English Entertainment
Disney Studios consolidates SE Asia media business with Dentsu
MUMBAI: Disney Studios Southeast Asia has awarded its regional media business to Dentsu Media Network, with Dentsu Möbius leading the account.
The media entertainment company decided to move away from partnerships with traditional media agencies in Southeast Asia and instead chose to work with the team put together by Dentsu Media.
The appointment follows an extensive pitch that played out over the summer after a formal media RFP. The partnership that further solidifies Disney’s global partnership with Dentsu Aegis Network, is off to an exciting start with Disney Studios end of the year cinematic line up: the new Pixar movie Good Dinosaur, immediately followed by Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens.
The Walt Disney Company SEA head of studio marketing Alex Baillie said, “We are pleased to extend our working relationship with Dentsu into Southeast Asia. Dentsu Möbius have a deep understanding of these markets and their media landscapes. Their creative and innovative approach will help us bring magical moments and memories that last a lifetime to Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars fans across the region.”
Dentsu Möbius CEO and Dentsu’s digital capabilities president for South and Southeast Asia James Hawkins added, “The opportunity to work on the Disney Studios business is an incredibly exciting prospect. Their continued creative genius and drive to innovate is a lip-smacking proposition for any agency to partner with. Landing this business must be accredited to the collaborative approach demonstrated across the entire region and our unwavering belief that a creatively led media proposition will take their business to the next level. I am massively proud of the team and now the hard work begins.”
Dentsu Aegis Network Southeast Asia chairman and CEO Dick van Motman said, “As the network that innovates the way brands are built, we find the most exciting challenges in iconic, legendary brands. It goes without saying that Disney falls into that category. It’s testament to our unique operating model that we are able to offer a cross-brand proposition that resonates with blue chip clients like these and we are proud to extend the larger regional relationship with Disney Studios in Southeast Asia.”
The appointment, which is the first media consolidation by Disney Studios, builds on a long-running relationship between the entertainment giant and Dentsu Aegis Network around the world. Disney works with DAN agency Carat in Australia and Dentsu in Japan.
English Entertainment
ZEE5 UK partners Narrative Entertainment to add UK channels
Six FAST channels added as platform sharpens hybrid play in Britain
LONDON: ZEE5 UK struck a first-of-its-kind deal with Narrative Entertainment, bringing mainstream UK television channels onto an Indian streaming platform as it pushes to deepen its footprint in a crowded, mature market.
The partnership adds six of Narrative’s FAST channels to the service, including Great! Movies, Great! Romance, Great! Mystery and kids brands POP, Tiny Pop and POP UP, widening ZEE5 UK’s appeal across genres and age groups.
The move reflects a clear shift in strategy. ZEE5 UK is betting on a hybrid model that blends on-demand content with curated, always-on channels to drive discovery and increase time spent on the platform.
“This partnership represents a meaningful evolution in how we serve audiences in mature markets like the UK, where viewers are defined by habits, convenience and choice rather than geography or language alone,” said Parul Goel, territory head, Europe, Zee Entertainment. “By bringing trusted mainstream UK channels together with our premium originals, movies and kids’ content, we are building a more consumer-centric platform that simplifies viewing while increasing depth and relevance.”
Fateha Begum, commercial director, Narrative Entertainment, said the tie-up would fuel growth for both sides. “Our portfolio of quality programming, with such wide and enduring appeal, is a perfect complement to ZEE5 UK. This is a strong partnership that will support growth for both parties, and we share Zee Entertainment’s vision of an increasingly partnership-led future for the industry.”
ZEE5’s global library spans over 4,000 films and more than 500 originals, with over 130 new titles added annually. The addition of Narrative’s channels strengthens its kids offering and introduces genre-led linear experiences alongside its on-demand catalogue.
The deal also gives Narrative access to ZEE5 UK’s fast-growing user base, extending reach without diluting brand identity, while reinforcing ZEE5 UK’s network of more than 40 live channels.
As streaming wars intensify, ZEE5 UK is widening its playbook, blending content, convenience and partnerships in a bid to win screen time in one of the world’s toughest markets.
