Christopher Chia to step down as MDA CEO

Chia leads Singapore initiative in becoming pioneer in employing latest media technologies in Southeast Asia.

The Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts (MICA) has announced that Dr Christopher Chia, Chief Executive of the Media Development Authority (MDA), will be moving on to the private sector after completing his tenure at the MDA. Dr Chia will continue in MICA as Senior Adviser, a post he was appointed to in July 2010, where he will help guide MICA’s efforts in developing the creative industries. MICA has appointed Mr Aubeck Kam as MDA’s Chief Executive (Designate) with effect from 18 October 2010, and as its Chief Executive from 1 November 2010, according to a MICA report.

Dr Chia joined the MDA in 2004 from the National Library Board. Under his leadership, MDA made great strides towards the development of a vibrant media sector by supporting the growth of enterprises, nurturing talents and fuelling the creation of compelling and innovative content and services. Dr Chia is a passionate advocate for the Singapore media industry and played an instrumental role in introducing a co-production strategy which seeded the creation of Singapore-made content with international appeal.

To date, MDA has supported over 200 film and TV co-productions involving Singapore companies with their partners from more than 15 countries including the US, UK, Australia and China. Singapore’s film and television content can be seen in over 70 countries and our digital media applications have been enjoyed by users in some 200 countries. In addition, MDA enjoys global branding for the talent and creative output of its industries in the film, broadcasting, publishing, interactive media, games and animation sectors.

During Dr Chia’s tenure, MDA enlarged its purview with responsibility for the multi-agency Interactive Digital Media Research & Development Program Office. Under his leadership, Singapore became the first country in Southeast Asia to deploy high-definition television nationwide, and was an early mover in the adoption of other cutting-edge technologies like stereoscopic 3D. Today, Singapore is among the first few countries in the world to have end-to-end capability in theatrical stereoscopic 3D. This 3D capability has now extended to the broadcast sector, with the country in the midst of a 3D TV trial. Singapore’s first stereoscopic 3D game was also launched at the Shanghai World Expo.In 2009, MDA launched the S$230 million Singapore Media Fusion Plan, a new five-year blueprint charting the future growth of the media sector, following the successful rollout of Media 21 in 2003.

On the regulatory front, under Dr Chia’s watch, MDA’s pro-business framework today sees more than 340 TV channels and 46 radio channels available in the market, up from 57 and 28 respectively in 2002, with High Definition TV, Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) and 3D viewing experiences, amongst others, available to consumers.

Mr Chan Yeng Kit, Permanent Secretary for MICA, said, “Dr Chia has made significant and lasting contributions during his time at MDA. The media sector in Singapore has grown under his leadership at MDA. We wish Dr Chia the very best in his future endeavours. At the same time, we welcome Mr Aubeck Kam to the MICA family. We look forward to Aubeck’s leadership in taking Singapore’s media sector on the next lap.”

Mr Aubeck Kam joined the Administrative Service in 2003. His previous postings include the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) and Ministry of Manpower (MOM). Mr Kam spent the early part of his career with the Singapore Police Force (SPF). He is currently Deputy Secretary (Manpower) at the Ministry of Manpower.