Disney has recently come to India. Disney lines of business in India include television, consumer products, home video, publishing, Studios and new technology ventures. Mr. Mishra manages the HR function of all Disney businesses in India. Prior to Disney, Mr. Mishra has worked in HR functions in Prudential ICICI and Star TV. What made this talk doubly special was the fact that Mr. Mishra is also an alumnus of XIMB.

We have all been touched by Walt Disney brand at one point or other in our lives. All of us loved, laughed and cried with characters like Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Snow White and more recently movies like Finding Nemo, Chronicles of Narnia. The company has been in the business of producing quality family entertainment for over 80 years since its founding in 1923. Disney has a huge multinational presence and is one of the most recognized brands worldwide. Disney was valued 7th in Business Week’s 2006 edition of World’s Most Valued Brands survey.

This USD 33 billion company is focused on the India market as part of its emerging markets strategy for expansion. Addressing the students, Mr. Mishra said that entertainment industry in India is still in a very nascent stage. He explained how organic and inorganic growth was the future ahead in the entertainment industry and provided valuable insights about increasing trend of emerging IP (Intellectual Property) companies. We all know that the two channels namely – Disney Channel and Toon Disney are already on air in India. It would be apt to remind here that, Disney has acquired Hungama TV and taken an equity interest in UTV. In India, Walt Disney has licensing arrangements with over 55 companies for its consumer products business. It includes the paint company Goodlass Nerolac for a range of paints for children’s rooms, which come with Disney characters. Apart from this Disney have various strategic tie ups with Star TV India for distribution of ESPN, with ADLABS to run Disney Movies on morning shows for children as part of “Disney Movie Magic”. Sony distributes Disney’s Hollywood movies in India.

The talk was very informative and stimulating. The students enjoyed interacting with the alumnus. Towards the end, Mr. Mishra answered queries put up by the students. In answer to a question he reiterated the potential India holds for Disney. He emphasized on Disney’s long term commitment to India and its interest in growing the category. Mr. Mishra concluded with a few quotes of the great Walt Disney himself and their relevance to students learning the nitty gritties of business. He urged students to believe in themselves and their dreams; also cautioned them to be realistic at all times.