Content development leader brought on to forge a new direction for Discovery with millennial audiences across various platforms
In its endeavor to accelerate growth and embrace opportunities beyond linear, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific has appointed Sameer Rao as Vice President, Real World Products-South Asia with effect from November 25th. Rao will lead content curation, audience development, creative and original content for Discovery’s Real World product suite which includes Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Discovery Science, Discovery Turbo, Discovery Tamil, Discovery HD World and Animal Planet HD World.
Based in Mumbai, he will report to Karan Bajaj, SVP & GM South Asia, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific. He will lead the development of the Real World vertical and expand the networks’ existing category leadership.
Commenting on the appointment, Karan Bajaj, SVP & GM-South Asia, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, said, “I am delighted to have Sameer join our team to transform our Real World product suite with visceral content, compelling local franchises and digital offerings that resonate with millennial audiences. Sameer’s depth of experience and network will be a catalyst in developing an omni-platform content strategy appealing to the masses.”
Rao brings with him over two decades of experience in movie, broadcast and consulting industries. He was most recently with UTV’s Studio Division as Creative Director with responsibility for the conceptualisation, development and production of Hindi feature films. Prior to that, he was the business head and creative associate of acclaimed writer-director-producer Mr. Vidhu Vinod Chopra and has worked on iconic movies such as 3 idiots and P.K. Earlier in his career, he spent six years with STAR India in various capacities, including as GM and EVP for the STAR Gold channel.
Rao holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad and is also a Chartered Accountant.