Disney appoints Mahesh Samat as APAC head of consumer products commercialisation

The Walt Disney Company has announced the appointment of Mahesh Samat, executive vice president, Disney Consumer Products Commercialisation for the Asia Pacific region. Reporting to Ken Potrock, president, Disney Consumer Products Commercialisation, Samat takes on responsibility for the commercialisation of Disney franchises across merchandise, publishing and licensed games throughout India, Southeast Asia, Greater China, Korea, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.

Mahesh Samat

Samat re-joined The Walt Disney Company in India in November 2016 and went on to integrate the Southeast Asia and India businesses to form The Walt Disney Company's South Asia regional hub in September 2017. Mahesh led most of Disney's integrated business units that drove new strategies for the growth of global franchises while unilaterally creating new business opportunities for all Disney businesses. He previously led The Walt Disney Company's India operations from 2008-2012.

"The Asia-Pacific region continues to provide immense opportunity for Disney products and experiences," says Potrock, adding, "I am confident that Mahesh's proven leadership and steadfast focus on innovation and entrepreneurship will deliver dynamic growth across our brands and product categories."

"Disney products and experiences bring our stories and characters closer to fans every day. I am pleased to have the opportunity to lead this exceptional team to delight kids and families across these high growth Asian markets," says Samat.

With more than 25 years of experience in FMCG, Media and Healthcare across India, Asia-Pacific and Europe, Samat's repertoire includes Johnson & Johnson, Kellogg's, Warner-Lambert/Parke-Davis, and Boots India Limited. Between 2012 and 2016 he established the ' Television Networks and its popular Hindi-language - The Epic Channel, in India.