GOOD PEOPLE
PEOPLE OF THE MOMENT
GOOD PEOPLE
PEOPLE OF THE MOMENT
The Interview
My Selection: Could you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?
Tony Zameczkowski: My name is Tony Zameczkowski and I am Vice President Asia, BD at Netflix. We launched Netflix in all of Asia but China and North Korea a year ago and opened our Asia hub in Singapore in March. We have now 50+ employees based in Singapore and plan to grow further in 2017. Previously, I spent a year running the International operations for a Kleiner Perkins-backed start-up named Victorious and more than 8 years at Google where my last role was to head up YouTube Music for the Asia Pacific Region.
MS: What does your job entail exactly?
TZ: My role is to grow the business for Netflix in Asia by forming partnerships with telecom operators and device manufacturers in the region.
MS: How long have you been living in Singapore and what brought you there ?
TZ: I moved with my family to Singapore in 2014 when I was working for Google. After almost 3 years, we are now Singapore PR and are looking to stay in Singapore for the long run. We have been in Asia for more than 5 years and used to live in Hong Kong prior to moving to Singapore.
MS: With work done, how do you like spending your free time in the Lion City?
TZ: I run and meditate every Saturday afternoon in the McRitchie Reservoir. It is my own way to release stress from the previous week. When you are there, you feel you are in the middle of nowhere. You can see monkeys and lizards in the wild. For shopping with my wife, I would definitely go to Takashimaya or Paragon on Orchard Road. You can find pretty all clothing brands there. I love spending time in Hajin Lane which is located in the Malay district. It is a small street full of small restaurant and concept stores. I also love to spend time with the kids at the Botanic Gardens. You Truly feel you’re in a jungle. the palm trees are just amazing. For staycation, we like to stay at the Capella Hotel in Sentosa with my wife for one night to rest, go to the spa and relax for a week-end away from the kids. You feel you’re truly on vacation when you are there.
MS: Singapore is famously a melting pot of cultures and, as a result, also of multiple cuisines. What are your favorites?
TZ: Jim Thompson for the amazing Thai food. It is also in a fantastic location which is Dempsey Hill. After having a nice meal there, I would go for a last drink at the Green Door in Dempsey Hill. With my family I love to go for a brunch by the beach at the Shangri-La or Sofitel in Sentosa. Their kids activities and buffet are just fantastic. For something more trendy, I would definitely go for a brunch at the Tanjong Beach Club or Mambo Beach Club in Sentosa. They both have a swimming pool by the beach and give you a feel of Nicki Beach.
MS: Where do you like to have dinner in Singapore? Could you name your Top 3 picks among restaurants, bars & cafes in Singapore?
TZ: For restaurants: Best Fine cuisine at Jaan @Swisshotel, best Brunch at Billiard Room @Raffles for a romantic brunch and the Sofitel in Sentosa for a family brunch by the beach, best Thai at Jim Thomson. For bars: 28 Hong Kong Street, Manhattan Bar @The Regent Hotel, Jigger & Pony in Telok Ayer
Styled and shot by Jim Thomson
MS: Selecting wine depends very much on the occasion. When do you like to drink wine? On its own / with a meal / alone / with company?
TZ: I like to have a glass of white or rose wine every evening with my wife after work once the kids are sleeping.
MS: Are there any wines that you particularly like and would recommend to our readers? Or maybe you have your favorite pairings with the food you mentioned before?
TZ: For red wine: Terrazas from Argentina paired with a great red meat from Huber Butcher , for white wine: Cloudy Bay from New Zealand paired with a great fish, for rose wine: Hydropathe from France paired with Thai food.
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