ITV

Category: Media and Advertising

  • KathaVersse Media Network appoints Ravi Luthria as Chief Revenue Officer

    KathaVersse Media Network appoints Ravi Luthria as Chief Revenue Officer

    KathaVersse, the content IP company on a mission to build a “Marvel for Bharat”, has appointed Ravi Luthria as its Chief Revenue Officer.

    An IIM Lucknow alum and former Head of Videos at Pocket FM–US, Ravi is a seasoned strategic and entrepreneurial leader with over 20 years of cross-industry experience spanning content, FMCG, marketing, and content-tech. He has successfully led multi-crore P&L mandates, scaled content businesses, and built high-performance teams in India, the U.S., and beyond.

    With deep expertise in branded content IPs, IP monetization and scaling, and emerging technologies such as Generative AI, Ravi is known for combining big-picture vision with disciplined execution. 
    In his new role, Ravi will drive KathaVersse’s revenue engine, monetize Digital Commentary — the company’s flagship non-fiction platform with a 1.1M+ community and 120M+ monthly views — and lead its services division KVGYAPAAN. 

    Positioned as a Video-as-a-Service (VaaS) brand, KVGYAPAAN delivers high-impact, platform-optimized video campaigns for brands, social media content creation and strategy for brands including the high quality Micro Dramas for Micro Drama OTT’s and more. 

    With an ambition to become one of India’s largest IP companies, Ravi’s focus will be on integrating IPs with advertiser partnerships in innovative, ROI-driven ways — addressing a market where Indian youth now spend 3.5–4 hours daily consuming video content.

    “What impressed me most about KathaVersse is the absolute clarity and scale of their IP ambition. The founding team is already well on their way to making this vision a reality,” said Ravi.

    Aakash Kumar, CEO of KathaVersse, added: “Ravi is one of the most important additions to our core team — a game-changer for IP monetization and scaling. His content business expertise makes him the perfect fit for our next growth phase, as we gear up to launch 10+ universe- and format-driven long-form IPs over the next 15 months.”

    For partnerships and brand enquiries: connect with Ravi Luthria on LinkedIn. 
     

  • HT Media cashes in as Swapnil Ravindran takes charge of South revenues

    HT Media cashes in as Swapnil Ravindran takes charge of South revenues

    MUMBAI : HT Media Group has found its new rainmaker in the South. Swapnil Ravindran has been appointed chief revenue officer (CRO) for South, a role that will see him drive growth across Hindustan Times, Hindustan Hindi, and Mint. Ravindran, who took charge in August 2025, brings a two-decade career spanning Yahoo, Inmobi, The Times of India, and Kasturi & Sons, with a strong record of scaling revenue engines across print and digital. At HT, his mandate is clear: accelerate revenue growth, deepen advertiser relationships, and integrate strategy across platforms to bolster the One HT narrative in southern India.

    It’s a homecoming of sorts. Ravindran spent a decade at HT Media (2005–2015), rising from deputy manager to general manager. Since then, he has helmed sales at Yahoo, led national digital and print mandates at The Hindu Group, and spearheaded e-business and branch verticals at The Times of India. Most recently, he was associate vice president and response head at Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd. (Nov 2024–Aug 2025) and before that, director of sales (West & South) at Inmobi.

    Over the years, he has managed marquee brands, sharpened sales strategies, and built high-performance teams skills now directed at expanding HT Media’s footprint in one of India’s most competitive regions.

    Armed with a PGDBA in Marketing from VIT (1999) and nearly 20 years of leadership across advertising sales, business strategy, and digital transformation, Ravindran is expected to play a pivotal role in powering HT Media’s South operations to new heights.

    From Yahoo to Hindustan Times and back again, his journey is a story of full-circle ambition only this time, the brief is bigger, bolder, and distinctly southern.

  • Oneindia cashes in with Anand Sreenivasan as monetisation head

    Oneindia cashes in with Anand Sreenivasan as monetisation head

    MUMBAI: Oneindia is betting big on fresh leadership to fuel its next growth spurt. The digital news platform has roped in Anand Sreenivasan as its national head of monetisation and special projects, tasking him with steering revenue growth and bolstering advertiser partnerships across the country. For Sreenivasan, the mandate is expansive: drive sales strategy, client engagement, and revenue delivery across Oneindia’s bouquet of offerings, including digital, video, branded content, and strategic solutions. He will also be responsible for nurturing regional sales teams and connecting brands to millions of users in multiple Indian languages through campaigns that are not only data-driven but culturally resonant.

    The timing is crucial. India’s digital story is increasingly being written in vernacular tongues, and Oneindia already a strong player in multilingual media, is positioning itself to lead that charge. With over 20 years of experience, Sreenivasan brings the kind of firepower the company needs to capitalise on this moment.

    He most recently served as national head of branded content at Republic World until 2022, after stints at Quint Digital, AETN Media, and 9X Media.

    Explaining the move Oneindia CEO Ravanan N said: “In my first conversation with Anand Sreenivasan, I saw a leader who not only understands the market but also sees where it’s headed. His track record in building revenue engines and forging deep client relationships makes him invaluable as we strengthen our leadership in the multilingual digital space.”

    Sreenivasan himself is bullish on the challenge: “India’s digital growth story is being written in multiple languages, and Oneindia is at the forefront of that transformation. My goal is to unlock the full commercial potential of our reach and deliver campaigns that don’t just advertise, but truly resonate with audiences across every region and culture.”

    With 1,000-plus advertisers already on its roster and a growing user base across Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, and more, Oneindia is looking to Sreenivasan’s vision and experience to cash in on the multilingual boom and deepen its footprint in the country’s diverse digital landscape.
     

  • BBH beefs up brainpower with new EVPs and creative leadership boosts

    BBH beefs up brainpower with new EVPs and creative leadership boosts

    MUMBAI: BBH India is turning up the creative volume and the leadership dial. The Publicis Groupe agency has strengthened its senior bench with the appointment of Delon Mascarenhas and Mitushi Sharma as executive vice presidents, while also elevating Ashwin Palkar and Nisheeth Srivastava to senior executive creative directors.

    The shake-up comes as BBH India enjoys a hot streak: fresh business wins, deeper partnerships, and international recognition, including a Bronze Lion at Cannes Lions 2025 for its cheeky “Bassi Vs Garnier Men’s Facewash” campaign. It also bagged the No. 3 spot in India on the MMA Smarties Business Impact Index 2024 underlining its momentum.

    Mascarenhas, who re-joins BBH, brings more than 25 years of experience spanning brand strategy, content, and digital marketing. His career highlights include senior stints at DDB Mudra Group, Edelman India, Havas Life, and Tring, working with marquee brands like McDonald’s, HUL, Red Bull, Meesho, Dream11, and Abbott.

    Sharma comes in with over 23 years of advertising chops, most recently at FCB Interface, and a portfolio covering categories from FMCG to pharma. She has shaped strategies for global and Indian heavyweights including Nivea, Whirlpool, Mahindra, Torrent Pharma, and has played a pivotal role in managing Unilever brands such as Lakme, Domex, and Ayush.

    Ashwin Palkar and Nisheeth Srivastava’s elevation signals BBH’s push for creative firepower and talent development. Both will continue reporting to chief creative officer Parikshit Bhattacharya.

    Commenting on the appointments BBH India MD and COO Himanshu Saxena said: “With Delon and Mitushi, we’re doubling down on our belief in creativity that delivers full-funnel marketing effectiveness. This leadership is built to take us into the next growth phase.”

    For Mascarenhas, it’s a homecoming: “I’m excited to re-join BBH India at this pivotal moment. With a strong team and bold vision, the opportunity to shape brands in today’s evolving landscape is immense.”

    Sharma echoed the sentiment: “BBH has always stood out for blending cultural insight, creativity, and strategy. With technology changing consumer mindsets, I look forward to pushing boundaries and fuelling exponential growth.”

    With 2025 already stacked with wins, fresh leadership firepower could ensure BBH India continues to punch above its weight in the global creative ring.
     

  • Game for exports Winzo, SEPC join hands to power Made in India gaming

    Game for exports Winzo, SEPC join hands to power Made in India gaming

    MUMBAI: India’s gaming industry just scored a big power-up. The Services Export Promotion Council (SEPC) and Winzo, the country’s largest social gaming platform, have inked a three-year MoU to catapult “Made in India” games onto the global stage.

    With India already accounting for 20 per cent of the world’s gaming user base and 15.1 per cent of all global app downloads, the partnership is designed to strengthen India’s claim on the 300 billion dollars global gaming market. The sector, which attracted USD 3 billion in FDI over the last five years, is home to 1,888 gaming startups and is projected to grow from 3.7 billion dollars in 2024 to USD 9.1 billion dollars by 2029, clocking a 19.6 per cent CAGR.

    As part of the tie-up, Winzo will showcase Indian developers and their IP at Gamescom, Germany, this month Europe’s largest gaming expo before taking them to other global events. The initiative aims to connect Indian talent with publishers, investors, and industry leaders, opening fresh avenues for international collaboration.

    The MoU also promises to address persistent ecosystem hurdles like startup incubation, funding, monetisation, and talent development, while scaling Winzo’s Bharat Tech Triumph programme, which has previously spotlighted Indian developers at GDC, Gamescom LATAM, and Startup Mahakumbh.

    A cornerstone of the alliance is Winzo’s Global Centre of Excellence (GCoE), set up with DPIIT, to champion Indian gaming IP worldwide. The focus: protecting IP, attracting more FDI, and building a skilling pipeline for developers, influencers, innovators, and students fuelling India’s creator economy and new-age jobs.

    “This initiative will have a profound impact on game developers, empowering them with new opportunities and a global platform,” said SEPC Chairman Karan Rathore. Winzo co-founder Saumya Singh Rathore added, “The socio-economic potential of online gaming can create multifold opportunities for skilling, jobs, and IP exports, supporting India’s journey to a 5 trillion dollars economy.”

    With prime minister Modi’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision as backdrop, this first-of-its-kind national-level collaboration seeks nothing less than securing India’s rightful 20 per cent share of the global gaming industry matching its user strength with export muscle.
     

  • EGF levels up comms game with Gaurav Shangari as policy outreach lead

    EGF levels up comms game with Gaurav Shangari as policy outreach lead

    MUMBAI: In India’s fast-evolving gaming arena, the E-Gaming Federation (EGF) has just played a power move appointing Gaurav Shangari as its new director of policy Communication & Outreach. A seasoned communications strategist with over 15 years’ experience, Shangari steps into the role to spearhead EGF’s policy messaging, media relations, and ecosystem outreach at a time when the online skill gaming industry is battling regulatory headwinds while chasing explosive growth.

    Previously a Avian We group business director at Shangari led ESG, sustainability, and policy communication for big names like Pepsico India, Wadhwani Foundation, Godrej Enterprises group, and The Convergence Foundation.

    “With Gaurav, we’re strengthening our ability to shape a forward-looking narrative for gaming and engage more deeply with policymakers, media, and civil society,” said EGF CEO Anuraag Saxena. “His track record in driving impactful campaigns will be pivotal in advancing our mission of integrity and innovation in gaming.”

    For Shangari, this is more than a corporate posting, it’s personal. “This is a landmark era for India’s gaming landscape,” he said. “As both a gamer and a communications practitioner, I look forward to shaping gaming’s role as a driver of India’s digital economy, powered by creativity and skill.”

    Backed by Shangari’s storytelling playbook, EGF is doubling down on its quest to create a safe, trusted, and well-regulated online gaming ecosystem. And if the industry is gearing up for its next big leap, the Federation clearly wants the narrative to sound as sharp as the gameplay.
     

  • Mindshare veteran Sonal Jadhav moves to lead Havas Media’s western operations

    Mindshare veteran Sonal Jadhav moves to lead Havas Media’s western operations

    MUMBAI: Sonal Jadhav has traded her corner office at Mindshare for the top job at Havas Media Network India, where she will serve as managing partner and west lead. The appointment marks a significant coup for Havas, which has poached one of the industry’s most seasoned media hands.

    Jadhav spent three years and seven months as principal partner at Mindshare, the GroupM-owned agency, before making the switch this month. Her departure represents a notable loss for Mindshare, where she had deep roots stretching back over a decade.

    The Mumbai-based executive brings formidable credentials to her new role. She cut her teeth during a marathon 10-year stint at Mindshare, rising through the ranks from client lead to senior cluster lead. In her most recent role there, she managed a portfolio of blue-chip accounts including Kellogg’s, ICICI, Rio Tinto and Onida, with full profit-and-loss responsibility.

    Her earlier Mindshare tenure was particularly notable for her stewardship of the Hindustan Unilever skincare portfolio, where she crafted media strategies for the conglomerate’s beauty brands from 2006 to 2013. The assignment cemented her reputation as a strategic thinker with a knack for marrying brand-building with performance metrics.

    Between her two Mindshare chapters, adhav spent four years as general manager at Wavemaker, another GroupM stable-mate, focusing on FMCG clients and honing her expertise across traditional and digital media channels.

    Her career began in print advertising, with early roles at Hindustan Times and Indian Express, where she learned the fundamentals of media sales and revenue optimisation.

    The appointment signals Havas Media’s ambitions to strengthen its presence in India’s fiercely competitive media landscape, where agencies are battling for a larger share of the country’s advertising spend. Ms Jadhav’s deep FMCG experience and client relationships make her a natural fit for a market where consumer goods companies remain among the biggest advertisers.

    At 15-plus years in the business, she represents the kind of seasoned leadership that agencies increasingly prize as they navigate the complexities of digital transformation and attribution-based media buying.

  • Jack in the Box Worldwide and Tidal7 merge to form J7

    Jack in the Box Worldwide and Tidal7 merge to form J7

    MUMBAI:  Independent agencies Jack in the Box Worldwide and Tidal7 have sealed a merger, creating a new entity called J7 that aspires to be a “future-ready” marketing powerhouse. The combined agency will pool strengths in creative storytelling, branding, data intelligence and technology-led marketing to deliver integrated solutions for clients in India and beyond.

    Jack in the Box Worldwide, founded by Roopak Saluja, has built its reputation on social media campaigns, design and consumer research. Tidal7, launched by Venkat Mallik, carved out its niche with data-driven branding, digital analytics and multi-channel creative services. Together, the two outfits aim to position J7 as a partner that can blend cultural insight with measurable business outcomes.

    “This is a major inflection point in Jack in the Box Worldwide’s trajectory,” said Saluja, who will continue as founder and chairman. “By joining forces with Tidal7, we are enhancing our culture of creativity with world-class data intelligence and strategic depth. J7 is not just a new name — it is a manifestation of our shared commitment to solving our clients’ most complex challenges.”

    Mallik, who becomes J7’s founder and chief executive, underlined the agency’s growth ambitions: “We have always believed that the most powerful marketing solutions emerge when brand thinking, creativity and data intelligence work hand-in-hand. With J7, that belief takes on a new dimension. The aim is not just to create campaigns but to build growth ecosystems for clients, empower teams with advanced tools and lead in an AI-driven future.”

    J7 will place particular emphasis on AI-led innovation, new media formats and tech-integrated tools. Plans are under way to expand service offerings, develop industry-specific solutions and pursue growth both within India and overseas.

    Team J7

    The leadership bench will include Farhatnaz Ansari as managing partner, Sivaram Subramaniam as executive creative director and Vikram Srivastava as director of data and strategy. Both agencies’ existing clients will continue to be served without disruption, now aligned under the J7 vision.

    By marrying Jack in the Box Worldwide’s creative flair with Tidal7’s analytical rigour, J7 is betting that the next era of advertising belongs to agencies that can move as fast as technology — and as imaginatively as culture.

  • Mumbai’s gig economy: concerts spark hotel booking boom

    Mumbai’s gig economy: concerts spark hotel booking boom

    MUMBAI: The maximum city is fast tuning into a global music hub, with concert announcements triggering an expected fallout: a surge in hotel interest. Data from Agoda show that between February and July 2025, domestic searches for stays in the city during big-ticket shows soared compared with two weeks earlier.

    Travis Scott’s Circus Maximus Tour stop on 19 November fuelled a 110 per cent spike, Enrique Iglesias’ October double-header drove a 160 per cent rise, and Akon’s 16 November gig saw a 20 per cent lift.

    This momentum follows January’s Coldplay bonanza, which sent searches rocketing 3,300 times higher than the week before tickets went on sale.

    “Mumbai’s live music calendar is more diverse than ever, attracting fans from across the country to experience global artists in world-class venues,” said Agoda country director for the Indian subcontinent and Indian Ocean islands Gaurav Malik.

    As more global names plug Mumbai into their tour schedules, the city’s rhythm is resonating well beyond its borders—creating fresh opportunities for hotels, venues and local businesses.

  • Roshan Salian joins Magnon Group as associate vice president – key accounts

    Roshan Salian joins Magnon Group as associate vice president – key accounts

    MUMBAI: Roshan Salian has been appointed associate vice president – key accounts at Magnon group, marking the latest step in a 15-year career in digital marketing.

    Salian, who has previously held leadership roles at Social Panga, Ogilvy, Schbang, Tonic Media and Gozoop, is known for crafting customer-first campaigns and building collaborative partnerships with digital-first brands.
    At Social Panga, he spent over three years as group head – brand solutions, overseeing client relations, creative strategy and integrated marketing. Earlier stints include account director at Ogilvy and group solutions manager at Schbang.

    With his new mandate, Salian is expected to drive strategic growth for key accounts at Magnon group, leveraging his expertise in campaign strategy, operations and brand development.