Charm Appoints Industry Pioneer Bao Li as CEO of Shangxing Media

USA - English

• USA - English

BEIJING, July 16 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- Charm Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: CHRM) ("Charm" or the "Company"), a leading advertising agency in China, today announced that it has appointed Bao Li as chief executive officer of Shangxing Media, one of Charm's three core business segments. The position was previously held by founder, chairman and CEO of Charm Group, He Dang. Mr. Li will also join Charm's Executive Committee.

Shangxing Media, Charm's principal media business, invests in and manages a portfolio of premium TV advertising resources through exclusive arrangements with Shanghai Dragon and Tianjin Satellite TV channels as well as four popular programs on CCTV. Through this network advertisers leverage branded content and other product placement techniques to create differentiated advertising campaigns. Shangxing Media's media consultancy team also works with television channels and programs to enhance their content, expand their viewer base and achieve higher ratings.

"We are seeing increasing demand from advertisers for advertising that targets specific geographies and demographics in a consistent and effective way through both traditional spot advertisements and, more recently, soft advertising," commented He Dang, founder, chairman and CEO of Charm. "Charm's Shangxing Media business, working closely with Charm Advertising, provides advertisers access to premium targeted advertising resources and helps leading channels and programs access Charm's portfolio of blue-chip advertisers. As an industry veteran, Mr. Li's extensive experience in China's TV advertising sector and expertise in branded content marketing make him the ideal candidate to manage Shangxing Media's operations."

Over his twenty year career, Mr. Li has become a high profile pioneer in China's TV advertising industry, known for his innovative programming and marketing strategies. He most recently served as the vice-director of advertising at Anhui Television Network ("Anhui TV") and the head of Anhui Online TV, responsible for all of the network's advertising sales, program promotions and event marketing. Prior to these two positions, Mr. Li was responsible for Anhui TV's content procurement and branded content promotions. Mr. Li's extensive experience working with national advertisers and knowledge of television media helped to elevate Anhui TV to one of China's leading provincial television networks. According to CSM, Anhui Satellite TV, which is broadcast nationally, was the 5th ranked satellite TV channel in terms of viewership market share in 2009, and Anhui TV's Finance and Economy channel, which is broadcast within Anhui province, was a top ten terrestrial provincial channel in terms of total viewers in the first half of 2010. Mr. Li has won numerous national awards for his work, recognizing his influence, creativity and prominence in the TV industry.

Mr. Li holds a bachelor's degree from Anqing University and an MBA from Fudan University.

About Charm

Charm Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: CHRM) is a leading advertising agency in China. Charm operates its business under three brands: Charm Advertising, Charm Interactive, and Shangxing Media. Under the Charm Advertising and Charm Interactive brands, Charm offers integrated advertising agency services from planning and managing advertising campaigns to creating and placing advertisements. Under the Shangxing Media brand, Charm has established a portfolio of television advertising media resources through its exclusive arrangements with four programs on CCTV, and two satellite television channels, Shanghai Dragon TV and Tianjin Satellite TV, which includes not only advertising time but also opportunities for placing branded content. Charm's clients include well-recognized brand names in China across many industries, as well as emerging domestic leading brands. In January 2010, Charm formed a joint venture with international 4A advertising group Aegis Media, its strategic investor, to operate its brand "Vizeum" in China. For more information please go to http://ir.charmgroup.cn .

    For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

    New York
     Amanda Sham
     Brunswick Group
     Phone: +1-212-333-3810
     Email: [email protected]

    Beijing
     Henry Fraser
     Brunswick Group
     Phone: +86-10-6566-2256
     Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Charm Communications Inc.