MUMBAI: Prateek Garg, head of Corporate Development — Direct-to-Consumer & International, APAC, The Walt Disney Company, has reportedly put in his papers.
Garg moved into the Asia Pacific role after the acquisition of 21st Century Fox by The Walt Disney Company.
Garg is the third high-profile exit from Star in recent times, exchange4media reports. Recently, former Star Sports EVP — Ad Sales Anil Jayaraj had joined Reliance-backed Viacom18 as CEO — Sports. Prior to that, former Disney+ Hotstar SVP & Head, Advertising Gulshan Verma had joined JioAds as CEO.
As per Star India’s corporate website Garg, worked on all strategic and transformational initiatives in the region with a focus on creating a world-class, direct-to-consumer digital business in the region.
He was instrumental in shaping the transformation of Star’s television business into a leading content-led digital enterprise. He oversaw the strategy and execution of the biggest initiatives spanning the depth and breadth of Star India, such as regional channel expansion in vernacular languages, building India’s largest and deeply local sports business, and the launch of Disney+ Hotstar (erstwhile Hotstar).
Garg strengthened Star’s entertainment franchise by acquiring leading media networks. He led the sports team to successfully secure the highly sought-after marquee sports rights like IPL, BCCI & ICC, and conceptualised and operationalised domestic sports leagues to give India kabaddi and soccer as its #2 & #3 sport beyond cricket.
His work with Disney+ Hotstar (erstwhile Hotstar) has been focused on finding ‘out of the box’ strategic solutions and creating value for the business. Garg was also responsible for championing strategic alliances with partners globally.
Before Star India, Garg worked with HSBC Principal Investment team for five years. Prior to this, he was with Sun Group Private Equity and Ernst & Young Lead Advisory.
