MUMBAI: Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific (DNAP) has won three most coveted awards at the 10th Indo-American Trade Excellence (IATE) Awards, held in Mumbai. Organised by The Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC) and co-hosted by US Consulate General, Mumbai, the IATE Awards celebrate trade excellence and recognise the best Indian companies in the US and the best US companies in India.
Making a clean sweep, DNAP has been conferred with the top awards - Company of the Year (U.S. Company in India) and Operational Excellence in Media & Entertainment (U.S. Company in India). Additionally, Rahul Johri, EVP and General Manager - South Asia and Head of Revenue, Pan-Regional Ad Sales and Southeast Asia, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific has been awarded the Business Leader of the Year.
In awarding DNAP, the distinguished jury recognised its contribution in enhancing television entertainment in India, portfolio growth, India commitment, differentiated content, leadership, localisation strategy, marketing innovations and overall popularity and reputation amongst all stakeholders.
Rahul Johri, EVP & General Manager, South Asia, and Head Revenue- South East Asia, Pan-Regional Ad Sales, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific said, “These prestigious awards validate the wide trust in Discovery brands in India and further strengthens our commitment to offer the highest quality entertainment. This distinct recognition by IACC is a testament of the ingenious innovation and the passion of Discovery teams in India and Asia.”
Announcing the awards, Nanik Rupani, Regional President of The Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC), West India Council said, “Discovery has carved a distinct identity with an unmatched portfolio of channels in India. On behalf of IACC, I would like to congratulate Rahul Johri for his vision and inspiring leadership in strengthening the Indo-US business relationship.”
DNAP is credited with creating an unmatched portfolio of eleven unique brands, reaching over 240 million cumulative subscribers in India. In the last ten years, the company has cemented its leadership in the non-fiction entertainment genre.
The company has pioneered to build a dynamic portfolio in multiple genres: Animal Planet – a wildlife channel for family; TLC – a lifestyle channel for the young and aspiring Indians; Discovery Science – a 24-hour channel dedicated to science; Discovery Turbo – targeting youth, it features programmes on everything motored; Discovery HD World – a 24-hour high definition channel; and its first regional channel Discovery Channel Tamil catering to the Tamil speaking viewers. In 2012, the company made its foray into kids’ learning and entertainment with the launch of Discovery Kids.
DNAP has also announced launch of three new channels in 2014 – Investigation Discovery (ID) – its first Hindi entertainment channel; and two high definition channels – Animal Planet HD World and TLC HD World.
