新闻稿

International venture capitalist Johnny Hon becomes Director of Infinity Creative Media

18th August 2015

Dr Johnny Hon, international venture capitalist and arts industry expert, today becomes a director of UK TV production studio Infinity Creative Media.

Dr Hon brings extensive experience of developing successful film and TV projects in China and around the world. He acted as Executive Producer for the George W. Bush biopic ‘W’, directed by Oliver Stone and the China and Hong Kong box office hit “Protégé”. In television, Dr Hon was Executive Producer of “Da Ren Wu” (2006-07), one of the most successful TV drama series of its time in China.

His appointment comes at a time when a growing number of international opportunities are opening up for Infinity Creative Media. Following a successful UK premiere, the Classic Car Show produced by Infinity is now being distributed by Sony Pictures Television around the world.

Thanks to the experience of its management team, Infinity Creative Media is ideally placed to capitalise on the strength of the UK creative industry to create and exploit intellectual property internationally.

The business was founded by Russ Lindsay, who has formerly managed Ant & Dec, Simon Cowell and others. The Chairman of Infinity is Lord Michael Grade, previously Chief Executive at Channel 4, Director of Programmes and Chairman at the BBC and Executive Chairman at ITV. The appointment of Dr Hon opens up a wealth of new connections in China, Hong Kong and across Asia more widely.

China in particular is increasingly recognised as the growth engine of the global entertainment industry, powered by an increasingly broad and affluent middle class. It is already the world’s second largest and fastest growing film market and is expected to overtake North America to become the biggest in the next three years.

The opportunity to tap into Chinese investment and the local market opens up exciting new growth prospects for Infinity Creative Media. Access to Chinese investment can enable the company to build up its team, develop new formats and make its programmes truly international.

Commenting on his appointment to the Board of Infinity Creative Media, Dr Hon said:

“Infinity Media is a business with fantastic global potential and an expert management team to turn that into reality. I am very excited to be joining them.

“I know from first-hand experience just how great an opportunity the Chinese entertainment market represents – and what it takes to ensure a film or TV production finds success in China. I believe there are some fantastic opportunities for Infinity Media in Asia and look forward to working with Mr Lindsay, Lord Grade and the team to capitalise on those.”

Michael Grade, Chairman of Infinity Creative Media, added:

“Dr Hon has fantastic connections in China and Hong Kong and the potential of that region can hardly be over-estimated in our industry. The synergy between his experience and our vision offers huge potential for the growth of Infinity. We are delighted to welcome Dr Hon on board.”

Dr Hon is Chairman of Gate Ventures Plc, the media and entertainment investment company that in August 2015 bought a 20 per cent stake in Infinity Creative Media for £2.6 million.