The Walt Disney Company has appointed Raju Venkataraman (pictured) as vice president and general manager of Disney Media Distribution. Disney Media Distribution (DMD) is the new name for Disney - ABC International Television - the media distribution arm of the Walt Disney Company.
In his new role, Venkataraman will report to Mahesh Samat, the managing director of The Walt Disney Company. Venkataraman will be responsible for the licensing of branded and non-branded content to all platforms including free-to-air, cable and satellite brodcasters, mobile, broadband and VOD platforms. He will also continue as vice president of channel distribution for Disney Media Distribution, Asia Pacific and will continue to report to Rob Gilby, MD, DMD Asia Pacific.
Venkataraman played a role in building the network of channels under Disney; Disney Channel, Disney XD and Hungama TV. He was part of the team that got into an agreement with Sun Distribution Services for the distribution of Disney Channel, Disney XD and Hungama earlier this year.
Commenting on Venkataraman's appointment, Samat said, "Raju has been a key contributor in building the reach and relevance of the Disney brand in India. His strengths in critical functions such as finance, sales and business operations across the breadth of our business will help drive synergies between program and channel distribution to further enhance the reach of our popular international and local content across multiple platforms."
Rob Gilby, MD, Asia Pacific, said, “Raju’s expanded role will enable Disney to leverage his expertise to rapidly grow our business with existing and new media distribution partners in India, while tapping into exciting new opportunities to make the Disney Channels network available to families and kids across platforms and markets in Asia Pacific.”
On his appointment, Venkataraman, said, "I am excited to lead the Disney Media Distribution team as we work towards creating a Disney generation in India. We are committed to take Disney’s vast and compelling portfolio of stories to as many Indian kids and families as possible.”
Venkataraman will oversee the team in India comprised of Manju Nair, associate director, program distribution and Venkat Ramana, director, channel distribution, India and South Asia, for Disney Media Distribution. Nair will be responsible for developing and managing the content distribution business in India whereas, Ramana will be in charge of increasing the reach and revenue of Disney network of channels through distribution on multiple platforms across India and South Asia.
Previously Raju Venkataraman was in charge of business operations for Disney Channel in South East Asia prior to taking up the Channel Distribution mandate in June 2008. Venkataraman has 22 years of experience in a variety of industries both in India and in South East Asia and is a fellow member of CIMA, UK.
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