the express lift up to the 42nd floor (to the appropriately named ‘Vertigo’ Bar) to catch up on the morning’s events and renewed acquaintances over a glass of bubbly.

Value in Non-Executive Directors

David Lowen, Former Director-General, EuroNews

Experienced, supportive, mentoring, well-connected and great value. If your company has yet to add a non-executive director to your board, you may be missing out on a useful source of relevant skills, wide contacts and independent advice.

The Institute of Directors recommends that selecting the right non-executive director for your board provides an independent view of the company removed from day-to-day operations. They bring to the board and company, apart from their independence, impartiality, wide experience, specialist knowledge and personal qualities. They can also add a little gloss to the headed notepaper.

Successive reports (Cadbury, Hampel and Higgs) have urged that best practice and good governance now require non-executive directors of sufficient calibre to carry informed views into the boardroom.

To see the full article please click here

Becoming a Non-Executive Director

New Challenges and Experience

In the past few years there has been a rise in the number professionals taking on multiple jobs through consulting, interim and more flexible work. At Lumina we often speak to people consulting who have gained new experiences from this process, and although in many cases individuals may return to a more corporate role, there is definitely an opportunity to learn more about a range of companies and sectors through such avenues.

One such route is by becoming a non-executive director (NED), which is still an attractive opportunity for many. In 2011 49% of Non-Exec Directors said they worked as a non-exec for new challenges and being able to add more value. Sitting on a board as an NED allows for developing new skills and to gain credibility in new lines of work and sectors. It does require some time commitment each month, reading reports, attending meetings and the larger the company you work for, in general the larger the commitment in terms of workload.

To read on about non-executive directors please click here

Other general appointments across the media sector

Laurence Miall D'Août - TalkTalk

Director of Television

UK Service Provider TalkTalk has hired the former Modern Times Group (MTG) executive who will also be responsible for leading the partnership with YouView.

Will Harrison - HBO Europe

Chief Operating Officer

Harrison will be based in Budapest and report to HBO Europe CEO Linda Jensen. He joins from business consultancy Vicat Media.