Mark Francis Email & Phone Number

Jakarta, Id

Jakarta, Indonesia

Singapore

Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory Of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Devised and implemented content and original programming strategy for Astro's standalone freemium OTT streamer (sooka) that launched in June 2021. Weaving premium LIVE Sports and local entertainment, sooka managed to garner 2.5 million users within 6 months.

Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory Of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Devised the pre-launch content 'playbook' which set out recommendations for sooka's content pillars content mix and volume requirements, internal and external content licensing, plus original productions.

Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory Of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

I consult for senior leadership and the global content teams on strategy and production methodologies in order to optimise and significantly scale output of personal growth content at this fast-growing yet established edutech platform.

Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory Of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Successfully structured, negotiated and closed a high value, multi-year strategic content deal for iflix/WeTV following its sale to Chinese multinational, Tencent Holdings Ltd.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

As Chief Content Officer at iflix, one of Southeast Asia’s largest premium VOD platforms, I was responsible for defining the content strategy and leading the creation of original programming at Company level. Serving a key role in the leadership team, I also oversaw data insights, content acquisitions and programming.I was particularly focused on Original Programming including story development, key creative decisions and edit approvals. Working with the region's top talent, our drama series such as KL Gangster Underworld, Kisah Tanah Jawa and Magic Hour to name a few, each went on to smash viewing records for iflix.I'd successfully led the development of a content optimisation analytics model to bring greater efficiencies to our content acquisition and programming decisions plus formulated a strategy for creating and syndicating short form content based on consumption trends that resulted in significant user growth.At the end of my tenure, I successfully drove content negotiations with regional studios in connection with the sale of IFlix to Tencent Holdings Ltd.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

As Head of Original Programming, Mark's responsible for bringing iflix's original content strategy to life and executing local productions including scripted drama, feature film, stand-up comedy, and factual entertainment. Since 2017, virtually every iflix Original launched has been a “Top 5” title, with its first Indonesian drama (Magic Hour) quickly establishing itself as its most watched series and outperforming even top Korean (Goblin) and Hollywood(The Flash S4) franchises.iflix is the world’s leading entertainment service for emerging markets, offering users unlimited access to thousands of TV shows, movies and more. With a vast selection everyone’s favourite comedies, drama, K-drama, Turkish drama, Bollywood, Nollywood, cartoons, movies, live sports and more from Hollywood, the UK, Asia, The Middle East and Africa, iflix places the entertainment people want at their fingertips to either stream or download. For one low monthly fee, iflix subscribers can watch on their mobile phone, laptop, tablet, TV... wherever, whenever.

London

Reporting to EVP of Content and London Head of Global Development, I was a core member of the Commissioning team overseeing an 150 hour pipeline of original programming, that was distributed to 171 countries in 45 languages. Primary responsibility was to commission, develop, and exec produce international series and specials. Highlights include" Rebel Pope" the first scripted drama-doc to be produced in Latin America; "Science of Stupid", the highest rating pan-regional series for Europe, Latin America and Asia; "Car SOS", NGC Europe’s highest rating returnable series, "Ice Road Rescue" NGC Norway’s highest ever rating series and "Back from the Dead" a global special in which a leading neurologist undergoes a series of unprecedented experiments in order to recreate near death experiences.I also provided consult to Regional production pods in Europe, Latin America and Asia Pacific.

Hong Kong

Head of pan-regional production at Asia’s largest pay TV network; commissioning, developing and executive producing primarily for National Geographic Channel (NGC) plus unscripted entertainment for Star World including 'Asia's Next Top Model'.I was responsible for building processes and teams and then growing the annual pipeline to about 100 hours a year. Highlights include the award-winning "I Wouldn’t Go in There" (paranormal meets WW2 history) and "Malaysia from Below", an exploration of marine life co-hosted by Alexandra Cousteau.Also provided consult to local teams in Taiwan, India, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Australia and Middle East on original production strategy and execution.

Singapore

Executive Producer for Asian commissions and international co-productions including the region’s top performing specials and series for Discovery Channel and TLC. Credits across a range of genres including Engineering "Man Made Marvels", History "The Korean War in Color", Extreme Adventure "Storm Surfers 1 &2" and "Rocket Compulsion" plus Lifestyle via "World Café", "VIP Weekends" and "Ultimate Fish".Experience developing novice producers, having run training schemes such as First Time Filmmakers (China, Malaysia, Vietnam), and IGNITE Australia.