STARZPLAY appoints SVP Strategy & Corporate Development to evaluate strategic growth opportunities

Doha-Qatar: STARZPLAY, the region’s leading subscription video on demand (SVOD) service, has announced the appointment of expert financial strategist Alessandro Masaro as Senior Vice President Strategy & Corporate Development. He will be responsible for evaluating financial opportunities for the company, including equity raise, debt financing and mergers and acquisitions, to enhance the financial value proposition of STARZPLAY. He will also develop and oversee the execution of strategic plans to ensure STARZPLAY will expand its position as region’s leading SVOD platform.

Until recently a Board Member of STARZPLAY, Masaro has a strong understanding of the company’s financial and corporate strengths and will leverage his experience in financial management and investment planning to further raise the corporate profile of the organisation.

Maaz Sheikh, Co-Founder and CEO of STARZPLAY, said: “With the robust increase in subscriber base and our ongoing geographic expansion, we are defining a new era of strategic growth this year. As we look to expand our footprint, launch new products, and tap new audiences, it is important to leverage strategic alliances and strengthen our corporate profile. Alessandro Masaro has in-depth industry expertise that will position STARZPLAY as a financially strong, high-growth company.”

Masaro added: “I’m excited to join the team during this incredible time in the evolution of STARZPLAY and the overall VOD industry in the region. We are at an inflection point as we see numerous opportunities ahead of us. There is significant potential to be unlocked by STARZPLAY and our new strategic growth plans will help create long-term value for all its stakeholders.”

Previously, Masaro was a Principal at Delta Partners Capital, an early-stage and growth capital fund based in Dubai with investments in several fast-growing markets. He has led nearly 30 high-profile tech deals and managed a portfolio valued at over US$100 million. His experience also includes advising governments, telcos and media companies in the Middle East and Africa on strategies for digital transformation, strategy development and mergers & acquisitions.

Masaro also served as Board Director of Cash Credit, a data-driven lending technology platform operating in Eastern Europe and South-East Asia, and Virgin Mobile Polska, a digital MVNO in Poland, which got acquired by Play. Masaro has a MSc in Corporate Finance from Bocconi university (Italy) and University of North Carolina (USA), and has lived in Italy, South Africa, and USA before moving to the UAE.

STARZPLAY was the first entity to secure a licence in the UAE in the SVOD sector and has achieved significant year-on-year growth. STARZPLAY’s success is also driven by its valuable relationships with leading regional telcos offering subscription via prepaid and post-paid mobile. STARZPLAY aims to expand its successful model to emerging markets, including Sub-Saharan and Francophone Africa.

With thousands of hours of premium content including blockbuster movies, exclusive TV shows, kids content and Arabic series, STARZPLAY is available in 20 countries across the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan for fans to enjoy quality content anytime, anywhere and from any device.

© Press Release 2021