Kodak kingpins get the nod – odds shorten on Asia Pacific event

The GCG's new appointments are all taken from the graphic giant's recent buyouts of Creo and KPG, with the fresh management team set to report to Andrew Copley, managing director and vice president for the group's global sales.

Local contenders for the Asia Pacific role are joint favourites Tom Watson, KPG, based in Singapore, and Garron Helman, Creo, based in Hong Kong. Peter Foley, NexPress, based in Melbourne is considered a strong outside chance. All candidates currently look after the Asia Pacific region for their own companies.

KPG's current vice president of sales Kevin Joyce has been picked as the managing director of sales and operations for the GCC in the United States and Canada region. The current president of KPG in Japan, Dr. Kiyoo Shimada, is taking over as managing director for sales and operations for the GCG in Japan.

Gustavo Oviedo, the current vice president and general manager for KPG in the Latin American region, is taking over as managing director for sales and operations in his region.

The most recent appointment is Israel Sandler, Creo's managing director in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, who is to take responsibility for the GCG across the same regions.

This gives KPG three out of four positons so far decided, but there's a lot of money going down on yet another Creo placement for the Asia Pacific region.

Kodak claims the regional managing directors will be responsible for optimising all of the GCG's product and solutions offerings across their respective areas, integrating its activities as well as ensuring strong regional results and profitability.

“Kevin, Israel, Kiyoo and Gustavo each bring a breadth and depth of experience in their respective regions - and the industry – that will be extremely valuable in the successful integration of our business," says Copley.