Disney Names MD for Indian Operations

MUMBAI/BURBANK, October 25: Mahesh Samat has been appointed
as the managing director of The Walt Disney Company (India), coordinating all
of its efforts in the key Asian market.

Based in Mumbai and reporting to Andy Bird, the president of
Walt Disney International, Samat will be responsible for driving the company’s
Indian strategy, coordinating all Disney business efforts in the market,
including overseeing Disney global franchises, expanding existing businesses
and seeking out new business opportunities. He will manage all of the existing
Disney businesses in India, except the ESPN/Star Sports joint venture, with all
local business segments reporting into him.

“International growth is of particular importance to Disney
and Mahesh’s experiences within India and worldwide will serve Disney well as
we grow all of our businesses in this market,” said Bird. “We are particularly
pleased that Mahesh brings to Disney expertise in developing brands,
identifying growth drivers and creating plans for emerging markets.”

Samat has had over twenty years of experience across the
Asia-Pacific and Europe. He joins Disney from Johnson & Johnson, where he
was most recently managing director for Southern Europe at J&J Vision Care,
based out of London.

Disney India set up shop in Mumbai in July 2004 and today
employs around 140 permanent staff.

—By CONTACT
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