Draft:Alexander Zilo

Alexander B. Zilo (born June 4, 1950) is an American businessman, a veteran international television and entertainment executive widely considered to be one of the "last pioneers in the television broadcasting world". From Viacom, CBS, and ABC to Star TV to Orbit, Zilo has always looked towards new frontiers. Zilo currently serves as senior partner of Private Consortium in Saudi Arabia.^[1] Zilo”s career spans more than 40 years in the media, satellite television and content distribution business.^[2] Zilo has founded or sits on the board of several philanthropic organizations.

Early life

Zilo is the son of Albanian immigrant, Dr. Spiro Zilo and Henriette Eugenie Bucquet Zilo. He has a brother named, Dr. Philip Zilo born in New York City in 1952. Zilo was born in Paris, XIV, France where his father studied and subsequently taught Dentistry at the University of Paris and his mother’s family had resided for generations. Zilo migrated to New York City with his mother in 1952 and grew up in the largely immigrant New York City area called “ Hells Kitchen ”. Young Zilo was raised in the Greek Orthodox Church family. In October 1964, Zilo and his brother travelled the SS France to Le Havre and then made their way alone to Paris.

Education

Zilo attended a Greek parochial school at an early stage in New York City and was sent in 1964 to be educated, as a boarder, at Jesuit schools in Chauny (St. Charles) and Soissons (St. Remy), France. Zilo attained his Baccalaureate degree in 1972 in Amiens, France. Zilo subsequently graduated from Baruch College (CCNY) majoring in Finance and attended an MBA program at St John’s University majoring in Marketing - New Product Development, under Prof. Eberhard E. Scheuing. Zilo holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Cairo, Egypt.

Career

Viacom International

Zilo began his career in television with Viacom in 1980. He spent five years in various positions in television syndication including talent residuals and finance.

CBS

After his five-year tenure with Viacom, CBS hired Zilo as director of finance for CBE. CBS Entertainment is responsible for acquiring or developing and scheduling the entertainment programming presented on the CBS Television Network. Sitting on the 33rd floor of 51 West 52nd street (Black Rock), Zilo was responsible for managing the financial program development portfolio for two years.

ABC NEWS

Restless to crossover into to TV production, Zilo accepted an ABC News position in a pilot development unit as Program Controller. Working alongside producers, Victor Neufeld, Nola Safro and Karen Lerner, Zilo joined the production teams for many segments such as the "Beach Boys" and "Urban Cowboys."

Housed in the same unit as Geraldo Rivera and on June 6 1978, the unit, hosted by co-anchors, Hugh Downs and Barbara Walters launched the 20/20 News Magazine. In 1979, President Roone Arledge expanded the ABC News documentary unit headed by Pamela Hill. As Senior Program Controller of the ABC CLOSEUP Documentaries Division, Zilo oversaw the production of 18 documentaries including “ FDR “, "Philadelphia Cops" and, “The Mercenaries." Zilo also oversaw the administration of legendary Bruce Soloway’s award winning ABC News On Air Promotions unit.

Expanding ABC News operations, Roone Arledge appointed Zilo as managing director administration in Asia. Zilo established the ABC News offices in Beijing, China and Manila, Philippines.

During his ten year tenure in Hong Kong, Zilo serviced ABC News' most popular and enduring programs, including 20/20, World News Tonight, Good Morning America, This Week, Nightline, and Primetime Live and worked alongside Anchors, Frank Reynolds, Ted Koppel, and Peter Jennings. Zilo participated in the field production coverage of “Indira Ghandi Funeral," "The 40th Anniversary of the Fall of Vietnam," and the “Ferdinand Marcos Departure."

MediaVision

In 1983 Zilo founded MediaVision in Hong Kong. MediaVision was established as a state-of-the-art commercial production and post production facility servicing the greater Hong Kong corporate and advertising sector. Zilo won several Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies of Hong Kong (HK4A’s) awards. Zilo pioneered the usage of optical fiber for broadcast in Hong Kong connecting his facility to Hong Kong Cable and Wireless.

STAR TV

Incorporated in February 1988, Zilo was recruited by Hutchison Whampoa Limited and joined by Richard Li Tsar Kai (younger son of Hong Kong’s richest billionaire), Li Ka-Shing in 1987 to form a feasibility study for the exploration of the satellite distributed television concept. Upon issuance of their broadcast license, Zilo was appointed senior vice president and head of programming. Now owned by News Corporations, Star TV now reaches over 300 million viewers in 53 Asian countries.

ORBIT Satellite Television & Radio Network

As founding president and chief executive officer, in the fall of 1993, Zilo assembled a team of management which created a group whose companies encompass broadcasting, production and distribution of digital technology, subscriber Management and internet delivery via satellite. Orbit transmits programming in 23 countries throughout the Middle East and North Africa.

Mawarid Holdings Company

In 2000, remaining with the with the MHC Group, Zilo was appointed Special Advisor Media and Communications and Orbit Satellite Radio and Television Board Member.

Public Marketing Partners

Co-founder and senior partner

Public Marketing Partners (PM) is an innovative firm specializing in the development of game-changing marketing solutions across a wide spectrum of territories and industries.

Provide its customers with world-class innovation solutions to achieve exceptional profitability and long-term growth through sustainable innovation.

Professional honors and awards

Throughout his remarkable career, Zilo has been the recipient of many awards and honors, including the MTV “ Moonwalker “ award for the launch of MTV Asia in 1991, Hong Kong Advertising Craft Awards for Production , Post Production, and Animation, and the prestigious “ Japan Creativity Award “. In 1994, Zilo was elected to the International Council of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and made full director in 1995. In 1999, the American University of Cairo appointed Zilo as an Honorary Associate Faculty member for his leadership and contributions to the international broadcast industry.

Personal life

Alexander Zilo has six children, Christopher, Gregory, Jessica, Stephanie, Melania, and Angelina. Zilo also has five grandchildren (Luka, Zoe, Kyra Rose, Russell and Meadow). Zilo has resided in France, Hong Kong, Italy, the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Equestrian interests

Zilo pursued his equestrian interests through eventing, jumping and dressage through competition and the breeding of Pure Spanish horses (P.R.E.)

• Foundation for the Pure Spanish Horse (FPSH) director
• ANCCE in Spain, director and North American delegate
• United States PRE Association (USPRE), founder
• United States PRE Breeders Association (US PREBA), founder and president

Philanthropic activities

• Director of various American not-for-profit organisations
• Advanced Learning World (ALW)

References and external links

• “ The Next Generation: Asia's Future Leaders - The Asia Wall St. Journal, Page 1 (6 October 6. 1993)
• “ The Star TV Fleet “, Variety, April 3, 1995.
• “ Zilo tapped to head Gulf sat service “ Variety, July 21st 1993.
• “ The Paradoxical Kingdom - Saudi Arabia and the Momentum of Reform “, Daryl Champion, Page 370
• “ Monarchies and Nations: Globalisation and Identity in the Arab States of the Gulf “ Page 48
  • “ Italian TV Broadcaster Orbit Gives Arab World “Music Now ””, Billboard, July 9, 1994.
  • “ Orbit Sat TV to Launch “ Variety, Rhonda Clark, February 6, 1994
• “ Arab Television Today “, Naomi Sakr,
• “ Democratisation and the Media “, Vicky Randall
• “ Global Media and National Policies: The Return of the State “, Naomi Sakr, Page 180
• “ The Democracy Agenda in the Arab World “, Douglas Boyd, 1992
• IBC Award 1994 “Broadcast Operation of the Year “
• “ Censorship fears as BBC closes Arabic TV “, The Independent, Mathew Horseman, April 9, 1996.
  • “ Tapping the Power of Satellite TV “
• Broadcasters Aim for Arabic Speakers Around the World “ New York Times, John Tagliabue, April 15, 1996
• “ Mideasts Orbit Moving From Rome “, Multichannel News, Chris Forrester, May 24, 1998.
• “ Saudi TV outlet blames BBC for breakup “ UPI, Danah Saadawi, April 9, 1996
• “ Frontiers of Freedom: Diverse Responses to Satellite Television in the Middle East and North Africa “, Naomi Sakr, 1999.
• “ Orbit Urges Middle East Co-operation “ Via Satellite, November 2, 2000
• “ Growing Orbit Rises as Saudis OK Dishes “ Variety, David Rooney, May 30, 2000
• “ Satellite Realms: Transnational Television, Globalization and the Middle East “, Naomi Sakr, Page 93
• “ Transnational Connections and the Arab Gulf “, Madawi Al-Rasheed, 20055