MUMBAI: MTV Networks International has promoted its Australia head Nigel Robbins to the position of MTV Networks Asia-Pacific president.

Robbins replaces Frank Brown, who announced he was quitting in September. Robbins is currently MTV Networks Australia managing director. A replacement for Robbins in Australia has not yet been announced.

Based out of Singapore, Robbins will be responsible for driving the growth of MTV, Nickelodeon and VH1 in the Asia-Pacific, as well as developing new brands and businesses in the region.

In addition, it was announced today that effective immediately, MTV Networks Japan will operate as a separate division to MTV Networks Asia-Pacific, recognising the unique nature and importance of this key market.

MTVN Japan executive vice-president and managing director Peter Bullard will continue to lead the Japanese operations, which include managing MTVNI's interest in its MTV Japan joint venture, as well as its digital media brand Flux and Nickelodeon's channel, licensing and syndication businesses.

Robbins and Bullard will report to MTVN vice-chairman and MTV Networks International president Bill Roedy.

Robbins is credited with leading MTV to market leadership in Australia, launching Vh1 and is also on the board of Nickelodeon.

Robbins has spent 12 years with MTVN in the Asia-Pacific region, focusing on both the creative and commercial realms. Prior to his Australian assignment he ran the MTV Japan joint venture, and was in charge of content and creative at MTV Japan.

Prior to that he had a pan-regional role as MTV Networks Asia senior vice president, creative and content and was based in Singapore and Hong Kong.

For the last few months he has also been leading MTVN India, acting as interim managing director (after the departure of Alex Kuruvilla) until newly appointed MD Amit Jain takes charge in January.