Board of Directors 2026

Roger Tong is the Chief Executive Officer of AsiaSat.

Roger has over 35 yearsʼ experience working in different segments of the communications sector. Before taking up his current role, Roger was the lead person at AsiaSat for engineering and technical operation. His work encompassed planning, design, construction and launch of five AsiaSat satellites, and the expansion of the company’s capability both in space and on the ground. Roger regularly represents AsiaSat at various industry bodies including the ITU and the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) and handles government relations issues. His work also extends to representing AsiaSat in negotiation with operators of neighbouring satellite networks to ensure smooth operations for AsiaSat customers.

Roger’s key priority as CEO of AsiaSat has been to drive the transformation of the company’s infrastructure-driven business model into a fully integrated end-to-end satellite solutions provider that can leverage on its existing resources and capabilities. This is achieved through a fundamental realignment of the workplace culture and encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation. Under his guidance, AsiaSat has expanded into other key customer-centric media, data and mobility services with its media technology solutions company AMT, content distribution and media solutions company Lightning International and its managed maritime service SAILAS while its engineering team continues to develop new methods and technologies related to system design and applications for next-generation satellites.

Roger graduated summa cum laude from McMaster University in Ontario, Canada with a Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering and a Masterʼs degree in electrical engineering. He was a gold medalist graduate of an MBA programme at Wilfrid Laurier University in Canada, and he holds a doctorate in business administration from The University of Newcastle in Australia. Roger was elected a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering in 2020.

Phil Hardman is the Executive Vice President and General Manager for BBC Studios Asia. With a background in risk management, finance leadership and business strategy, Phil moved to Asia over 10 years ago from BBC London. Phil leads the commercial teams and distribution activities for BBC Studios across Asia including South East Asia, India, Japan, South Korea and Greater China. Along with his talented team across Asia, Phil is responsible for developing and delivering growth in Asia across the BBC Studios portfolio of channels, digital and streaming products including BBC.com, expanding content and production partnerships with regional and global partners, and growing the licensing and consumer products business including live events, education and merchandise.

I began my career in content creation, working across Doordarshan, SAB TV, UTV, and ITV, where I learned how stories are made and how teams collaborate under pressure. Those early years shaped my belief that clarity, empathy, and respect for the craft are the foundation of good leadership.

My transition into regulatory affairs and government engagement in 2006 gave me a new vantage point. Over more than 15 years at Disney Star — eventually as Executive Director, Government Relations — I learned to navigate complexity, build trust across institutions, and bridge creative, commercial, and regulatory perspectives.

Today, as Head of Public Policy at JioStar, I draw on my combined experience in storytelling and policy to guide thoughtful engagement with government and industry. My focus remains steady: foster balanced, future-ready policy outcomes built on credibility, collaboration, and long-term vision.

Vivek Couto is the Co-Founder, CEO and Executive Director of Media Partners Asia (MPA), established in 2001 as an independent research and advisory firm serving the connectivity, entertainment and technology sectors across Asia Pacific. With more than 25 years of experience in media, telecoms and digital platforms, he is widely regarded as one of the region’s leading industry analysts and strategic advisors.

Vivek oversees MPA’s strategy, operations and growth, including the APOS leadership forum and ampd, MPA’s proprietary digital insights platform measuring real VOD consumption across multiple APAC markets. He has advised global and local companies, investors and policymakers on content, investment, M&A, market and product strategy across Australia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

From 2018 to 2025, he served on the Board of Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), contributing to national policy on media, innovation and digital transformation. He holds BSc and MSc degrees in Economics from the London School of Economics.

Media Partners Asia (MPA) is an independent research and advisory firm focused on the connectivity, entertainment, and sports sectors across Asia Pacific. Founded in 2001, MPA delivers data, analysis, and strategy to help global and regional companies, investors, and policymakers navigate industry transformation, capture growth.

Debra took up the role Director of Studio & Production Affairs at Netflix in September 2019, covering studio affairs, production and content policy for the APAC region. She has over 35 years communications, media & screen industry experience, previously as CEO of the Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association (ASTRA), a director of Australia’s broadcasting regulator, then the Australian Broadcasting Authority (& Tribunal) and as the immediate past CEO of Ausfilm, attracting major production and post production work to Australia.

Debra has been involved in most screen content policy and production industry issues during her working life as regulator, stakeholder and advocate covering local content, sports rights, copyright, digital conversion and distribution disruption. She was also an advisor to a previous federal Communications & Arts Minister, Michael Lee.

Debra is a Vice President of the Communications and Media Law Association (CAMLA) Board; a Director of the International Institute of Communications, Australia (IICA); Deputy Chair of the Alcohol Beverage Advertising Code (ABAC) adjudication panel; a Director of Northcott, a professional member of the Australian Film Institute (AFI) and a marriage celebrant.

In 2022 Debra was appointed as a Member of the Australian Film, Television & Radio School’s (AFTRS) Council (in 2023 she was appointed interim Chair until February 2024 and is currently Deputy Chair) and a member of the NSW Film & Television Industry Advisory Committee.

Emily is Vice President, International Marketing for PubMatic. In her current role, Emily is responsible for all marketing and communications across the EMEA and APAC regions – ensuring PubMatic has a strong industry voice and aligned marketing programmes across both markets. She oversees events, PR, content marketing and sales enablement – supporting the commercial teams in meeting their business goals. She specialises in distilling complex information and technical solutions into client friendly narratives.

Prior to PubMatic, Emily was Marketing and Communications Director, APAC at Unruly where she established and grew the APAC marketing team. Before that she worked across the global telco and banking industries – with roles at Telstra and Credit Suisse.

Tim Harris serves as a member of the Asia Pacific leadership team for Sony Pictures Television . In his role, as VP of Transactional Sales and Emerging Media, he leads the studio's efforts to develop and monetize audiences across a range of platforms and technologies throughout Greater China, Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, India, Australia, and New Zealand.

With a tenure of 16 years at Sony Pictures, Tim has held various leadership positions in Sydney, Hong Kong, and is now based in Singapore. His extensive experience spans sales, marketing, content acquisitions, and digital distribution.

Tim's responsibilities include driving growth in new and emerging distribution channels such as FAST, AVOD, social media, and short form distribution. He also oversees traditional business lines like TVOD and Electronic Sell- Through (EST). In his pursuit of optimal distribution strategies, Tim maintains strong relationships with numerous linear and OTT clients and partners in the region and collaborates closely with Sony Pictures' global distribution teams based in LA and London and Sony Pictures in-market teams and industry associations.

Tim is active in industry associations and cross-industry working groups, including The Digital Entertainment Group (DEGI) , which focuses on driving category growth for home entertainment products in Australia and Japan. He played a crucial role in launching the universal locker initiative, Ultraviolet, in Australia and New Zealand.

Tim Harris holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New South Wales and a Masters in Management from the Macquarie Graduate School of Management in Sydney.

Joe Welch is Vice President of Global Public Policy for The Walt Disney Company.

Welch is responsible for the company’s government affairs activities in the Asia Pacific excluding Greater China and India and leads strategic public policy initiatives across business segments in the region.

Welch also sits on the Board of Directors of the International Institute of Communications and serves as Chairman of the Board of the Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA).

Previously, he served as MCI WorldCom’s Asia Director of Government Affairs and earlier was an attorney at the Federal Communications Commission in Washington, D.C.

Welch received his bachelor’s degree from Amherst College and his J.D. from Santa Clara University School of Law.

Ongard Prapakamol is the Chief Media Officer for True Corporation - having previously held the positions of Marketing Director and Chief Commercial Officer at UTV Cable and True Visions respectively, he has established himself as a 25 year veteran in the Thailand Media and PayTV industry.

Ongard oversees True Corporation’s content and media business, which encompasses True Visions - Thailand’s largest PayTV operator, Thai News Network (TNN), True4U – a top-rated Thai digital terrestrial TV channel and True GS - Thailand’s fastest growing Home Shopping Network.

With an ability to quickly develop a deep understanding of how each business unit operates and hence identify the mission-critical business processes, Ongard has developed a reputation as a leader with a track record for steering often flagging business units to healthy profitability. This is most clearly evidenced by his turn-around of the True GS Home Shopping Network, leading to rapid and record profitability. He most recently completed a complete turn-around at TNN, which has seen this news network emerge with a markedly enhanced reputation and a clear focus on economic and business news – utilizing a fully online and digital platform.

After working in the USA, Czech Republic and Taiwan, Mr. Muller joins TV5MONDE in 97. He successfully heads several positions within the group before taking over the Asia-Pacific Department in 2004.

Alexandre moved to Hong Kong in 2007 where he established TV5MONDE’s Asia Pacific Headquarter. With over 25 years of experience in the Region, Mr. Muller is responsible for all TV5MONDE’s activity in the region, including business development, marketing, advertising and new media research and development for the Company.

Alexandre is a member of the AVIA Board of Directors since 2012, and the Board Member responsible for the AVIA OTT Committee.

Desmond Chan is responsible for international operations, and legal and regulatory matters of Hong Kong’s leading television station. He is also General Manager of TVBI.

Shonali Bedi is Head of Strategy, Partnerships & Insights – APAC for Warner Bros. Discovery. She leads commercial and growth strategy across lines of business for WBD in APAC, and is responsible for planning, long-term development and effective delivery of WBD’s strategic priorities in the region. As part of her remit, Shonali spearheads strategic commercial partnerships and business development opportunities around the region. In addition, she leads the team responsible for audience measurement and insights for WBD brands, franchises and networks across APAC.

Prior to this, Shonali has held many leadership positions regionally, including the Head of Affiliate Distribution and Digital Partnerships for WBD’s linear channels and digital services in Southeast Asia and Hong Kong, and leading Strategy and Business Development for India, Korea and Southeast Asia. She was also a driving force behind the growth and development of the regional streaming service HBO GO since its launch in 2013.

Her past professional experience includes stints in investment banking with Morgan Stanley (U.S). and founding an education technology startup in India.

Shonali holds a International Policy Studies master’s degree from Stanford University.