Mumbai: Viacom 18 has announced the appointment of media veteran Uday Shankar to its Board following the successful completion of transaction related to Viacom18’s strategic partnership between Reliance, Bodhi Tree Systems and Paramount Global.
The strategic partnership is expected to enable Viacom 18 to innovate and disrupt the M&E sector, with Uday Shankar and James Murdoch providing strategic and operational guidance to Viacom 18, leveraging their track-record of building iconic media businesses.
This unique partnership also brings together India’s biggest conglomerate, two of the most recognized media industry veterans and a leading global media and entertainment company.
Uday Shankar and James Murdoch combination are known for their landmark achievements in Media and Entertainment space. The combination is likely to drive the next pace of Viacom18’s growth.
After exiting Walt Disney they both joined hands to float Lupa India to explore technology and media opportunities in emerging markets.
Uday took over as CEO of Star India in 2007 and transformed the company’s broadcast operations, and made Star India one of the biggest media and entertainment companies in Asia. Under his leadership, Star India launched Hotstar – now Disney+ Hotstar –one of the most successful streaming services globally. He was appointed President of Walt Disney Asia Pacific when the Walt Disney Company acquired 21st Century Fox.