As Vice President of Communications, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific (DNAP), Tham oversees strategic communications across the region for Discovery’s portfolio of seven brands – Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, TLC, Discovery Science, Discovery Home & Health, Discovery Turbo and Discovery HD World.

Tham looks after all communications and publicity efforts, developing and implementing internal and external communications strategies for DNAP to promote its brands, business initiatives, and network programming. She is based at DNAP’s headquarters in Singapore, reporting to DNAP’s Senior Vice President, Content Group, Kevin Dickie.

Tham joined Discovery in July 2002 as Senior Communications Manager. She was promoted in March 2005 to Director, Network Communications.  Prior to joining Discovery, she was Network Communications Manager at MTV Networks Asia, and before that served as Marketing Communications Manager with Nike Singapore where she began her career.

Tham earned a Bachelor of Arts from the National University of Singapore, majoring in Political Science and European Studies.

L&S: How would you best describe a typical work day?
MT: It is busy here at Discovery with something always going on! Between internal meetings, working with our agencies, liaising with our US headquarters and offices here in Asia Pacific (Singapore is the regional headquarters) and speaking to the media, the day goes by pretty quickly. We're always either launching a new brand or channel, initiative or show - and sometimes we could be working on a few projects at the time same time. I've been here almost a decade but it never gets boring - Discovery is continuously evolving so it keeps us on our toes. I love it that we have a lot of exciting programmes and great talent on our channels - that's one area in particular I really enjoy since it makes my job promoting these easy. We bring these talent/hosts on tour around the region a few times a year, and we also take media on trips for unique Discovery experiences, from exploring tombs in Egypt to watching the great migration in the Serengeti in Tanzania. In fact, I'm doing this interview right now in Seattle where I'm hosting some media on a Deadliest Catch event. They're meeting some of the captains from the series and will have the chance to get onboard the ships this weekend! Of course, having a great team to work with every day is a bonus.

L&S: Are there any projects under Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific's portfolio that particularly stand out for you?
MT: I've worked on so many exciting projects, it's hard for me to pick one in particular. When I joined Discovery, we only had two channels - Discovery Channel and Animal Planet. We now distribute seven brands in the region and I've personally worked on the launch of Discovery Travel & Living (relaunched as TLC last year), Discovery Science, Discovery Turbo, Discovery HD World and Discovery Home & Health. Discovery Channel is now the number one international channel in the region watched every month by 129 million people according to Peoplemeter, and TLC is the number one international travel and lifestyle channel. It really makes me proud to be working here - and seeing Discovery's growth and success.

Over the years I've also had the pleasure to meet and travel with personalities like Bobby Chinn (from the World Cafe series), Bob Blumer (Glutton for Punishment), the Rubino brothers (Made to Order), Jimmy Smith and Doug Anderson (Fight Quest) who have all now become dear friends; and I'm grateful to have met and known Steve Irwin who really was a truly passionate, genuine and kind man - I was very sad when he passed away.

L&S: Discovery reaches more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 180 countries. What percentage of that are viewers from Asia Pacific, and how much growth is expected in the next 12 months?
MT: In Asia Pacific, Discovery reaches over 514 million cumulative subscribers in 32 countries; we have 11 offices around the region, 7 brands (Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Discovery HD World, Discovery Turbo, Discovery Science and Discovery Home & Health). Given we are in the most populous region in the world, there's still room to grow.

L&S: In your opinion, how are viewer preferences changing? Is there a specific type of content that is fast gaining popularity?
MT: There might be some quirks and differences in each market we operate in in Asia Pacific but by and large, our hit series from the US like Mythbusters, Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations, Man vs Wild and Cake Boss, are also big here.

Essentially, these programmes are high-quality and entertaining - and whether you are in Kuala Lumpur or Korea, they still remain compelling. They work well around the world. We do however schedule for specific markets and localise to cater to them. Since I work out of the regional office, it's interesting for me to see how the audiences in different markets gravitate towards certain genres. Japan viewers for example really love series with cute, furry animals; in Taiwan they prefer programmes featuring predators chasing (and killing) their prey!

L&S: Could you tell us a bit more about Discovery's fundraising initiatives in the region?
MT: Recently, we worked on a project to create a series of PSAs for Japan to provide support and encouragement for the people of Japan and for those who were affected by the devastating tsunami. The PSAs featured celebrities/talent from our channels, promoting Global Giving.

Last year the company celebrated our 25th anniversary in July and launched a company-wide initiative called "Discover Your Impact Day" involving all our employees and offices around the world. In Asia Pacific we worked with several charities and organisations to make a positive impact on our planet and my team and I were the main contacts for our region. It was something very worthwhile and everyone felt great - in fact, the feedback was so positive, it has become an annual event and I look forward to doing it again this year.

W: www.discovery.com