iWorld
Kelly Day shares her views on Prime Video’s customer-first strategy globally
Mumbai: In a fireside conversation at APOS Bali (Indonesia) 2023, created and curated by Media Partners Asia (MPA), Prime Video VP international prime video Kelly Day shared her views on Prime Video’s customer-first strategy globally. “As a customer-first organization, delivering great content selection, convenience of accessing the expansive content offerings and customer value, act as the major differentiators for Prime Video globally. Our mission is to become the one-stop entertainment destination, a place where customers can find all of their video entertainment under one roof, be it content produced by us or by other studios, content from our partners such as Paramount+, HBO Max, Starz, BritBox, accessible through Prime Video Channels, or titles to rent or buy via our TVOD Store; or fast channels, linear channels, AVOD channels that we have in many locales. So, we’re really trying to deliver the maximum selection possible.”
Underscoring the investments Prime Video has made on behalf of customers worldwide, Kelly went on to share that since early 2022, Prime Video has been delivering even more variety and value through Original content, having launched 280 local Original titles across 25 countries. The service is further complementing this by bringing an incredible selection of content to the service through TVOD and Channels, with over 500 channels partners around the world, delivering incredible value to customers.
On the importance of building local content offerings, Day shared, “We do not want our customers to see Prime Video as one homogenized, global service. For each of our geos, we want customers to consider it as a local experience, but with all the benefits of getting a credible technology platform, with great global Originals and other acquired content. Japan and India are two great examples where we have deeply invested in building an extensive array of local, authentic content that resonates with the customers.”
Talking about the role of international content as a growth engine, Day elaborated, “Original content is a key pillar of growth. Over the last few years, we have invested in a lot in our big/key tentpoles, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, The Wheel of Time, Reacher, Citadel, and Jack Ryan, and these titles really resonate with our Prime customers globally and we see these working in almost every country around the world. That’s really what brings people into Prime Video, and once we have them engage with the service, then there is so much more that they can explore, whether it is licensed content such as Yellowstone or The Last of Us or Barbie or Super Mario Bros. Movie. And that is what we are really focused on trying to provide at Prime Video – a very personalized and engaging experience so that whenever customers come to the service, they are always going to find something that works for them, that they want to watch.”
“We see the APAC region offering an incredible subscriber growth opportunity with the high-quality content engine we are developing across Asia. Be it Japanese Originals, Indian movies and series, Korean dramas, and much more, all this is resonating with customers not only in the local markets but across the world. Not just Asia, international content from Spain and Argentina is increasingly becoming popular with customers, including English-speaking markets such as the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia, to name a few. Customers from these locales are truly embracing the authentic, engaging, quality storytelling coming from all over the world.”
Identifying Japan and India as the key growth drivers in the region and the potential in the Asia Pacific region, Kelly said, “We are relatively new in Southeast Asia and are in different phases of maturity in different countries. Japan is one of our most mature locales, India has been a huge growth driver over the last couple of years, in other markets we are just getting started, but we are incredibly excited by the opportunity here.”
Day signed off by saying, “We really want to be a singular entertainment destination where customers can find amazing content at an incredible value, great price, in the convenience of really having one place to go. We want to deliver a very personalized experience with an easy to use, single billing application that just makes it easy for customers to navigate everything that’s out there and find something worth watching.”
iWorld
Prime Video and Hrithik Roshan reunite for quirky heist comedy Mess
HRX Films expands pact with quirky heist comedy set for production
MUMBAI: Prime Video is doubling down on its partnership with Hrithik Roshan, announcing a new comedy film Mess that promises chaos, chuckles and a clever twist on the classic heist.
Produced by Hrithik Roshan and Eshaan Roshan under HRX Films, a division of FilmKraft Productions, the film is being made in association with Soda Films Lab. Directed by Rajesh A Krishnan, Mess marks the second collaboration between the streaming platform and HRX Films after the upcoming thriller Storm.
At the heart of Mess lies an unusual premise. A group of robbers break into the home of a man with OCD, only to find themselves outmatched in a night-long standoff that flips the script on who is really in control. It is a set-up that blends tension with humour, turning a break-in into a breakdown of expectations.
Prime Video India director and head of originals Nikhil Madhok said, “A good story should surprise and entertain, and Mess does both with ease. It brings together a unique premise, memorable characters and a tone that keeps you laughing throughout.”
He added that the collaboration with HRX Films continues to grow stronger, with the new film reflecting a shared appetite for bold and original storytelling.
Hrithik Roshan said, “After Storm, Mess feels like a natural next step in our journey with Prime Video. The film captures the kind of unconventional storytelling we want to champion, with Rajesh bringing a distinctive voice to the narrative.”
Director Rajesh A Krishnan said, “The world of Mess is a mix of comedy and chaos, unusual enough to keep audiences on edge while still delivering humour. It has been a deeply collaborative and creatively fulfilling experience.”
The original screenplay comes from Paul Soter, with adaptation and dialogues by Kapil Sawant, adding another layer of craft to the film’s offbeat narrative.
As production gears up, Mess looks ready to live up to its name, serving up a delightful tangle of mayhem, mischief and movie magic for audiences in India and beyond.
