Sky Gets New Entertainment MD
Sky has appointed Sophie Turner Laing to the position of managing director, entertainment. Laing will report to chief executive James Murdoch.
Ms Turner Laing takes responsibility for Sky’s entertainment content businesses, including Sky Movies, Sky One, Sky Two, Sky Three, Sky Arts, Sky Travel, Creative Services and the Creative Agency.
Turner Laing takes over responsibility for these activities from Dawn Airey, who will support the transition until she leaves to take up a new role outside of Sky in April.
Since joining Sky in March 2003 Turner Laing has played a key role in the development of Sky’s multi-platform content offering.
Turner Laing has also overseen Sky Arts (formerly Artsworld) and the development of Sky Anytime on PC, which has seen over one million downloads in its first year of operation. Most recently, she has led the repackaging of the Sky Movies service into genre-based channels (see BSkyB Makes Movie And Broadband Announcements).
James Murdoch said: “Sophie is one of the most experienced and accomplished executives in television and I am delighted that she will lead the continuing evolution of our entertainment offering.”
Turner Laing added: “This is an exciting time to be at Sky. I am looking forward to working with the rest of the team at Sky to ensure that we continue to bring customers an outstanding entertainment experience.”
Turner Laing began her television career at Henson International Television where she rose to sales director, and in 1989 formed successful children’s programme makers HIT Entertainment with Peter Orton. She joined Flextech as vice president broadcasting in 1995 where she was responsible for the wholly owned channels Bravo, Living, Challenge and Trouble.
Turner Laing joined the BBC in May 1998 as head of acquired programmes, and was promoted to controller, programme acquisition in Sept 1999. During her five years at the BBC, she also held the posts of controller of business affairs, acting director of marketing and communications and acting director of television.
From yesterday, Virgin Media customers can no longer receive the basic Sky channels as a result of the acrimonious negotiations between the two broadcasters (see Sky Anytime? Not For Virgin Media Cable Homes).
Sky: 08702 40 40 40 www.sky.com