ITV

Category: People

  • NDTV India gets its Suhail signal as prime-time champ joins the network

    NDTV India gets its Suhail signal as prime-time champ joins the network

    MUMBAI: The 9 pm battlefield has a new warrior, and he’s carrying numbers sharper than any sword. Syed Suhail, Hindi television’s undisputed prime-time champion for over 100 weeks, has joined NDTV India as senior executive editor and prime-time anchor. In a fiercely fought time band where star anchors jostle for dominance, Suhail carved his legacy with sheer consistency and clarity. His previous show not only ruled the 9 pm slot week after week but also became Hindi prime time’s most-watched broadcast, drawing nearly 19 million viewers on average. Even more telling audiences stuck with him longer than with any other face on screen at that hour, turning his dominance into a ritual for three straight years.

    Suhail’s rise is no overnight story. From his early days at Jain TV and a regional channel where he learnt humility, to P7 News and News Nation where he sharpened his storytelling, each stop added grit and finesse. At News24, he mastered viewer connect, and by the time he reached Republic Bharat, he had rewritten the rules of the 9 pm battleground. His 100-day trek across 45 districts of Uttar Pradesh meeting everyone from ministers to security guards and children in orphanages cemented his India-first philosophy of journalism.

    What separates him from the pack is not just ratings. Suhail personally reviews every show, swears by the power of visuals, and insists the story itself should be the star. For him, journalism is less about noise and more about keeping the ordinary citizen at the centre while putting the nation’s interests above all.

    On his move to NDTV India, Suhail said, “From the start of my career, I have admired NDTV for its credibility and ‘viewer-first’ approach. To be part of this network is not just a professional honour, it is a responsibility to remain true to the common man and to tell their stories simply, honestly, and with commitment.”

    Welcoming him, NDTV CEO & editor-in-chief Rahul Kanwal, said: “Suhail is one of Hindi television’s most trusted prime-time voices. He brings not just ratings leadership but also credibility and an instinctive connection with viewers. We are delighted to welcome him to NDTV India as we strengthen our promise of meaningful, people-first journalism for a new India.”

    For viewers, the message is clear: at 9 pm, Suhail will now set the tone for NDTV India. For rivals, the battle just got that much harder.

  • Miracle PR gets a makeover as it marks five years with fresh identity

    Miracle PR gets a makeover as it marks five years with fresh identity

    MUMBAI: Reputation, it seems, now comes with a refresh. Miracle Public Relation, the Indore-headquartered regional PR agency, has celebrated its five-year milestone by rolling out a brand-new logo, a redesigned website, and an identity that mirrors its evolution beyond traditional press releases. Founded in 2019, Miracle PR has grown from a small-city outfit into a pan-India network of associates, managing clients across CSR, health, retail, and hospitality. The agency’s portfolio now stretches well past conventional media outreach, with influencer marketing and media monitoring rounding out its offering.

    “This transformation marks a defining moment in our journey,” said Miracle PR founder Akbar Ali. “Our new identity reflects our evolution into a broader role combining PR, digital outreach, and other media solutions into a seamless whole.”

    The rebrand also signals how far PR itself has come. Miracle PR PR lead Gaurav Jain, at the agen summed it up: “Gone are the days when PR was all about just sending the news to the media. The future is dynamic, and we’re positioned to lead this transition with agility and strategic impact.”

    From a standing start in Indore to a client base that spans industries and geographies, Miracle PR’s fifth-year milestone isn’t just about a new logo. It’s about keeping pace with a communications industry that’s evolving at lightning speed  and making sure its clients shine just as brightly.

  • Advertising veteran Srinivasan Swamy returns for fourth stint as industry chief

    Advertising veteran Srinivasan Swamy returns for fourth stint as industry chief

    MUMBAI: India’s advertising industry loves a comeback story—and Srinivasan K Swamy is giving it one. The executive group chairman of R K Swamy has been elected president of the Advertising Agencies Association of India for 2025-26, marking his fourth term in the role after an 18-year hiatus.

    Swamy, also known as Sundar Swamy, previously ran the 80-year-old trade body from 2004 to 2007, when India’s advertising market was a fraction of its current size. His return suggests the industry wants experienced hands to navigate an increasingly complex landscape of digital disruption, regulatory scrutiny and changing consumer behaviour.

    “I am deeply humbled that this marks my fourth term in this role,” said Swamy, whose lengthy CV reads like a who’s who of industry bodies. He has chaired everything from the International Advertising Association to the Audit Bureau of Circulation, earning a lifetime achievement award from AAAI along the way.

    Jaideep Gandhi was elected vice-president, while the 15-member board includes heavyweights from agencies spanning Leo Burnett to Grey Worldwide. The roster reflects the fragmented nature of India’s advertising market, where global networks jostle with homegrown shops for a slice of the action.

    Outgoing president Prasanth Kumar, who served three years during the turbulent post-pandemic period, handed over the reins with typical corporate grace. “I am confident that, with his vast experience and vision, he will steer AAAI to even greater achievements,” he said.

    Whether Swamy can repeat his earlier success remains to be seen. The advertising world he inherits is vastly different from the one he left in 2007—social media has upended traditional media planning, privacy regulations are reshaping data collection, and artificial intelligence threatens to automate creative work.

    Still, at an age when most executives are eyeing retirement, Swamy clearly believes there’s more work to be done. For an industry built on selling dreams, that kind of optimism is probably just what the doctor ordered.

    Other elected members of the Board in alphabetical order and the companies they represent on AAAI are: 
    * Anupriya Acharya,  Leo Burnett (TLG India Pvt Ltd) 
    * Sam Balsara, Madison Communications Pvt Ltd 
    * Tanya Goyal, Everest Brand Solutions Pvt Ltd 
    * Tapas Gupta, BEI Confluence Communication Ltd. 
    * Vishandas Hardasani, Matrix Publicities and Media India Pvt Ltd 
    * Mohit Joshi, Havas Media India Pvt Ltd 
    * Santosh Kumar, Innocean Worldwide Communication Pvt Ltd 
    * Kunal Lalani, Crayons Advertising Ltd 
    * Chandramouli Muthu, Maitri Advertising Works Pvt Ltd  
    * Vikram Sakhuja, Platinum Advertising Pvt Ltd 
    * Kartik Sharma,  Omnicom Media Group India Pvt Ltd 
    * Anusha ShettY,  Grey Worldwide (India) Pvt Ltd 
    * Shashi Sinha, Initiative Media (India) Pvt Ltd 
    * K Srinivas, Sloka Advertising Pvt Ltd  
    * Paritosh Srivastava, Law & Kenneth Saatchi & Saatchi Pvt Ltd 

  • Hansgrohe taps Abdulkader Bengali to make a splash in India growth plans

    Hansgrohe taps Abdulkader Bengali to make a splash in India growth plans

    MUMBAI: Hansgrohe is turning on the growth taps in India and Abdulkader Bengali is the man holding the handle. The premium German bathroom and kitchen solutions giant has appointed Bengali as managing director for India operations, effective 18 August 2025, signalling a fresh push in one of the world’s fastest-growing bath fittings markets.

    Bengali brings over 26 years of leadership experience across construction and building materials, with a flair for business turnarounds. At Sintex BAPL, he spearheaded the Water Management Solutions division, while at ALP Aeroflex he engineered a full-fledged transformation as COO. His earlier stint leading Owens Corning’s India and SAARC operations adds global heft. A gold medallist engineer from NIT Surat and an Executive MBA from SP Jain, Bengali has built a career turning underperformers into high-growth stories.

    The timing is no accident. India’s bath fittings market is pegged at 11.49 billion dollars in 2025, and set to surge to 16.67 billion dollars by 2030 at a 7.74 per cent CAGR. The luxury segment alone, worth 5.27 billion dollars in 2024, is forecast to nearly double to 10.93 billion dollars by 2032 with a robust 9.5 per cent CAGR. Hansgrohe, founded in 1901 in Germany and now present in over 190 countries, sees India as a key strategic play.

    “Bengali’s track record in transforming businesses makes him the ideal leader,” said Hansgrohe Group vice president Asia Thomas Stopper. With expertise in P&L management, sales excellence, and operational optimisation, Bengali is expected to scale Hansgrohe’s Indian footprint, bringing its famed Black Forest design and sustainable water technologies to a wider base of consumers.

    From Black Forest to Bengaluru, Hansgrohe’s bet is clear: India’s rising disposable incomes and urban aspirations make it the perfect market to flow into the future.
     

  • Vertices seals the deal as trio of lawyers rise to equity partner ranks

    Vertices seals the deal as trio of lawyers rise to equity partner ranks

    MUMBAI: It’s a case of promotion in progress at Vertices Partners, where three of the firm’s brightest legal minds have argued their way to the top. Vishal Mehta, Vikrant Anand and Rajat Agarwal have been elevated to Equity Partners, marking a milestone in the new-age, full-service law firm’s growth story across Mumbai, Gurugram and Bengaluru.

    For Vishal Mehta, the first associate ever hired at Vertices, the rise caps a journey that’s seen him steer top-tier transactions and showcase steadfast leadership. Vikrant Anand has built his reputation managing domestic and cross-border deals, while also leading the NCR office and driving client delivery with aplomb. Meanwhile, Rajat Agarwal anchors the firm’s Dispute Resolution and Banking & Finance practices, heads forensics and investigations, and has earned recognition as Vertices’ go-to litigator by the Legal500 directory.

    Vertices Partners founder and managing partner Vinayak Burman called the trio’s elevation “truly rewarding,” praising their blend of legal excellence, leadership and deep understanding of client needs. And the promotions don’t stop there. Vertices also confirmed the elevation of six associates across its NCR and Mumbai offices, underlining its people-first philosophy and clear career progression pathways.

    With these moves, Vertices isn’t just expanding its partnership ranks, it’s making a statement: the firm’s courtroom victories are matched by wins in culture, loyalty and long-term vision.
     

  • Jasdeep Singh takes over as group CEO of Sparsh Hospitals

    Jasdeep Singh takes over as group CEO of Sparsh Hospitals

    MUMBAI: Sparsh Group of Hospitals announced the appointment of Jasdeep Singh as its Group Chief Executive Officer. A distinguished healthcare business leader with over 25 years of cross-functional experience, Jasdeep Singh brings to SPARSH a powerful vision rooted in patient-centric care, operational excellence, and transformative leadership.

    Jasdeep Singh joins Sparsh from Care Hospitals, where he served as the group CEO of Quality Care India Limited. His leadership philosophy is centered around building people-first institutions that prioritize clinical quality, patient satisfaction, and sustainable growth.

    Speaking on his new role, Sparsh Hospitals group CEO Jasdeep Singh said, “Healthcare should not be seen just as a business; it should be a commitment to healing and human dignity. My vision is to strengthen patient experience, elevate standards of care, and integrate technology in ways that make recovery and healing truly seamless. When a patient leaves SPARSH Hospitals, they should walk away not just healed, but with an assurance and comfort that SPARSH will stand by them for life. That’s the benchmark we’re setting.”

    “SPARSH Hospitals have set benchmarks with expertise, experience, and advanced technologies. The strength of any hospital lies in its people. Our doctors bring unparalleled skill and dedication to every case, ensuring that patients receive world-class medical care. Equally, our nurses, technicians, and support staff form the backbone of patient experience — their compassion, efficiency, and commitment make all the difference. My goal is to foster a culture where every member of the SPARSH family feels valued, empowered, and inspired,” added Singh.

    Welcoming him to the Sparsh family, Sparsh Group of Hospitals chariman Dr. Sharan Shivaraj Patil said, “Jasdeep brings with him not just experience, but a sense of purpose that aligns with our mission—to make healthcare more precise, compassionate, accessible, and affordable. With nine hospitals in our network, SPARSH Group of Hospitals is redefining excellence in Indian healthcare by blending clinical innovation with accessibility. As we expand our footprint, including the upcoming launch of Sarjapur facility, his strategic leadership will be instrumental in taking SPARSH to the next level.”
     

  • 22feet Tribal WW strengthens leadership with appointment of Anvita Arora and Shyam Nair

    22feet Tribal WW strengthens leadership with appointment of Anvita Arora and Shyam Nair

    MUMBAI: 22feet Tribal Worldwide has announced the appointment of Anvita Arora as vice president & head of Mumbai and Shyam Nair as executive creative director. The announcement marks their return to the company after successful stints across top creative networks. Their journey at 22feet Tribal Worldwide comes full circle, now marked by broader perspective and a shared ambition to help shape the next phase of the agency’s growth.

    Anvita and Shyam bring a sharp blend of storytelling, strategic thinking, and brand-building expertise over a combined 3-decade career span. Anvita’s unique experience across digital, content, and strategy at Yahoo, Ogilvy, Supari Studios, Kulfi Collective, and most recently, Creativeland Asia is a big plus. With leadership roles at VML, Lowe, and Creativeland Asia, Shyam has led impactful campaigns for brands like Disney Star, Netflix, and Spotify.

    Commenting on the new leadership appointments, 22feet Tribal Worldwide president Vanaja Pillai said, “Over the past few years, we’ve seen strong growth and had the privilege of working with an ambitious set of brands that push us to raise the bar. Welcoming Anvita and Shyam again is not just about familiar faces returning; it’s about the energy, trust, and shared history they carry with them. Their return is a testament to the work we’re doing, the environment we’ve built, and the exciting road ahead for our clients and teams.”

    Speaking on her new role, Anvita said, “I’ve always had a soft spot for 22feet Tribal WW. The people are sharp, the culture is electric, and the work has always had teeth. My primary goal is straightforward: to grow the business, expand the brands, and build teams that thrive on ideas and collaboration. What sets 22feet apart is its guts. It’s one of the few agencies that has stayed proudly digital while still thinking like a brand builder. I plan to take that legacy and push it further, creating work that doesn’t just land but lingers, work that clients back and audiences actually feel.”

    “At 22feet Tribal WW, I believe we can do more than just making ads. We can craft stories that earn attention, move culture, and live beyond the brief. With the talent, the brands, and the drive to outdo ourselves, we can create work that’s built for the medium, not just the media plan. Because the best advertising doesn’t feel like advertising, it feels like something worth sharing,” added Shyam.

  • Times change again as Varun Kohli exits, Gopakumar takes interim charge

    Times change again as Varun Kohli exits, Gopakumar takes interim charge

    MUMBAI: Another shuffle at Times Network has set the industry buzzing. Varun Kohli, who joined as chief operating officer barely a year ago, has suddenly stepped down from the role. In the interim, Rohit Gopakumar, currently CEO of entertainment and digital business at The Times Group, has been handed charge of the broadcast business.

    The development comes against the backdrop of CEO M.K. Anand’s exit in July 2024, when he quit after more than a decade at Bennett, Coleman & Co. (BCCL). Kohli was brought in just a month earlier, in June 2024, to oversee the network’s revenue function across its television broadcast business.

    Kohli, a seasoned media professional, moved to Times Network from Bharat Express, where he spent a year and a half as director and CEO. Before that, he briefly helmed Sporty Media Solutionz as CEO and held senior stints at ITV Network (group CEO), Network18, HT Media, and Amar Ujala Prakashan.

    Meanwhile, Gopakumar isn’t new to the media house. He joined the group in August 2023 as CEO of Worldwide Media and was later elevated to lead entertainment and digital. His expanded remit now includes steering Times Network’s broadcast operations during a tricky phase for the industry.

    With two top exits in just over a year, Times Network finds itself once again at a leadership crossroads and all eyes will now be on how Gopakumar steadies the ship.

  • Fyno Appoints Ali Lightwalla as vice president – sales & partnerships

    Fyno Appoints Ali Lightwalla as vice president – sales & partnerships

    MUMBAI: Fyno announced the appointment of Ali Lightwalla as its Vice President.  In this new role, Ali will lead Fyno’s go-to-market strategy, expand its presence across the BFSI sector, and build long-term strategic alliances.

    Ali brings with him over 22 years of robust experience in sales leadership, strategic partnerships, and business development across the financial services and enterprise technology space. His extensive experience across emerging technologies and global enterprises gives him deep insights into the changing needs of large organizations, especially in the BFSI sector. With his partnership-driven mindset and strategic foresight, Ali is poised to significantly contribute to Fyno’s next phase of growth.

    Prior to joining Fyno, he was associated with Gupshup, where he played a key role in boosting customer engagement and driving platform adoption. Previously, as AGM – Digital Sales at IDEMIA, Ali spearheaded multiple successful digital transformation initiatives. His tenure at Broadcom as Account Director – BFSI further strengthened his expertise in enterprise technology sales. Ali drove impactful sales strategies for the banking sector as Area Director – Banking Sales (West & North India) at Oracle Financial Services Software. At Ernst & Young’s subsidiary C Centric, he enhanced CRM strategy and client engagement, reinforcing his customer-first approach.

    Fyno co-founder & CEO Aniketh Jain said, “Ali’s wealth of experience in enterprise technology and the BFSI sector makes him a valuable addition to our leadership team. His proven ability to drive strategic partnerships, deliver impactful go-to-market strategies, and foster customer success aligns perfectly with our vision of enabling enterprises to take complete control of their customer communication. I’m confident that Ali’s leadership will play a pivotal role in accelerating Fyno’s growth trajectory and expanding our market footprint.”

    Commenting on his appointment, Lightwalla said, “I’m excited to join Fyno at such a transformative stage in its journey. The company’s innovative approach to help regulated enterprises take control of their customer communication while staying fully compliant, combined with its strong focus on delivering value to enterprises, presents tremendous opportunities for growth. I look forward to working closely with the team to strengthen our BFSI presence, build lasting partnerships, and help customers unlock the full potential of their communication strategies.”

  • Sheela Foam appoints Rakesh Chahar as deputy managing director

    Sheela Foam appoints Rakesh Chahar as deputy managing director

    MUMBAI: Sheela Foam Ltd, a market leader in comfort and sleeping solutions in India, has appointed Rakesh Chahar as deputy managing director (Whole-time Director) with immediate effect. The appointment was announced at the Board of Directors’ meeting pursuant to the recommendation of the Nomination & Remuneration Committee. Mr. Chahar has more than three decades of robust institutional experience and leadership at Sheela Foam.

    Sheela Foam, the owner of iconic brands Sleepwell, and recently acquired Kurlon Enterprises and Furlenco, is building its presence in different geographies at a steady pace. With its portfolio spread across heritage comfort solutions and new-generation tech-enabled lifestyle solutions, the company is heading to a pivotal stage of integrated growth in both Indian and foreign markets.

    Chahar, who has been with Sheela Foam since 1990 and a Whole-Time Director since 2003, brings over 30 years of experience in scaling operations, building distribution strength, and delivering category growth. he has led transformational efforts that have solidified the group’s leadership status in polyurethane (PU) foam business. He has played a pivotal role in establishing Sleepwell as India’s most recognized and highest-selling mattress brand.

    He has been the driving force to build Sheela Foam’s distribution muscle, establishing a robust network of distribution and retail partners across the nation – efforts that have greatly enhanced consumer reach and market share.

    In his enhanced mandate, Chahar will lead the company’s growth strategy – to drive integrated operations, channel consolidation, and pan-India market reach. His leadership will also focus on expanding institutional and B2B verticals, while unlocking manufacturing and procurement synergies across the group’s production facilities.

    Beyond his corporate responsibilities, Chahar also serves as Chairman of the Indian Sleep Products Federation (ISPF) – India’s first dedicated industry body for the mattress and sleep solutions sector.