AP create international division

The Associated Press have named Ian Ritchie, currently Chief Executive Officer of their international video service, to be Vice President-Global Business and Managing Director of AP International, a newly named division charged with expanding AP revenue opportunities outside the United States.
Ritchie, Chief Executive Officer of Associated Press Television News (APTN) in London, will report to John Keitt, Senior Vice President for Global Business.
"This is an exciting opportunity for all of us at AP," said Keitt in making the announcement. "Ian Ritchie brings a wealth of experience and expertise to help direct AP's new growth abroad."
In addition to pursuing growth and revenue opportunities, AP International will coordinate with regional and New York news executives to add depth and breadth to AP's global coverage. AP International will also include AP's London-based video news operation, which was launched in 1994 and now serves hundreds of broadcasters around the globe.
Ritchie has been APTN's Chief Executive Officer since 2000. He came to AP from Middle East Broadcasting Limited (MBC) where he was Chief Executive Officer, responsible for television, radio, and transmission of digital and cable operations in the Middle East.
In 1980 Ritchie turned to broadcasting after a successful career in law. In 1996, Ritchie was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Channel 5 Broadcasting Limited, and assumed full responsibility for the start-up of Britain's fifth terrestrial broadcast channel. Ritchie also served as an executive at Granada Television; Yorkshire-Tyne Tees Television; Central Television's Nottingham Studios, one of the largest television production studios in Europe; and London News Network, a television production and service company jointly owned by Carlton Television and London Weekend Television.
(GB)