Uday Shankar appointed as chairman of merged Disney and Star India entity

Shankar will report to Kevin Mayer, chairman of The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International segment.

As part of the integration planning for the pending acquisition of Twenty-First Century Fox, Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment of The Walt Disney Company announced plans for strategic alignment of its consolidated international business units.

Uday Shankar, currently president, 21st Century Fox, Asia, and chairman and CEO of Star India, will become chairman, Star and Disney India, and president, The Walt Disney Company Asia Pacific.

Uday Shankar

Luke Kang - executive vice president and MD, Greater China, Japan and Korea, Kylie Watson Wheeler - MD, Australia and New Zealand, Chafic Najia senior vice president and MD, Middle East will report in to Shankar as part of the Asia Pacific leadership team.

“The planned restructuring of our business units outside of the U.S. will result in a stronger, more agile organization, one that is better able to pivot and capitalize on the many opportunities present in today’s fast-changing and increasingly complex global marketplace,” says Kevin Mayer, chairman of The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International segment.

“Once the acquisition is complete, all three regions will be led by exceptional, highly experienced executives who will combine the 'best of the best' talent from both organizations. This new structure and the outstanding leadership team we’ve put in place are clear demonstrations of our strong commitment to integrating operations and thoughtfully executing our strategic priorities around the globe,” he adds.

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Reporting to Shankar as part of the Asia Pacific leadership team will be the following current DTCI executives:

• Luke Kang, executive vice president and managing director, Greater China, Japan and Korea

• Kylie Watson-Wheeler, managing director, Australia and New Zealand

• Chafic Najia, senior vice president and managing director, Middle East