Mumbai: ABP Network has appointed Sameer Rao as chief executive officer (CEO) of its content production arm ABP Creations. He will be operating from ABP Network’s Mumbai office.
Rao is a seasoned media and entertainment professional, with wide-ranging experience of two decades across television, film, and digital platforms.
Sameer is a well-regarded senior Indian media and entertainment industry professional with strong expertise in conceptualization, development, and execution of original content. He has formerly worked at YouTube, STAR India, Discovery Communications, Vinod Chopra Films, and UTV Motion Pictures in managerial and leadership roles. Moreover, Sameer holds a PGDBM from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad.
In the recent past, ABP Studios has shown tremendous potential with its co-produced and critically acclaimed Marathi feature film, “Karkhanisanchi Waari” (Ashes on a Road Trip) which has been streaming exclusively on SonyLiv. The film was nominated into eight categories for the prestigious Marathi Filmfare Awards of which it won three Filmfare Awards including awards for ‘Best Picture’, ‘Best Director’, and ‘Best Supporting Actor Female’. It also had eight nominations for the Maharashtra Times Sanman Awards (MATA) and three wins. “Karkhanisanchi” was selected for the Cannes content market as well, as one of the films that the government used to showcase as an exemplary work in the Marathi cinema.
“Say Yes to the Dress”, another ABP Studios production, streaming on Discovery Plus, has also been a hit among the audience. The series is an Indian adaptation of the American reality TV series by the same name that gives the audience an exceptional chance to experience the glitz and glamour of it all, as celebrated stylists try to get the brides say ‘yes’ to the elusive dress, whilst making it an intimate, poignant, and memorable experience for the audiences. ABP Studios was hand-picked by Discovery International to produce this runaway hit format for the Indian subcontinent.
Within a year ABP Studios has bagged an impressive line-up of clients which includes Facebook, Google, Universal, SonyLiv, Hoichoi, Star Pravah, Discovery Plus and National Geographic. In 2022, ABP Studios is excited about developing and presenting content from its recent acquisitions in adventure, horror, and crime drama genres.
ABP Network CEO Avinash Pandey said “We are pleased to welcome Sameer Rao to the ABP Network family. We are certain that with his expertise and accomplishments, he will take ABP Creations. to greater heights. In this dynamic period of digital growth, his vision will perfectly align with our goals for ABP Creations. I believe that over time, his knowledge, and ingenuity will further contribute to the organization's success.”
