After making a shocking exit from Abu Dhabi Media (ADM) on April 1, Ricky Ghai will join Eros Internationals digital arm as CEO from July 2011. Eros Digital is the digital and new media arm of Eros International, a major integrated Indian film studio. Ghai will be based in Eros operating offices primarily in India, […]
After making a shocking exit from Abu Dhabi Media (ADM) on April 1, Ricky Ghai will join Eros Internationals digital arm as CEO from July 2011. Eros Digital is the digital and new media arm of Eros International, a major integrated Indian film studio. Ghai will be based in Eros operating offices primarily in India, as well as the UAE, UK and US.
Ghai joins Eros at a strategic period as the company is presently embarking on a huge project aimed at digitising its 2,100-strong film library, which will assist the company in monetising its intellectual property.
Digitisation of content will enable Eros to deliver its content across web, mobile and other new media platforms. It will also enables Eros to easily access the entire Indian diaspora across the world, as well as domestically in India.
According to the April 2011 Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry / KPMG report, annual growth rates in the digital sub-sector of the Media & Entertainment industry in India exceed 30%, far in excess of more traditional sub-sectors.
Speaking about Ghais appointment, Kishore Lulla, executive chairman of Eros said: Eros Digital will be an increasingly large contributor to Eros International Plcs growth over the medium term and the appointment of Ricky is a statement of our intent in this arena. We are already involved in cutting edge developments in the digital sphere, including the full digitisation of our extensive movie library. I am confident that Ricky will add greatly to our existing digital momentum.
Ghai added that Eros has all the right ingredients; credentials, talent, compelling content and technology at its fingertips, to lead the field.
In the coming months, we aim to take Eros to another level. Good ideas are easy to find, but its our ability for excellence in execution that will stand us apart, he stated.
Ghai previously led the Digital Media Group at Abu Dhabi Media and successfully initiated several strategic international investments there, establishing independent, vertical subsidiaries in gaming and digital marketing. In partnership with Sony and Universal Music Groups, he also oversaw the media companys founding stake in online music video portal VEVO, where he was also a Board member. Complementing ADMs substantial online print and broadcasting properties, Ghai also helmed the launch of a live online English Premier League subscription service across the MENA region for ADM last year.
