NBCUniversal appoints new Asia Pacific VP as regional DTC growth accelerates

NBCUniversal International Networks & Direct-to-Consumer (NBCUIN & DTC) has elevated long-time executive Caroline Cleland to the newly created role of Vice President, Asia Pacific. This move sharpens the business's strategic focus across linear and direct-to-consumer platforms in the region.

Cleland, who joined NBCUniversal in 2008, will now lead the operational and strategic direction of NBCUIN & DTC’s portfolio across Asia Pacific. Her remit spans Programming, Acquisitions, Commercial, Marketing, Creative and Production, with a continued emphasis on growing revenue, audience engagement, and brand presence. She remains based in the Sydney office and will report to Chris Taylor, who recently stepped into an expanded role as managing director of APAC, TV Distribution and International Networks & DTC.

The appointment reflects NBCU’s ongoing investment in leadership across the Asia Pacific region, as the business accelerates its multi-platform strategy.

Cleland has played a key role in launching and evolving NBCU’s channel brands across the region, including 13TH STREET, SYFY, Universal TV, and the free-to-air launch of Bravo in New Zealand. More recently, she spearheaded the regional rollouts of DreamWorks (Australia), 7Bravo (Australia), and the Peacock-branded Hub on JioStar India. In 2023, she led the launch of Studio Universal, a curated linear and SVOD movie offering, which debuted in the Philippines and has since expanded into Taiwan and Indonesia.

Prior to joining NBCUniversal, Cleland held programming roles at Optus Television, Movie Network, and Crown Media.

As part of broader leadership moves, Taylor also announced two additional promotions:

• Simon Hebblewhite has been named senior director, Finance, where he will continue driving strategic growth and revenue performance.

• Jane McLaren has been promoted to director, PR and Communications, tasked with shaping NBCUniversal’s corporate and consumer communications strategy across the region.

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