Angela Jain has been named Head of Content at Disney+ EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), and will join the company in September.
Jain joins from ITV Studios where she was Director of Unscripted, UK.
The newly created role comes on the heels of Disney’s recent earnings call, where the company emphasised the importance of international markets and its investment in local originals that complement its global slate as key pillars for growing its streaming business.
Across Europe, Disney+ plans to increase its local originals output over the next four years.
Jain will lead Disney’s EMEA content strategy for original productions on Disney+, including commissioning, production management, business affairs and Disney+ originals’ branded acquisitions. She will report to Eric Schrier, President, Disney Television Studios and Global Original Television Strategy.
Jain will effectively replace Liam Keelan, who stepped down in October last year.
Disney+’s local productions in EMEA include Rivals, The Stolen Girl, bref.2, This Is Not Hollywood and Invisible.
During her tenure at ITV, Jain held senior roles on both the network and studios side, as Controller of Digital Channels and Acquisitions, Managing Director of Lifted Entertainment, and most recently as its first Director, Unscripted UK, where she oversaw 11 labels. Prior to this, she was a controller at ITV2 and E4.
Schrier said: “Angela’s appointment to lead original content in EMEA is an essential piece of our ambitious plan to grow our local slate for Disney+. Her expertise and experience will help build on our recent success and elevate our storytelling, bringing customers more local stories that complement our incomparable movies and shows from our global studios.”
Jain added: “It is an irresistible opportunity to join Disney, return to commissioning and work alongside Eric Schrier and his talented team. The growth and vision to expand original productions is invigorating, and I look forward to collaborating with the very best creative talent to produce shows of real excellence and ambition for Disney+.”
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