BEIJING, Aug. 23, 2012 -- Bona Film Group Limited ("Bona" or the "Company") a leading film distributor and vertically integrated film company in China, today announced the appointment of Dr. Jack Q. Gao, Senior Vice President of News Corporation and Chief Executive Officer of News Corporation'sChina Investments, to its Board of Directors, which will be effective September 10, 2012. Dr. Gao will replace Ms. Nansun Shi, who will resign from the Company's Board to pursue other interests but will continue to serve in an advisory role and on the investment committee of the Company.
"As head of News Corporation's investments in China, Jack played an important role in their recent strategic investment in Bona, and we are pleased that he has agreed to take a more active role in the Company by joining our Board. He has a wealth of China and international experience with global leaders in media and entertainment and a range of other industries, and his appointment will significantly strengthen our Board of Directors. We welcome Jack to Bona and look forward to his contributions to our strategy, direction and future success. Lastly, I would like to thank Ms. Nansun for her service. We are looking forward to working with her in her new role," said Bona Founder, Chairman and CEO Yu Dong.
Dr. Gao has over 20 years of executive experience in software, media & entertainment and venture capital. He currently serves as Senior Vice President of News Corporation, CEO of News Corporation China Investments and Chief Representative of News Corporation Beijing Representative Office. Prior to joining News Corporation in 2006, Dr. Gao was Corporate Vice President and President of Emerging Markets at Autodesk, where he oversaw the Company's emerging markets business with a focus on Greater China and India. Previously, he was President and General Manager of Microsoft (China) Ltd. Co., where he was responsible for operations, sales and marketing, government relations and business developments. Additionally, he has been a General Partner at Walden International, a $1 billion venture capital fund and Asia Business Manager at MSC Software. Dr. Gao holds a PhD, Master and B.S in Engineering from Harbin Institute of Technology and University of California, Los Angeles.
Dr. Gao said, "I am honored to join Bona's Board of Directors at this important stage in the Company's development. Bona's vertically integrated business model has produced a number of advantages over other Chinese film distributors, and has the Company well positioned as a leader in China's fast-growing film industry. I am excited to be working more closely with Bona's talented executive team, and look forward to helping the Company realize its tremendous growth potential as we move along the path to success."