Imagine Entertainment chairmen Brian Grazer and Ron Howard have tapped Swati Shetty, formerly an executive with Netflix’s India team, to lead the company’s global expansion as executive vice president, international content, the company announced Monday.
Shetty was Netflix’s first India hire based in Los Angeles and served as director – international originals and acquisitions beginning in 2016. At Netflix, Shetty built the company’s catalog and original slate. Shetty also secured a global deal with Shahrukh Khan’s Red Chillies with a slate of original films including “Love Per Square Foot” and “Lust Stories.” She also worked on series such as “Sacred Games.”
“Swati will oversee international opportunities for global content and collaborate with our new divisions including Documentaries, Kids and Family, and Marginal Media as well as with Film and TV,” Michael Rosenberg, co-chair of Imagine Entertainment, said in a statement. “This role furthers our growth and expansion strategy, allowing us to compete in a global marketplace.”
“When we met Swati we immediately connected to her passion and storytelling instincts. Her track record has proven her to be an executive who balances both the creative and business aspects of the industry. We are excited to have her join Imagine,” Grazer and Howard said in a statement.
“I’m excited and grateful for this opportunity to work with Brian, Ron, Michael, and the fantastic team at Imagine. With a growing appetite for unique content rooted in diverse cultures from around the world, I believe it’s an incredible time for the business of storytelling,” Shetty said.
Prior to Netflix, Shetty produced the independent film “Umrika,” India’s first-ever Sundance winner, which took home the Audience Award in the 2015 World Cinema Dramatic Competition. Shetty’s experience includes key positions at Film Studios in India, heading local production at Disney, and serving as president of Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Motion Pictures.