Michael McKay

President

Michael McKay is an award winning Executive Producer, Director and Creator of programming with over 30 years of network television experience.

Michael has enjoyed worldwide recognition as an Executive Producer/Director of The Amazing Race franchise based on the 13 Primetime Emmy Award winning US version created by Bertram van Munster and Elise Doganieri. He has produced The Amazing Race Asia for AXN (the third season nominated for an International Emmy in 2009), The Amazing Race Australia for Seven Network  (the first season winning an International Emmy in 2012), The Amazing Race Israel in Hebrew for Reshet and was a Producer/Consultant Producer on several of the US versions.

Michael is also a multi award winning sports production executive. He was the Host Broadcast Consultant for the 2006 Commonwealth Games and has overseen the 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 World Superbike Championship rounds in Australia.

Michael’s extensive experience in the industry has guaranteed activeTV’s success around the globe.

Bertram Van Munster

Co-Director, Asia

Bertram is a veteran Dutch-American television producer. He is no stranger to Emmy award-winning television as he is Executive Producer/Co-Creator behind ‘The Amazing Race’ with his wife, Elise Doganieri. 

Previously Bertram was a field producer on the hit TV series ‘Cops’ during its early years until season nine. Bertram developed and brought to television the critically acclaimed reality series ‘Profiles From the Front Line’ about the U.S. men and women fighting terrorism in the Middle East. He is also the creator and executive producer of ‘Wild Things’, Paramount Television's hit adventure series that ran from 1997-2000, and is still in syndication around the world.

Bertram Van Munster is President and CEO of Worldrace Productions, Inc., Profiles Television Productions LLC, and Earthview, Inc.. His companies have worked in association with Jerry Bruckheimer Television and Van Munster is also partnered with activeTV Asia.

Kay Lawrence

Group General Manager

Kay is a highly accomplished General Manager and Executive Producer with an exceptional track record of delivering successful productions.  Kay has a demonstrated ability to forge and sustain relationships with the Australian and international industry to optimise opportunities and secure finance for projects. Kay's track record of success in negotiating deals which deliver substantial benefits to all parties by understanding requirements and expectations and devising innovative structures and approaches is second to none.

Kay spent 14 years with Jonathan M Shiff Productions as General Manager and Executive Producer and during this time executive produced over 160 hours of television drama and financed more than $110m in production including $11m from private investment in Fiji.

Her credits include Executive Producer - H20 Just Add Water; Wicked Science Series 1 & 2; Pirate Islands Series 1 & 2; Cybergirl, Scooter: Secret Agent; Thunderstone Series 1,2 & 3 and four series of the highly acclaimed BAFTA winning Ocean Girl.

Amanda Peppard

Vice President, Development - Australia

Amanda is responsible for spearheading activeTV Australia’s growth in original programming, format licensing and turnkey productions in the Australian and international markets. Her role encompasses development, marketing, financing, production and sponsorship. 

Amanda was Executive Producer of the hit children’s series 'Prank Patrol' (91 x half hours) which has become one of Australia’s most successful non-drama children’s programs - now being exported to CBBC, ZDF and RAI.  She also EP’d the brand funded format 'Movie Bites' for Foxtel and ‘3on3’ Series 2 for ABC3. 

Amanda has recently overseen the development of an exciting slate of original formats and co-productions suited to activeTV’s strengths in reality, factual, entertainment and sports programming. 

She enjoys a wealth of experience in international co-productions after a long tenure with BAFTA winning Producer, Jonathan M Shiff, one of the world's leading Producers of children's drama.

Marc Checkley

Vice President, Development - Asia

Marc is responsible for developing original content, new business and partnerships across Asia. He is also Supervising Producer of E! News Asia.

Previously the Group Editor of TV ASIA, Marc has worked in television, radio, print and online media for more than 13 years. Originally from New Zealand, he has worked on such productions as 'Inside New Zealand' (TV3), 'Shortland Street' (TVNZ), 'Gotcha' and 'The Noose' (MediaCorp), 'Driving Change' for StarWorld (FIC) and recently directed/co-produced 'Taxi Chronicles' for Yahoo!.

Before moving to Singapore in 2008, Marc was in Beijing producing and co-anchoring the China Daily’s Olympic Channel, an online lifestyle news channel. The first of its kind Olympic website garnered more than 3 million unique viewers in its first week alone.

Innately creative, with broad experience in television, news and media, Marc is able to effectively apply unique ideas across different genres of television.

Shauna Kane

Head of Production, Australia

Shauna Kane has over 25 years experience in the television industry with a special focus on live studio, outside broadcasts and event productions. She started her career at the Nine Network where she worked for 15 years on productions including ‘Today Show’, ‘A Current Affair’, ‘Hey Hey It’s Saturday’, ‘Ernie and Denise’, ‘In Melbourne Tonight with Frank Holden’ and ‘The Logie Awards’. Shauna has also worked for the Seven Network on ‘The Royal Children’s Hospital Benefit Gala’, ‘Twins’ and ‘What Not to Wear’.

Shauna’s extensive knowledge and expertise enables her to enhance activeTV’s already established reputation in live event spectaculars, international series production, high level sports production and event management in both entertainment and corporate events.

Shauna’s credits include Co-Executive Producer of ‘Woolworths Carols in the Domain’, Producer and Project Facilitator for the Australian component of CBS’s ‘The Amazing Race’, Producer of the ‘Australian Country Music Awards’ and Head of Production of ‘The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes’.

Brad Cox

Creative Director, Asia

Brad has worked in the television industry for over 20 years in the UK, Australia and Asia. He has created and adapted many formats and has won numerous awards for his efforts. Brad has produced over 1000 episodes of studio based TV and worked on the ground in over 50 countries, both directing and producing.

Brad co-created and directed ‘Can You Serve’ for MediaCorp TV, and has directed a series of five commercials for the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism.

Brad was Director of Programming and Production for ANTV, a national television station in Indonesia, and took the network to the highest ratings and position in its 16-year history, in less than six months.  During his time at ANTV, Brad oversaw the production team of 1100 people and all aspects of every program made by the network.

 Brad's work at activeTV has included the US version of 'The Amazing Race', the Israeli version, as well as the award winning Asian and Australian versions. 

Priscilla Yeo

Casting Director, Asia

Priscilla is responsible for cultivating talent and characters across a large variety of programs, ranging from light entertainment such as 'E! News Asia', children’s programs like 'Game On' for Starhub and large-scale reality series such as 'The Amazing Race Asia' (AXN) and 'The Amazing Race Australia' for the Seven Network.

Having worked in several Asian-Pacific nations and produced television in more than 30 countries across the globe, Priscilla has proven experience in international format transference while retaining local flavour and colour.

Priscilla had been the Production Consultant and Casting Director over multiple large format series in markets such as China, Vietnam, Philippines, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia and Israel. 

Joan Leong

Series Producer, Asia

Joan Leong heads production at activeTV Asia. She has a hands-on approach to all of activeTV's productions whilst ensuring they meet high production standards and budget adherence and transparency. 

She has produced big scale formats for international networks, such as 'Cash Cab Asia' AXN Asia, 'The Amazing Race Philippines' for TV5, 'The Amazing Race Israel' for Reshet, 'The Amazing Race Australia' for Seven Network and 'The Amazing Race Ukraine' for 1+1; produced an original activeTV youth TV format called "Game On" for StarHub and has conceptualised and produced shows for Media Development Authority, MediaCorp Channel 5, Arts Central and cable channel Super Sports in the genre of reality, variety, documentary and a series of music videos.

Joan is also a highly regarded professional photographer, in fact, her first job in the television industry was as a stills photographer. It instantly merged her passions for producing and photography in the media industry. 

Ashley Wang

Producer, Asia

Ashley is well versed in the realm of television and has worked on many television series from conceptualisation through to post production. Previous work includes series for MediaCorp Channel 5, Channel 8, and Starhub Super Sports.

Other than reality entertainment, Ashley has also created branded content for both broadcast and across multi-media platforms for clients such as Carlsberg, Unilever and Ogilvy.

Ashley began working with activeTV on the first season of 'The Amazing Race Australia' and since then has worked on three other versions of the award winning series. Other credits include 'Cash Cab Asia' and 'Can You Serve? Season 2', where she held multiple roles within each of production.

Kristina Brazenell

Finance Manager, Australia

With over twenty five years of experience in the advertising and television production industry, Kristina joined activeTV in 1996 as Finance Manager. Prior to joining activeTV and starting a family, Kristina ran a small accounting business with a diverse range of clients.

At activeTV she has been responsible for the implementation of improved accounting systems together with running of the overall financial management of the company.

She has worked on many events and television production budgets including ‘The Amazing Race’ for CBS America, ‘Reel Race’ for The Discovery Channel and ‘Woolworths Carols in the Domain’ for Seven Network.

Stella Wong

Finance Manager, Asia

With over seventeen years of financial experience in distribution, manufacturing, advertising and shared service, Stella has proven her capability to manage organizational change and transform ideas and strategies into realistic, achievable goals.

Stella has demonstrated strengths in financial control, planning, performance evaluation and system development. She has strong communication and interpersonal skills, and has the ability to work cross-culturally.

Ann Maginness

Production Manager, Australia

Ann’s career commenced at Network Seven in commercial production.  Her experience expanded into other genres including entertainment with the ‘Royal Children’s Hospital Appeal’, and sport with the VFL/AFL seasons and the Australian Open Tennis.

Ann was one of the first employees of activeTV, commencing in 1990. During this time Ann managed productions such as ‘Melbourne Cup Carnival’, ‘The Australian Grand Prix GPTV’, ‘The AFI Awards’, ‘National Australia Day Awards’ and ‘Woolworths Carols in the Domain’.

Ann went freelance and amongst her achievements played an integral role in the creation of ‘V8 Supercar TV’ which saw V8 Supercars bring all television production in house. Ann then went on to production manage Network Ten’s flagship morning program ‘Nine AM with David and Kim’.

Ann returned to activeTV in 2010 and immediately jumped into the world of reality TV.  She has now production managed 'The Amazing Race Asia’, ‘The Amazing Race Israel’ and ‘The Amazing Race Australia’.

Jacinta Halsall

Sponsorship and Business Development Coordinator, Australia

Jacinta has recently joined activeTV as Sponsorship and Business Development Coordinator working under Amanda Peppard.

Jacinta completed a Bachelor of Commerce at The University of Melbourne majoring in Marketing and Management. During this time she undertook a traineeship at Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu in the Risk Services Department and an internship at DDB Advertising in Hong Kong.

It was during her University studies she realised her passion for marketing, advertising and sales and began her media career at ACP Magazines (Bauer Media). Here, Jacinta worked in the Mediabrands agency team as a Sales Coordinator.

Within her exciting new role at activeTV, Jacinta is responsible for generating and implementing sponsorships for productions and continually developing business strategies.

Melissa Henshaw

Office and Production Coordinator, Australia

Melissa joined activeTV in 2012 after completing a Bachelor of Arts with Honours from The University of Melbourne. Melissa majored in Screen Studies and Cultural Studies and discovered television was her passion.

Melissa volunteered with SYN Media and gained training in radio as well as television. SYN’s music television program ‘1700’ gave her experience in live-to-air broadcasting and she was a Producer with the program for over a year.

Whilst studying, Melissa also gained experience working at the ‘Australian Open’ in 2011 as a Production Assistant, and as a Production Runner on programs such as ‘Masterchef’ and ‘Million Dollar Drop’.

Her credits at activeTV include Production Coordinator for ‘3on3’ and ‘Movie Bites’, and Production Assistant for ‘Woolworths Carols in the Domain’ and 'Tropfest'.

Meagan McKay

Office and Production Assistant, Australia

Meagan has freelanced with activeTV since 2009 when she worked on ‘Prank Patrol’ as a Production Runner.

Meagan’s other television credits with activeTV include Production Runner on ‘Good Friday Appeal’, Transcriber on ‘The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes’ and Production Assistant on ‘Woolworths Carols in the Domain’ in 2012 and 'Tropfest' in 2013.

Following this experience, Meagan was recently employed as activeTV’s Office and Production Assistant.

Louisa Lim

Office Administrator, Asia

Fluent in several Asian languages, Louisa joined the activeTV family after relocating to Singapore from Malaysia. She enjoys the constant challenges in television production and recently assisted on the The Amazing Race Ukraine when it stopped through Singapore. With strong inter-personal skills and a distinct flair for organization, Louisa plays a key part in activeTV's day-to-day business in Asia.