MUMBAI: National Geographic Ventures (NGV) has named Bernice Chu as VP of business development. Bringing more than 10 years of legal and entertainment business experience, Chu will report to NGV COO and president distribution Edward Prince.

In this newly created position, Chu will take on the responsibilities of leading the analysis, negotiation and closure of domestic and international business transactions for broadcast, cable, home video, DVD, Internet, IPTV and broadband, from development through distribution. She also will work closely with Prince on overall strategy and business development for the division.

Prince says, Over the past few years, there has been significant growth and change in the digital space and the emergence of our entertainment group. Bernice will be a great asset in helping both the entertainment and digital media divisions extend the National Geographic brand into a wider array of entertainment businesses and take advantage of new opportunities in the digital marketplace.

Prior to joining National Geographic, Chu served as vice president of business and legal affairs for Playboy. She oversaw the day-to-day business and legal affairs for international entertainment. Before that, Chu was a director of business and legal affairs with Twentieth Century Fox, serving both at Fox International Entertainment Channels and Fox Latin American Channels where she was responsible for the business and legal affairs group supporting distribution of Twentieths channel assets.