Jessica Kam-Engle has been appointed as the EVP & Business Head of CreAsia Studio, focusing on local collaborations for local originals and Banijay IP adaptations.
She will report to Dhar and oversee business strategy and growth in key Southeast Asia markets including Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand.
A seasoned film/TV producer and studio executive with over 20 years of experience, Jessica has worked with major brands in the region including Walt Disney, Warner Media, and MTV among others.
Jessica, previously Head of Content and Development for Disney+ in APAC, commissioned over 60 original series in various languages. Before that, she was Head of Original Production for HBO Asia, overseeing 10 languages of original productions.
Talking about the development, Deepak said, “Given Jessica’s unparalleled experience in the Asian market, Banijay’s global IPs and marquee concepts, exciting local collaborations, and a focus on India as a production hub for the region, CreAsia Studio is our next growth engine.”He further added, “We’re confident of Jessica’s leadership to steer us towards a leading presence in the region. Her appointment is also a testament to our commitment to tapping into newer markets and diversifying our portfolio in the vibrant Southeast Asian entertainment sector.”Talking about her new innings, Jessica Kam-Engle said, “It’s my privilege to join the Banijay family, and I am excited to lead the strategic expansion in South East Asia. There are vast opportunities to develop local and global IPs with the pool of creative talent from this region, leveraging Banijay’s world-class content production expertise and its global distribution clout. I am looking forward to exciting collaborations with key players in the region.”
Last year, Banijay took full control of Endemol Shine India by acquiring CA Media’s 51% stake for $90-100 million. The two companies produce 85–90 scripted and unscripted shows across Hindi and regional languages a year, which is set to rise to 90–100 shows in 2024.
Dhar also stated that India has the potential to become a global content creation hub, with Banijay/Endemol vying for leadership in this area after producing the Chinese version of Big Brother in India.
He also stated that India’s content production business is ripe for consolidation, with Banijay looking to acquire companies with complementary assets and skill sets.
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