The policy text announced WAVES 2025, an event aiming to facilitate global dialogue on storytelling across media platforms, including streaming, cinema, and literature. The summit highlights the integration of technology in story delivery, featuring keynote speakers in diverse fields such as journalism, film direction, corporate development, global entertainment strategy, publishing, and broadcasting management from leading international organizations like National Geographic Society, Walt Disney Company, Amazon Prime Video, BBC Studios Asia, and Indian film director Rajkumar Hirani. The discussion emphasized the transformative power of storytelling across cultures and its impact on perceptions, connecting people worldwide, with insights provided by experts focusing on strategic storytelling techniques to engage global audiences effectively while maintaining authenticity and quality content that aligns with their missions or platforms' financial success criteria.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Information Broadcasting: A governmental department responsible for information dissemination and broadcasting in the policy document.
WAVES 2025: An initiative that orchestrates a dialogue on the future of storytelling, encompassing streaming, cinema, and literature sectors. It initiates a Summit featuring panel discussions on stories that resonate globally.
Kaitlin Yarnall (Chief Storytelling Officer at National Geographic): An industry leader who guides strategic visions tied to science, nature, exploration, and visual storytelling within the National Geographic Society.
Justin Warbrooke (EVP and Head of Corporate Development at The Walt Disney Company): A senior executive emphasizing India's potential as a media and entertainment market with a focus on cultural bridge-building through Disney collaborations.
Kelly Day (Vice President of International at Amazon Prime Video): Leading global expansion strategies for Amazon Prime Video, shaping content that resonates globally across continents.
Phil Hardman (Executive Vice President General Manager of BBC Studios Asia): Managing the delivery of premium British content tailored to Asian audiences with a commitment to quality and meaningful storytelling in pursuit of BBC's core mission.
Rajkumar Hirani (one of India's most celebrated film directors): Renowned for creating emotionally impactful films that resonate both within India and across international boundaries, showcasing the director's insight into filmmaking and storytelling.
Amish Tripathi (bestselling author and diplomat): A storyteller who combines mythological narratives with cultural depth in his works and actively guides panel discussions by bridging diverse perspectives on global story impact while leveraging AI to enhance creativity.
PIB TEAM WAVES 2025: The team responsible for the planning, coordination, and execution of the WAVES 2025 initiatives, including the Summit, focusing on advancing storytelling dialogues across global media platforms.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
“Stories that touch hearts Around the World" –
WAVES 2025 propels a global Dialogue on the
Future of Storytelling
Streaming, Cinema and Literature intersect at
WAVES 2025
Posted On: 02 MAY 2025 7:40PM by PIB Mumbai
Mumbai, 2 May 2025
The second day of the maiden WAVES 2025 Summit featured an exceptional lineup of speakers in the Panel
discussion on “Stories that touch hearts around the World": Kaitlin Yarnall, Chief Storytelling Officer at National
Geographic Society; Justin Warbrooke, EVP and Head of Corporate Development at The Walt Disney Company;
Kelly Day, Vice President of International at Amazon Prime Video; Phil Hardman, Executive Vice President &
General Manager of BBC Studios Asia; Rajkumar Hirani, one of India’s most celebrated film directors; and
Amish Tripathi, bestselling author and diplomat, serving as the moderator.
This session brought together visionary leaders and master storytellers from across the global media,
entertainment, and literary landscapes to explore the transformative power of storytelling. From streaming
platforms and broadcasting giants to cinema and literature, the panelists shared insights into how compelling
narratives can transcend borders, shape cultures, and connect people worldwide. The discussion highlighted the
strategic, creative, and emotional forces that drive global storytelling and its profound impact on perceptions,
cultures, and social change.Kaitlin Yarnall (National Geographic) leads the strategic vision for creating powerful narratives that intertwine
science, exploration, and visual storytelling to engage audiences worldwide. In the discussion, she emphasized
the importance of authenticity and excellence in storytelling, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities
involved in crafting content that truly resonates.
Justin Warbrooke (Walt Disney) highlighted the Indian market as a top priority describing it as the world’s most
populous and one of the fastest-growing media and entertainment markets. He also spoke about Disney's
collaborations with Indian companies, emphasizing how such partnerships are helping to bridge cultures and bring
global audiences closer together through storytelling.
Kelly Day (Amazon Prime Video) oversees global expansion and content strategy, working to bring diverse and
locally resonant stories to audiences across continents. When asked how the platform determines which stories
succeed financially in domestic and international markets, she clarified that there’s no set algorithm—success is
rooted in strong storytelling, understanding local audiences, and choosing the right formats and genres.
Phil Hardman (BBC Studio, Asia) leads the delivery of premium British content tailored for Asian audiences. He
spoke about the enduring power of quality content, emphasizing the BBC’s core mission to educate and inform.
He noted that their focus remains firmly on finding and sharing meaningful stories that align with that mission.
Rajkumar Hirani, one of India’s most acclaimed film directors, Rajkumar Hirani is known for creating emotionally
powerful and socially impactful films that resonate with audiences both in India and around the world. In the
discussion, he highlighted that storytelling is inherently subjective—what resonates varies from person to person.
He also shared his optimism about the potential of AI, calling it a valuable tool for filmmakers to enhance creativity
and storytelling.
Amish Tripathi, bestselling author and diplomat brings a unique fusion of mythological narrative and cultural
depth to his storytelling. As moderator, he expertly guided the panel discussion, bridging diverse perspectives and
emphasizing the universal power of stories to connect people across borders.
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PIB TEAM WAVES 2025 | Rajith/ Darshana | 151
(Release ID: 2126300)