Ahmad Izham Omar swaps Media Prima for Disney Plus

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Ahmad Izham Omar swaps Media Prima for Disney Plus

Writer: Florey DM

Datuk Ahmad Izham Omar is now part of The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia.

17 Nov – After officially stepping down from his role as CEO of Media Prima's production company Primeworks Studios (PWS) just four days ago, Datuk Ahmad Izham Omar reveals that he has now joined The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia.

He posted on his Facebook today that his new job title is Executive Director, Content & Creative, Disney+.

Variety has also picked up the good news, after Disney announced his appointment as executive director for the streaming platform, with immediate effect. He will be based in Singapore, under Amit Malhotra, Regional Lead, Emerging Markets, The Walt Disney Company Asia Pacific.

Malhotra stated regarding the appointment, "(Omar) joins the team at an important juncture when Disney Plus is expanding its footprint in Southeast Asia, and his strategic vision, breadth of experience and outstanding leadership will be key in steering Disney's creative engine and delighting subscribers with the magic of our storytelling."

Omar's roles include "developing and producing original programming as well as acquiring content, ensuring end-to-end title launch readiness." The production of surround content for major sports and general entertainment programs are also part of what he will oversee.

Aside from previously working as Primeworks Studios CEO, Omar has an illustrious media career that includes being the CEO of Media Prima Television Network (MPTN) and leading the Media Prima Radio Networks (MPRN). He was also involved in the launch of Media Prima's video streaming service Tonton.

In the 1990s, through the record label Positive Tone, he had written and produced songs for various well-known local musical acts. Singers he had worked with throughout his music career include Siti Nurhaliza, Innuendo, Too Phat and Poetic Ammo.

Disney+ has yet to launch in most of Southeast Asia. It is so far available only in Indonesia, where it is branded as Disney Plus Hotstar and done in partnership with Telkomsel. There are no launch dates set for other countries in the region for now.

However, Singapore might be next in line for Disney+, seeing how it currently no longer has Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney Junior, and Go Disney on its TV networks, having been pulled from both Starhub and Singtel since last June. It is speculated that the removal of the Disney channels was done in preparation for Disney+ rollout in Singapore.

(Photo source: Yayasan Perpaduan Malaysia)

Cinema Online, 17 November 2020