New Disney Streaming Executive in Asia: A Focus on K-Drama, Sports, and Opportunities in Japan

In his first interview since moving from Netflix to Disney, Tony Zameczkowski talks about Disney’s strategy in the Asia-Pacific region and why the company is focused on doing things their way. Zameczkowski joined Disney last August as the senior vice president and general manager of direct-to-consumer for Asia Pacific, taking on a role similar to what he handled at Netflix.

For a long time, Disney took a slower approach in building up their streaming content in the region compared to the faster pace set by Netflix. However, recent shifts in strategy, including hiring Zameczkowski, suggest a change in Disney’s activity level in APAC. The company’s increased investment in K-drama has paid off, with hits like Perfect Crown and Battle of Fates drawing large audiences. Additionally, ESPN has made its debut on Disney+ in Australia and New Zealand, signaling a more aggressive content strategy in the region.

Disney’s focus on local content is not surprising, given CEO Josh D’Amaro’s comments on the significant opportunities abroad. According to industry analysts, Disney has overtaken Prime Video as the second-largest investor in original content in Asia-Pacific. Zameczkowski, who previously worked at YouTube and Warner Bros., brings a wealth of experience to his new role at Disney.

In a recent interview, Zameczkowski outlined Disney’s current strategy in the dynamic and rapidly growing streaming landscape of the Asia-Pacific region. It seems that Disney is looking to leverage its strengths while also learning from the successes of competitors like Netflix. Zameczkowski’s insights into content partnerships, local production, and market expansion shed light on Disney’s evolving approach in the region.