Shine’s American chief to star at ASTRA’s upcoming conference

Rich Ross, CEO of Shine America will deliver the keynote address at the upcoming Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association (ASTRA) 2013 Conference on 14 March. In his first Australian appearance since stepping in to the Shine role this month, Rich will take a timely look at the impact and importance of quality content that engages with and enhances the experience of TV viewers.

As the CEO of Shine America, Rich spearheads the company behind popular and award-winning original series including The Biggest Loser, adaptations of other Shine Group owned series such as MasterChef, Minute to Win It, and The Office. Through Shine Group’s distribution arm, Shine International, Shine America distributes its library of programming and formats to more than 150 countries.

With a career spanning Walt Disney Studios, Disney Channels Worldwide and FX Networks, Rich has been responsible for channel-defining programs such as Hannah Montana and Lizzie McGuire and the creation of original movie franchises High School Musical and Camp Rock.

Also coming to Australia for the ASTRA 2013 Conference is Barney Francis, managing director of Sky Sports. Sky Sports is the leading sports broadcaster in the UK and Ireland, offering its viewers over 50,000 hours of programming a year across six channels and available on the move via mobile, online and tablet devices. Barney has led the sports broadcaster since 2009 and under his leadership Sky has strengthened its rights portfolio with deals for Masters golf, F1 and more Barclays Premier League football, as well as introducing live sports 3D and other pioneering broadcast innovations. Barney will update the audience on the impact of Sky Sports across the UK and Ireland and discuss how effective partnerships between sports broadcasters and governing bodies can have far reaching benefits on pitch and off.

“We are delighted to welcome both Rich and Barney to Australia and to the ASTRA Conference. Both have been instrumental in shaping the drama / entertainment and sports segments globally, through groundbreaking original content. It will be exciting to hear how they have stayed ahead of viewer demand for great entertainment by delivering programming that has become an integral part of consumer behaviour,” said Petra Buchanan, CEO of ASTRA.

Under the banner Enhanced Entertainment, the day-long 2013 ASTRA Conference program will share opinions from leaders across the industry, allow for discussion and debate through a combination of panel discussions and break-out sessions and provide networking opportunities at the Women in TV Breakfast, lunch and the closing cocktail function.