MUMBAI: Nigel Baker has been appointed the new managing director of Associated Press Television News (APTN).

Prior to the appointment, Baker was APTN's content director. In his new role, he will report to Ian Ritchie. Ritchie is AP International's global business VP. The division that was recently created is in charge of managing the Associated Press' businesses in video, text and photographs outside the US.

Baker will have full responsibility for all aspects of running APTN and will be a key member of the AP International senior management team. Baker was quoted in a company release saying, "We have taken APTN from start-up to the world's leading television news agency in a remarkably short time. The company is now entering a new era where we shall be the world leader in providing real-time coverage and defining video news images to online and wireless providers as well as traditional TV broadcasters."

Baker joined AP a decade ago. He was instrumental in its launch into the TV news agency business. He became the head of news in 1995 and content director three years ago. In the past, he has held senior editorial positions at Sky News, ITN and at Reuters.

Earlier, he worked for Britain's national news agency, the Press Association.