Discovery sees senior management changes

Louis Boswell (pictured), GM of AETN All Asia Networks since 2007, has left to join Discovery Japan.AETN confirmed the movement, adding that they have not yet found a replacement for Boswell.Boswell has had a long track record in the Asian cable and satellite and research industries, and has held senior roles with ACNielsen in China and with Interactive Audience Measurement Asia Limited, which he co-founded.He was Discovery's senior manager in charge of the China market from 1995 to 2000 and helped in devising a market entry strategy for Discovery in China.Boswell will be relocating from Singapore to Japan and start his new role come January 2013, reporting to Tom Keaveny, president and MD, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific.He will be taking over the position of James Gibbons, who has been appointed country manager for emerging business in Discovery's Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East & Africa (CEEMEA) region.Meanwhile, Gibbons' appointment will see him move to London from Tokyo. He has been managing Discovery's operations in Japan for the past five years. He will report to Kasia Kieli, president and managing director for Discovery Networks Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East & Africa, and will commence his new role later this month.In his new role, Gibbons will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the emerging business region and its channel brands. He will be based in London and his main goal will be to further develop Discovery's business in Africa, Turkey, the Middle East and Mediterranean.Gibbons will also oversee Discovery Network's regional office which opened in Istanbul earlier this year.Gibbons was SVP of programming for Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific and was responsible for programming and on-air promotional content. He also handled regional commissioning, co-production and acquisition activities.