Lionsgate Play Malaysia names Astro talent Phait Lee Wong as GM

Lionsgate Play, a service platform of Lionsgate-owned STARZ, has named Phait Lee Wong (pictured) as general manager of Malaysia. Wong will lead operations and management of the Lionsgate Play business in Malaysia, developing local leadership and teams to support core functions, including brand building, strategic innovation and business growth.

With over 20 years of experience in business and strategy, Wong began her career in capital markets in the financial and banking sector. She has also worked in Astro, she led a range of prominent projects, including international ventures, media and intellectual property investments and mergers and acquisitions across India, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia and the UK. She also helped to conceptualise and developed Astro Malaysia’s OTT service – sooka – targeting Malaysian millennials and sports fans. 

She had a key role in partnership deals and successfully launched Maxis TV in December 2021. In her new role, based in Kuala Lumpur, she will be reporting directly to Amit Dhanuka, executive vice president, Lionsgate. Dhanuka addd that the company is actively building up its team in Malaysia following Lionsgate Play's foray into the country in October 2021.

“Wong’s strategic approach for the brand and app will help us reach newer avenues of growth as we drive momentum for our business here. I look forward to working with Wong to amplify our vision in the market with her expertise and knowledge,” said  Dhanuka

“I am thrilled to join the Lionsgate Play team at an exciting stage of its growth in the country. Malaysia is a vibrant over-the-top (OTT) market with great opportunities for Lionsgate Play to tap into evolving consumer behaviour and their appetite for customisable, on-demand entertainment. I am confident of building the Lionsgate Play brand here and look forward to bringing exclusive, interesting and unique content to a wider Malaysian audience,” said Wong.

According to the company, Malaysians live a bulk of their lives connected to the internet, spending an average of 9 hours and 17 minutes a day online for work, play and entertainment. High internet penetration rates alongside changing consumer consumption trends have seen Subscription Video on Demand (SVoD) platforms steadily gaining in popularity in the country.

“Demand for SVoD services in Malaysia is expected to double in the coming years, and we are positioning ourselves for business growth opportunities. Under the able guidance of Dhanuka and Wong’s wide-ranging experience and stellar vision will be the foundation for us to take Lionsgate Play to new heights as we create long term value for our stakeholders,” said Rohit Jain, managing director, Networks - Emerging Markets Asia, Lionsgate.   

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