WarnerMedia hires former Disney exec for APAC kids team

Monster Beach

WarnerMedia Entertainment Networks has appointed former Disney exec Carlene Tan as director of original production and development for its Asia Pacific (APAC) kids’ content team.

Based in Singapore, she will lead on identifying new IP and producing original series, as well as overseeing the current slate of APAC originals across channels Cartoon Network, Boomerang and POGO.

Among the APAC originals on the slate include the International Kids Emmy-nominated Lamput and newly-launched Monster Beach. Tan will also help oversee the long-running Roll No 21 in India, and upcoming shows Titoo and Lambuji Tinguji, which will launch on POGO later this year.

Before joining WarnerMedia, Tan developed original animation with The Walt Disney Company in Southeast Asia and was studio head at One Animation, where she produced animated series Oddbods and Insectibles.

She also managed the Singapore arm of Cloudpic Global and was one of the founding members of Singapore’s first animation studio, Peach Blossom Media.

“Carlene combines strategic business experience with her love of storytelling to connect with audiences. Her relationships with studios and talent in the regional and global animation ecosystem will be instrumental in bringing new stories to life,” said Leslie Lee, head of kids for WarnerMedia Entertainment Networks in APAC.

Tan’s appointment comes alongside Hoyoung Jung’s promotion to director of acquisitions on the team.

Based in Japan, Jung is now responsible for the discovery and negotiation of third-party programming for WarnerMedia’s Kids platforms in the region.

Jung formerly worked for Mattel in the strategic IP partnerships team responsible for APAC content distribution in Hong Kong, and also held a position at Daewon Media, which represented Japanese IP in Korea, overseeing series including Power Rangers, Doraemon and One Piece.