Deepak Dhar, the Founder and CEO of Banijay Asia, has revealed the strategic expansion of the company into Southeast Asia through the creation of CreAsia Studio. This new venture, formed as part of Banijay Asia, which is a collaboration between Dhar and Banijay Group, now includes the establishment of CreAsia Studio. In addition, the company also holds ownership of Endemol Shine India. Jessica Kam-Engle has been named the Executive Vice President and Business Head of CreAsia Studio, with her primary focus on fostering local collaborations for original content and adapting Banijay IP for the regional audience.
Jessica Kam-Engle, having over two decades of experience as a film/TV producer and studio executive, will report to Deepak Dhar and oversee business strategy and growth in key Southeast Asia markets, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand. Previously the Head of Content and Development for Disney+ in APAC, Jessica commissioned over 60 original series in various languages. Before that, she served as the Head of Original Production for HBO Asia, managing original productions in 10 languages for the network. She has collaborated with major brands in the region such as Walt Disney, Warner Media, and MTV.
Deepak Dhar expressed confidence in Jessica's leadership, emphasizing her unparalleled experience in the Asian market. He sees CreAsia Studio as the next growth engine for Banijay, leveraging Jessica's expertise, Banijay's global IPs, and exciting local collaborations. Dhar highlighted the focus on India as a production hub for the region and the commitment to expanding into newer markets within the vibrant Southeast Asian entertainment sector.
Jessica Kam-Engle, excited about her new role, considers it a privilege to join the Banijay family. She looks forward to leading the strategic expansion in Southeast Asia, exploring opportunities to develop both local and global IPs. Jessica aims to leverage the creative talent in the region, combining it with Banijay's content production expertise and global distribution capabilities. She anticipates exciting collaborations with key players in the region.
In regards to Banijay Asia and Endemol Shine India, Deepak Dhar mentioned that they are expected to reach revenues of Rs 1,000 crore in FY24, solidifying their position as India's largest TV and streaming content production firm. Last year, Banijay acquired CA Media's 51% stake in Endemol Shine India for $90-100 million, leading to the production of 85–90 scripted and unscripted shows across Hindi and regional languages annually. This output is projected to increase to 90–100 shows in 2024. Dhar envisions India becoming a global content creation hub, with Banijay/Endemol aiming for leadership in the industry, particularly after producing the Chinese version of Big Brother in India. Additionally, Dhar emphasized the potential for consolidation in India's content production business, with Banijay actively seeking acquisitions of companies with complementary assets and skill sets.