Hot Topics:

Singapore media org taps COO

Kenneth Tan to run Media Development Authority

Shanda taps CEO for Shanghai unit

AFTRA ratifies ABC, CBS contracts

Oh, Canada...Screenwriting noms

Finnish films dwell in dark terrain

Sundance unveils competition lineup(6760 views)

Bloody 3D sequels planned(2934 views)

Directors in Oscar spotlight(1721 views)

Summit's 'Twilight' dilemma(1388 views)

Domestic box office up 8% in 2009(1314 views)

Comcast's bargain purchase(910 views)

HONG KONG -- Kenneth Tan has been appointed chief operating officer of Singapore's influential Media Development Authority, replacing Man Shu Sum, who joins TV powerhouse Mark Burnett Asia on May 2.

Tan was formerly managing director of exhib chain Golden Village Singapore and is chairman of the Singapore Film Society. Prior to his position at Golden Village, Tan, 43, was the CEO of MediaCorp Radio and COO of MediaCorp TV.

In January 2007, Tan was famously forced to pay token damages to settle a defamation suit with CK Phoon, then CEO of co-parent company Golden Harvest.

In a separate court case that alleged "serious corporate governance failures," and was dropped in January, Golden Harvest singled out Tan for criticism. It accused him of acting against the board's wishes in agreeing to a ticket price hike. It also said Tan's role as prexy of the Singapore Film Society represented a conflict of interest with his day job. ��