New York, 13 November 2018 – AMC Networks International announced today new leadership roles in its senior management team for its key regions. The announcement was made by Eduardo Zulueta, who was recently named President of AMC Networks International (AMCNI).
The following will all report to Mr. Zulueta:
- Manuel Balsera has been named Executive Vice President/Managing Director for AMCNI Southern Europe.
- Ricardo Debén has been named EVP/MD for AMCNI Latin America.
- Kevin Dickie has been named EVP/MD for AMCNI UK, which includes Poland, Middle East and Africa in addition to the UK.
- Levente Málnay has been named EVP/MD for AMCNI Central and Northern Europe.
“These outstanding leaders have played vital roles in the success of AMC Networks International’s strong portfolio of channels,” said Eduardo Zulueta, President of AMCNI. “Their skills and experience will help AMCNI build on its strong position in the marketplace, with our premium quality content offering and the value we bring to our distribution and advertising partners.”
AMCNI, which consists of nearly 40 brands distributed in more than 140 countries and territories, continues to experience steady momentum, globally and locally. Its AMC Global channels have received wide critical acclaim and increasing viewership for original AMC Studios-produced content including Fear the Walking Dead and The Terror. Its strong regional brands continue to drive distribution growth and attract viewers, including for its leading food network brands El Gourmet (Latin America) and Canal Cocina (Southern Europe); factual channel Spektrum (Central and Northern Europe); and CBS Reality, one of the biggest factual entertainment channels in the UK.
Executive Biographies
Manuel Balsera – EVP/MD, AMCNI Southern Europe:
Based in Madrid, Balsera was most recently SVP of Sales, Marketing and Digital at AMCNI Southern Europe where he oversaw marketing, affiliate and ad sales, digital and business development areas for the company’s 24 TV channels in Spain, Portugal and France. Balsera has developed a wide professional senior management career in companies such as Proximity BBDO, ONO and VIVENDI, among others. He is a professor at several business schools in Europe, Asia and Latin America. Balsera holds a Law and Communications Degree from Complutense University of Madrid, a Diploma in Media Management and Marketing Communications from Missouri-Columbia University, a Master’s degree in Management, the PDD and IFP from IESE Business School and the Executive Certificate in Strategy and Innovation from MIT.
Ricardo Debén – EVP/MD, AMCNI Latin America:
Based in Miami, Debén was most recently Chief Financial and Administrative Officer, AMCNI Latin America where he oversaw financial management of the company’s portfolio of brands, including AMC, SundanceTV, El Gourmet, Más Chic, Film & Arts and Europa Europa. AMCNI Latin America has experienced double digit ratings growth across its portfolio in 2018. He joined Chellomedia in 2007, prior to the company’s acquisition by AMC Networks. During this time he played an instrumental role in landmark deals such as the joint venture with Dremia that strengthened the company’s leadership in Portugal and the Portuguese-speaking regions of Africa and the acquisition of TEUVE, which resulted in the largest conglomerate of specialty networks in the Iberian market. Previously, Debén was part of the executive teams at GE, Paramount HEI and Whirlpool, where he was responsible for financial management, new business, mergers and acquisitions. Originally from La Coruña in Spain’s Galicia region, he graduated with honors in International Business Administration from Ulster University in Northern Ireland and is accredited by the Advanced Management Program at Spain’s IESE Business School.
Kevin Dickie – EVP/MD, AMCNI UK:
Based in London, Dickie was most recently SVP, Channels Group, UK, MEA and Poland for AMCNI UK, where he spearheaded content and brand strategy for the region’s portfolio of nine channels led by AMC, SundanceTV and CBS Studios International joint venture channels CBS Reality, CBS Drama, CBS Action, CBS Europa and Horror Channel. He oversaw programming, scheduling, production, marketing, creative services, communications, technical operations, research and advertising sales. An industry veteran with more than 20 years’ experience, Dickie was previously SVP, Channels Group for UK and EMEA at Scripps Networks Interactive. Previous to his role at Scripps, he served at Discovery Networks in a variety of roles for over 15 years, the most recent being SVP, Content Group, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific where he oversaw the region’s portfolio of brands including Discovery Channel and Animal Planet. Dickie has a BA in Communication Studies from Glasgow Caledonia University.
Levente Málnay – EVP/MD, AMCNI Central & Northern Europe:
Based in Budapest, Málnay was most recently SVP of AMCNI Central and Northern Europe with oversight of the company’s regional portfolio of 16 brands. He began with the company in 2009 overseeing management of the Central Europe portfolio and led the channels through exponential growth driven by numerous regional launches across brands. Prior to AMCNI, Málnay produced the first ex-US original production for HBO – a stand-up comedy show in 1995 – and launched the first Hungarian music television station Z+ in 1997, which was acquired by VIVA in 2000. When VIVA was further sold to MTV Networks in 2003, he became VP, MTV Networks Emerging Markets. Between 2006-2012, he was President of the Hungarian Electronic Media Association, and in 2003 he received Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year “Emerging Entrepreneur” prize – the first time it was awarded in Hungary. Málnay is a graduate of ELTE Budapest and is an alumni of Harvard Business School.
About AMC Networks International
AMC Networks International (AMCNI), the global division of AMC Networks, delivers entertaining and acclaimed programming that reaches subscribers in more than 140 countries and territories. AMCNI consists of global brands, SundanceTV and AMC, as well as popular, locally recognized channels in various programming genres. For more information, visit: www.amcnetworksinternational.com
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