ITV

Category: People

  • Lachlan Murdoch appointed as News Corp non-executive co-chairman

    Lachlan Murdoch appointed as News Corp non-executive co-chairman

    MUMBAI: News Corp has got its new non-executive co-chairman in Lachlan Murdoch. The announcement was made by the News Corp board of directors on 26 March. 

     

    “This appointment is a sign of confidence in the growth potential of News Corp and a recognition of Lachlan’s entrepreneurial leadership and passion for news, digital media and sport,” said News Corp executive chairman Rupert Murdoch in a statement.

     

    “In this elevated role, Lachlan will help us lead News Corp forward as we expand our reach and invest in new technologies and markets around the world.  We have many challenges and opportunities ahead, and Lachlan’s strategic thinking and vast knowledge of our businesses will enable me as executive chairman and the company as a whole to deliver the best outcomes on behalf of our stockholders, employees and customers,” added Murdoch.

     

    Lachlan Murdoch is currently a director of News Corp and 21st Century Fox, executive chairman of NOVA Entertainment Group, executive chairman of Illyria Pty and director of Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art.  Until recently, he also served as non-executive chairman of Ten Network Holdings.  Under his leadership, NOVA Entertainment Group became Australia’s number one national FM network.

     

    Prior to founding Illyria in 2005, Lachlan was the deputy chief operating officer of News Corporation (now 21st Century Fox), a role in which he was directly responsible for two thirds of the company’s global revenue, with specific emphasis on its US television stations group and publishing assets.

     

    While at the former News Corporation, Lachlan had oversight of HarperCollins and the company’s lines of business in Australia, including REA.  He also served on the Board of Foxtel and as chairman of Fox Television Stations and publisher of the New York Post.  At Fox Television Stations, Lachlan oversaw the company’s 35 owned-and-operated television stations, where he raised the bar on local news coverage nationwide, increasing the total number of local news hours across the group to more than 850 per week.  At the New York Post, Lachlan overhauled the tabloid and grew its circulation by more than 40 per cent.  During his tenure, the Post became the nation’s fastest growing newspaper and the seventh largest in the United States

     

    “I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and working with Lachlan for a number of years, and I’m delighted he’ll be serving in this elevated capacity,” said News Corp chief executive Robert Thomson.

     

    “Lachlan’s experience, acumen and enthusiasm will serve us well as we guide News Corp and its businesses through this era of digital transformation and global expansion.  His early appreciation of the value of REA, the digital property site that is a jewel in our crown, is an indicator of his prescience and strategic savvy,” informed Thomson.

     

     “I am grateful to the Board of News Corp for this exciting opportunity, and I’m looking forward to working more closely than ever with my father as well as Robert Thomson and his team, who have launched the new News so successfully,” said Lachlan Murdoch. 

     

    “News Corp today has the energy and sensibility of a start-up and is at the cutting edge of change in the media, publishing and education industries, and much more,” he concluded. 

  • Preet Dhupar to quit BBC Global News

    Preet Dhupar to quit BBC Global News

    MUMBAI: With elections just around the corner and one of the world’s renowned news channels BBC Global News promising to provide in depth news regarding India during the elections, comes a news that BBC Global News chief operating officer for India Preet Dhupar has decided to quit the organisation.

     

    Confirming the news to indiantelevision.com, Dhupar says, “Yes I have decided to leave but I’m around in BBC for some time.”

     

    BBC too has confirmed the news and revealed that the management is currently looking for a suitable replacement for Dhupar.

     

    Dhupar has been associated with BBC for 14 years. She joined the channel in 2000 as director of finance and operations and was elevated to COO in 2013.

  • Renton D’Sousa calls it a day at Triton

    Renton D’Sousa calls it a day at Triton

    MUMBAI: “Paani Ka Doctor” is synonymous with the leading water purifier brand. But for everyone at Triton and some outside it, the man who created such properties and many more has decided to call it a day.

     

    Commenting the development, Ali Merchant, Director Triton said “Renton has been with us for over a decade and contributed to some solid and memorable brand building creative work for our clients. At the same time he has been responsible in the professional development of Triton especially for the people that have worked with him. His ‘never say die’ spirit will always be remembered. I will miss him at work and will remain his friend for all time to come. I wish him the very best in his next endeavour. I am sure he will do us proud”.

     

    Echoing Ali’s sentiments, Munawar Syed, Director Triton said “ Renton, a multi talented individual has been a key contributor to Triton’s rise and stability over many years. Such talent feeds on new challenges, new experiences and Renton’s stepping out from the warmth of Triton is in keeping with his desire to explore new horizons. I wish him a smooth journey”.

     

    Whilst the man in the hot seat very humbly stated “It’s been almost 12 years of brand building with some of the most wonderful people in the advertising industry at Triton. And that starts with Ali Merchant and Munawar Syed. Looking back, it has been over 30 years of ingenuity. And at times reinventing the game to increase market share of brands. More importantly, changing consumer behavior. It’s now time to pause and take a short sabbatical. Catch up with life!”.

     

    Prior to joining Triton over 10 years ago, Renton was the creative head of a few units at Lintas Mumbai. He has also been associated with Contract and Mudra. Matter of time before we hear of his new endeavour.

  • Priyanka Rishi joins Taproot India as GM

    Priyanka Rishi joins Taproot India as GM

    MUMBAI: Taproot India has appointed Priyanka Rishi as its general manager. She will be reporting to CEO Umesh Shrikhande.

     

    “To be a part of an agency that has set benchmarks for the industry is professionally stimulating and exciting. I look forward to building on Taproot’s strengths and work ethos to create an even stronger organisation,” said Rishi.

     

    With more than 16 years in the business, Rishi in her earlier journey has had long stints with Ogilvy and JWT and brings with her solid cross category experience.

     

    Shrikhande said: “With so many interesting opportunities for adding value to our clients’ businesses and brands, Priyanka is a welcome addition to our talented team.  She is passionate about both strategy and creativity and comes with a deep and insightful understanding of brands. Infusing our team with such strong talent will further the process of adding depth and sparkle to brand Taproot.”

     

    She will be based in Mumbai.

  • MJ Akbar joins BJP as spokesperson

    MJ Akbar joins BJP as spokesperson

    MUMBAI: A line of journalists have begun showing their political stances of late. First Shazi Ilmi and Manish Sisodia quit their respective jobs to join upcoming Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Now one of India’s top notch journalists MJ Akbar has joined another party- the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as its official spokesperson.

     

    The PTI quotes him as saying “I have come back to politics because of policy. The crisis in front of the country is known to all. This is an opportunity to do whatever little we can do for our country.”

     

    Akbar is renowned for starting The Telegraph, The Asian Age and The Sunday Guardian. The latter is now a part of Information TV Group managed by Kartikeya Sharma that runs NewsX and India News channels.

     

    Additionally, Akbar is also currently hosting a show on NewsX called ‘Decode India with MJ Akbar’.

     

    He is currently the editorial director of The Sunday Guardian. Earlier he was associated with the TV Today group.

  • Neeraj Sanan moves on from MCCS

    Neeraj Sanan moves on from MCCS

    MUMBAI: It’s not yet the seven year itch. But after working with Media Content and Communication Services (MCCS) for nearly six years, chief marketing officer (CMO) Neeraj Sanan has decided to move on from the company that holds three big news channels under the brand name ABP- ABP News, ABP Majha and ABP Bangla.

     

    Sanan confirmed the news to indiantelevision.com but added that he would be serving as the CMO till early April.  Undecided about his next move, Sanan is sure of continuing in the marketing field even in the future.

     

    He is currently serving his notice period at MCCS where he was additionally handling the global distribution of the ABP channels.

     

    Sanan has nearly 18 years of experience in the industry. Prior to this he was the CMO at Web18, the mobile and internet arm of Network18.  

  • Den Networks appoints Sheetal Garg as VP – finance

    Den Networks appoints Sheetal Garg as VP – finance

    MUMBAI: Multi system operator (MSO), DEN Networks, today announced the appointment of Sheetal Garg as the vice president finance for its broadband division. The announcement has come at a time when the MSO is gearing at launching its broadband services, soon.

    Garg, prior to joining DEN Networks was working as Ernst & Young vice president transaction advisory services. In his four years stint with Ernst & Young, Garg has been involved with advising clients on nuances of the sectors through an in-depth analysis of the financial and operating metrics.  He has also  executed over 100 due diligence assignments including strategic buy outs, PE investments and carve outs in diverse sectors including IT/ITes, media & entertainment, education, real estate, infrastructure projects (Power & Road), equity and commodity brokerage, telecommunication, telecom towers, airlines and automobiles.

    Earlier, he was associated with Deloitte for over two years. His major clients included Hero Honda Motors, Godfrey Phillips India, Goodyear India, Idea Mobile Communications, Titan and ITC (Hotels Division).

  • Samsonite International SA appoints Ramesh Tainwala as Global COO

    Samsonite International SA appoints Ramesh Tainwala as Global COO

    MUMBAI: Samsonite International S.A., world’s largest manufacturer and leading luggage brand for more than 100 years, today announced the appointment of Mr. Ramesh Tainwala as Chief Operating Officer with immediate effect. In his new role, Mr. Tainwala will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the business of the company globally and continue to be directly involved in the management of the company’s business in China, Philippines and Australia. Mr. Leo Boo Suk Suh will be taking over from Mr. Tainwala as President, Samsonite Asia and Middle East.

     

    Mr. Ramesh Tainwala, COO, Samsonite International S.A, said ““I am delighted to take on my new role at a time when increasing number of people are traveling and every market across the world presents interesting challenges. In this backdrop, I hope I will be able to strengthen Samsonite’s leadership position globally.”

     

    Mr.Tainwala served as Executive Director and President, Asia-Pacific and Middle East of Samsonite International SA since February 10, 2011. In his role as President, Mr. Tainwala’s principal responsibility was to manage and develop the Group’s business in Asia Pacific. The responsibilities of this role included the Group’s manufacturing operations in India as well as marketing and sales in the Middle East, West Asia and Australia. Mr. Tainwala has been the General Manager of the Group’s Middle Eastern Operation since January 2007 and has been the chief operating officer of the Group’s Indian operation since June 2000.

  • Khushwant Singh: The man with good-intentioned malice towards all, signs off

    Khushwant Singh: The man with good-intentioned malice towards all, signs off

    NEW DELHI: ‘With Malice towards one and all’ was a rare title for a weekly column. He had seen India grow from being a country ruled by the British to a freedom tainted by corrupt politicians and technocrats. Only he could have had the courage to speak out so bluntly.

     

    Renowned author and columnist Khushwant Singh, who is remembered not only for his weekly knife-edged columns but also his ability to laugh at himself, passed away Thursday morning, aged 99.

     

    He was married to Kawal Malik. He is survived by his son Rahul Singh and daughter Mala. Actress Amrita is the daughter of his brother Daljit Singh and Rukhsana Sultana.

     

    He stayed in “Sujan Singh Park” near Khan Market, New Delhi’s first apartment complex built by his father in 1945 and named after his grandfather.

     

    He founded the Planning Commission journal Yojana, and also served as the editor of the Illustrated Weekly of India, the National Herald, and the Hindustan Times.

     

    Apart from his columns and poems, he is remembered for one of the best novels based on the partition of the country –Train to Pakistan – which was converted into a very moving and poignant film years later. 

     

    Not surprisingly, he titled his autobiography as “Truth, Love, and a Little Malice” and this was published in 2002.

     

    Singh was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1974, an award he returned in 1984 to voice his protest against the siege of the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Later in 2007, he received the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian honour in the country.

     

    He also served as a member of the Rajya Sabha from 1980 to 1986 and

     

    Even though he could be very pungent and acidic in his criticism, he never gave up humour in his writings. His comparisons of social and behavioral characteristics of Westerners and Indians are laced with acid wit.

     

    Singh was born on 2 February 1915 in Hadali in District Khushab in the then undivided Punjab, which is now known as Sargodha district and is in Pakistan. His father Sir Sobha Singh was a prominent builder and is credited with the design of the present-day Connaught Place and many parts of Lutyens’ Delhi. His uncle Sardar Ujjal Singh (1895–1983) was Governor of Punjab and Tamil Nadu.

     

    He was educated at Modern School, New Delhi, Government College, Lahore, St. Stephen’s College in Delhi and King’s College London, before reading for the Bar at the Inner Temple.

     

    During his tenure, The Illustrated Weekly (now extinct) became India’s pre-eminent newsweekly with its circulation rising from 65,000 to 4,00,000 copies. Known for his penchant criticisms, he was asked to leave the journal on 25 July 1978, a week before his retirement, after working for nine years in the weekly. This led to a major drop in readership of the weekly.

     

    His works ranged from political commentary and contemporary satire to outstanding translations of Sikh religious texts and Urdu poetry. Despite the name, his column “With Malice Towards One and All” regularly contained secular exhortations and messages of peace. In addition, he is one of the last remaining writers to have personally known most of the stalwart writers and poets of Urdu and Punjabi and profiled his recently deceased contemporaries in his column.

     

    He had often been accused of favoring the ruling Congress and was known to be close to the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. His faith in the Indian political system had been shaken by events such as the anti-Sikh riots that followed Indira Gandhi’s assassination. But he has remained resolutely positive on the promise of Indian democracy and worked via Citizen’s Justice Committee floated by H. S. Phoolka who was a senior advocate of Delhi High Court.

     

    His many books include The Mark of Vishnu and Other Stories (1950), The History of Sikhs (1953 with a revised edition in the early sixties and a second edition in the late sixties),Train to Pakistan (1956), The Voice of God and Other Stories (1957), I Shall Not Hear the Nightingale (1959), The Sikhs Today (1959), The Fall of the Kingdom of the Punjab (1962), Ranjit Singh: The Maharajah of the Punjab (1963), Ghadar 1915: India’s first armed revolution (1966), A Bride for the Sahib and Other Stories (1967), Black Jasmine ( 1971), Tragedy of Punjab (1984) Women and Men in My Life (1995), Uncertain Liaisons; Sex, Strife and Togetherness in Urban India (1995), Why I Supported the Emergency: Essays and Profiles ( 2009) and Delhi: A Novel (1990). In addition, he had several anthologies of short stories, and wrote the television documentary Third World – Free Press for a British channel in 1982.

     

    Apart from the Rockfeller Grant, he had received the Honest Man of the Year award from Sulabh International, the Punjab Rattan award from the Punjab Government, and the Sahitya academy fellowship of the Sahitya Akademi.

     

    Often a butt of jokes for his attitude towards women and sex, Khushwant did not lose his sense of humour even after he had stopped actively writing or socialising. He will remain an icon for the modern Indian writers who often emulate his style to gain popularity.

  • Keshet UK hires Sammy Nourmand as COO

    Keshet UK hires Sammy Nourmand as COO

    MUMBAI: Keshet UK, part of Keshet International, has appointed Sammy Nourmand to the newly created role of Chief Operating Officer, as it steps up the pace of its UK production business and underlines its commitment to the UK market. Nourmand’s appointment is effective immediately giving him oversight of ITV’s version of Keshet’s interactive talent show RISING STAR and several more projects in the development pipeline with UK broadcasters.

    Based in London, Nourmand will report to Alon Shtruzman, CEO of Keshet International which also has local production offices in Canada, Australia, Keshet/DCP in the US in addition to the company’s distribution arm.

    Sammy brings over 20 years’ experience in the UK’s independent TV sector, having worked on a large number of shows including big budget productions for broadcasters in both the UK and US. He was most recently CEO of DCD Media before leaving in late 2012 to take up various consultancy roles with UK and US-based production companies, includingKeshet.

    Keshet International, CEO, Alon Shtruzman said “As our UK office goes from strength to strength I’m delighted to have Sammy on board to navigate our journey during this significant growth period. The experience he has built over many years in the industry will be a great asset to us.”

    Sammy Nourmand added “The lure of Keshet’s impressive track record in creating successful shows and Alon’s irrepressible enthusiasm were hard to resist. I’m pleased to be joining Keshet at this exciting time.”

    Nourmand began his career at Michael Hurll Television, working on the British Comedy Awards. He joined September Films in 1998 and went on to become CEO in 2005. Under his stewardship, the company enjoyed its longest period of sustained growth and stability, more than trebling its turnover and establishing a US office. It was acquired by DCD Media in August 2007.

    Nourmand served as DCD’s Interim COO in 2009 and became an Executive Director in 2011 before his appointment as CEO in February in 2012. During this timehe played a key role setting up joint ventures with UK production companies Matchlight, Rize Television USA and bringing Sequence Post Production into the Group.