MUMBAI: CNN International has appointed journalist and news executive Tony Maddox to executive vice president and managing director.

As announced by CNN Worldwide president Jim Walton, Maddox will assume oversight responsibility for a news and information portfolio that includes five CNN services in English, CNN en Español, CNNj, CNN.com International, CNNArabic .com, the joint ventures CNN-IBN, CNN+ and CNN Turk, as well as international news gathering and editorial and programming oversight.

Based in Atlanta at CNN world headquarters, Maddox will report to Walton, informs an official release.

"Tony brings to his new role a combination of professional skills and personal qualities that is increasingly rare in our industry," said Walton. "He is a veteran journalist with broad and direct knowledge of the complexities of the world CNN covers. He is a businessman who understands the unique value of CNN's brand and capabilities, and how to leverage them. And he is a leader who inspires teamwork, loyalty and individual excellence. Tony will guide a news business of extraordinary importance to extraordinary growth and influence."

Formerly senior vice president of news operations for CNN International, Maddox was responsible for operational and administrative oversight of CNN's 26 international bureaus and integrating international newsgathering activity into the larger CNN Worldwide organization. In addition, he managed the international news desk in Atlanta and supervised recruiting, training and development of newsgathering staff. Maddox joined CNN in 1998 as managing editor for the organization's Europe, Middle East and Africa coverage, based in London. Previously, Maddox spent 13 years with the BBC as a reporter, producer, editor and news executive, posted in Belfast, Plymouth and Leeds.

"CNN International is better placed than ever to deliver industry-leading standards of service to audiences around the world," said Maddox. "The opportunity to lead the great CNNI team is a privilege."