WheelsTV Asia and Hong Bao Media to produce broadcast content for Singapore, China and other Asian markets

Hi everyone

We've just sent out this news release:

SINGAPORE, Wednesday, 8 July, 2009 – WheelsTV Asia Private Limited, operator of one of the world’s most popular web television channels about cars, www.wheelstv.asia, and Hong Bao Media (Holdings) Pte Ltd, the leading producer of web television news channels in Singapore, today announced they have signed a broadcast content production agreement ahead of WheelsTV Asia’s launch early next year.

The strategic partnership between WheelsTV Asia and Hong Bao Media will result in the production of up to 300 hours of high-definition motor vehicle broadcast content per year to be aired over six different platforms, including cable and satellite TV, IPTV, Broadband, video-on-demand, and mobile phones.

"WheelsTV Asia is delighted to partner with Hong Bao Media for our upcoming WheelsTV Asia Network. Mark Laudi and his staff bring the highest professional standards to this partnership and we look forward to working with Hong Bao Media as our primary production partners for many years to come," said Jerald Barisano, Chairman & CEO of WheelsTV Asia Private Limited.

"We met with and interviewed more than twelve different production houses throughout Asia, before finally selecting Hong Bao Media as our production partner. WheelsTV Asia and our partner company in the USA, WheelsTV North America, has produced award winning motor vehicle content over the last fifteen years, and we were looking for a production partner that would maintain these production values for our Asian programming. After a rigorous selection process involving more than twelve different production houses across Asia, we selected Hong Bao Media for their broadcast expertise, and high professional standards,” added Mr Barisano.

Hong Bao Media will use its established broadcast studio in Singapore as its primary production facility.

“Today’s announcement reiterates that television of the future will be further segmented to suit niche audiences and Channels with specific subject matter expertise, and able to broadcast on internet, mobile and out-of-home channels offer both cost-effective syndication opportunities and are well positioned to meet the needs of advertisers looking for measurable results,” said Mark Laudi, Managing Director of Hong Bao Media (Holdings) Pte Ltd.

“We are delighted to have been selected by WheelsTV Asia to produce its programs, in particular given the strong growth in car ownership in many parts of the region which are certain to drive viewership of the channel,” added Mr Laudi.



FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Mr Jerald Barisano
Chaiman & CEO
WheelsTV Asia Private Limited
Tel. (+65) 6507 4437
Mobile (+65) 9612 7119
jerryb@wheelstv.net

Mr Mark Laudi
Managing Director
Hong Bao Media (Holdings) Pte Ltd
Tel. (+65) 6223 2249
Mobile (+65) 9017 3534
mark.laudi@hongbaomedia.com


About WheelsTV Asia:

WheelsTV Asia Private Limited is the ultimate automotive related content provider crossing multiple distribution platforms throughout Asia. It has obtained the exclusive license for Asia from its subsidiary y company, WheelsTV USA, and owns the rights to its programming, trademark, logo and branding for a minimum of 10 years.

WheelsTV Asia, based in Singapore, has been distributing programming since 2006 and is poised to expand its television capabilities along with multiple digital platforms including online, VOD and mobile.
The automotive category has a broad appeal especially among Asian consumers as their disposable incomes rise disproportionably to the rest of the world. The opportunity to provide entertaining and informative programming to the only region where automobile purchases will show growth, not only provides a service to industry and potential buyers, but allows WheelsTV Asia to be the preeminent automotive communication company in Pan-Asia.

About Jerald Barisano:

Mr Barisano, along with his brother James, was one of the original creators of WheelsTV in the USA in 1989, and has over 30 years experience in the broadcast industry. He was the trackside television announcer for the inaugural Singapore Formula I Grand Prix, the first ever night race, on MediaCorp Channel 5 in Singapore in September 2008. Mr Barisano is active in the Singapore community, his wife Jennifer and he are Singapore Permanent Residents, and he is an active member of the American Chamber of Commerce, the American Association and the Boston University Alumni Association of Singapore.

About Hong Bao Media:

Hong Bao Media (Holdings) Pte Ltd creates, produces and syndicates web television channels. Established in 2002, it currently produces news and commentary about Singapore and Malaysian stock markets and syndicates these under the brand Investor Central via Thomson Reuters, MSN, SingTel, StarHub, MobileOne, PropertyGuru and many others. It has also created news channels and programs for SingTel, FTSE, Maybank, Phillip Securities, EMC, Datacraft, Neptune Orient Lines, World-Check and many others.

About Mark Laudi:

Mr Laudi is an award-winning journalist and broadcaster, well-known to radio and television audiences in the Asia Pacific.

During his seven year career at CNBC Asia Pacific, he held almost every position in the newsroom, including Producer and Australia Editor, and in front of the camera as Stock Reporter, Anchor and Field Reporter. At age 28, he launched CNBC Australia in Sydney as Bureau Chief.

In Singapore, he was a member of the inaugural production and presentation team of English-language talk radio station 938LIVE, which followed a four year career on ABC Local Radio in Western Australia and South Australia.