MUMBAI: Own: Oprah Winfrey Network has announced a restructuring of its network operations in Los Angeles and New York. The organisation has eliminated 30 positions and redistributed those responsibilities among the network and venture partners, Discovery Communications and Harpo Studios. Thirty positions have been cut.

Own CEO, chief creative officer Oprah Winfrey said, "It is difficult to make tough business decisions that affect people?s lives but the
economics of a start-up cable network just don?t work with the cost structure that was in place. As CEO, I have a responsibility to chart the course for long-term success for the network. To wholly achieve that success, this was a necessary next step."

Winfrey became Own CEO, chief creative officer eight months ago, and tapped her Harpo leadership team, Erik Logan and Sheri Salata as presidents. The new management team has been reviewing the best structure and organisational design for the long term.

Logan said, "We have been on the air for 15 months, and since September we have gained momentum in ratings and viewership.
Restructuring our business will allow us to build a solid foundation for long-term growth."

As part of the restructuring, Neal Kirsch, a long-time Discovery executive and CFO of Discovery?s US networks, will be moving to Own as COO, CFO reporting directly to Logan and Salata. In addition, Own VP, business and legal affairs Tina Perry will now oversee the department and partner with Discovery executive VP, global production management, business and legal affairs Lee Bartlett.

Own VP, production Michelle Holt will now oversee production management; and Discovery senior VP, marketing, ad sales Ian Parmiter will oversee integrated marketing for Own.

MUMBAI: MediaGuru has roped in Mohinder Walia as the CEO of its new media venture MediaGuru Entertainment.

Walia will be based out of Mumbai as MediaGuru enters the entertainment media domain. He would drive the business in the domestic as well as international markets.

MediaGuru MD Sanjay Salil said, "I am pleased with Mohinder joining the growing fraternity of MediaGuru family as we move into a newer and exciting area of media growth. I see large possibilities in the entertainment sector as India increasingly expands its horizons beyond its boundaries while attracting international players to its shores."

Walia will be reporting in to Salil.

Walia comes with over two decades of experience with national and international media companies, including his last assignment as managing director of Fox Television Studios in India.

Walia said, "As India is turning out to be the new hub of revenue generation for global entertainment giants and Indian entertainment receives wider markets outside, our new venture is a timely action and we intend to be a force to reckon with in the near future."

He earlier ran his own venture in Los Angeles which focused on Hollywood-India joint ventures as well as entertainment industry focused investment banking. He brings with him global strategic, creative and marketing experience which is expected to stand in good stead for MediaGuru Entertainment, the company said.

MUMBAI: FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) has announced the appointment of Gautam Talwar to the newly created role of vice president business development - Asia. His appointment is effective immediately.

Based in Singapore and reporting to FME Asia Pacific CEO Jon Penn, Talwar will be responsible for establishing FME?s regional business development office. He will work with the existing FME team to architect and execute a plan to expand FME?s licensing, distribution, home entertainment and live event businesses in Asia.

Penn said, "We are thrilled to announce the addition of Gautam?s expertise to the thriving FME team in Asia at a pivotal time of growth for the business. We look forward to his valuable contribution as a thought leader and project manager on new products, partnerships and ventures in the region.?

Talwar has held roles in Asia-Pacific and the United States during his career in business development. He joins FME from Disney Media Distribution Hong Kong where he was employed as director of business development and digital media and was responsible for identifying new business opportunities to build Disney?s media business across platforms in the region.

Prior to this he was employed at Disney Media Networks, Los Angeles as senior manager media networks strategy where he managed long term strategy initiatives for Disney Media Networks, including ABC, ABC Family and SOAPnet and Disney Channel. He has also worked at Walt Disney Television where he managed the start up and launch of Disney channels in India.