Category: People

Jack Dee to host BBC Two’s ‘You’re Fired’ & ‘You’re Hired’

MUMBAI: Comedian Jack Dee has been roped in as the new host of BBC Two’s You’re Fired and You’re Hired – the companion show to The Apprentice – with fellow comic Romesh Ranganathan taking a regular place on the panel alongside the business experts and celebrities who appear each week to discuss the outgoing candidates’ performance.

Dee enjoys a special empathy with the candidates as he has been through the process himself, taking part in 2009’sComic Relief Does The Apprentice. Dee made it into the final boardroom only to be beaten by Michelle Mone of the women’s team.

Dee said, “I’m very much looking forward to hosting You’re Fired and hope that the luckless candidates will see me as the friendly face at the end of a difficult time in their lives.”

Ranganathan added, “As a massive fan of The Apprentice, this is very exciting for me. I love You’re Fired and am looking forward to putting all the questions to the candidates that people at home want to see asked. I also have a number of business proposals of my own that I think Lord Sugar will be pretty interested in…”

Entertainment Commissioning controller Mark Linsey said, “It’s great news that we have someone of Jack’s comedy calibre as host of You’re Fired, and I’m really excited that he will be aided and abetted by the hugely talented Romesh. Jack will be brilliant at guiding us through the highlights of The Apprentice and as a super fan of the series, Romesh will provide us with his own uniquely funny perspective.”

BBC Two and BBC Four controller Kim Shillinglaw added, “BBC Two should always be fantastic company and who better than Jack Dee and Romesh Ranganathan to share the candidates’ highs and lows with us and bring their wonderfully funny take on the week’s events – I’m delighted to welcome them both to You’re Fired.”

You’re Fired and You’re Hired was commissioned for BBC Two by Sohail Shah and will be made by Boundless. The 11 x 30’ (You’re Fired) and 1 x 60’ (You’re Hired) shows will be series produced by Kate Staples and executive produced by Cal Turner.

The Apprentice and You’re Fired return to BBC later this year.

September 12, 2015
Radio City COO Ashit Kukian resigns

MUMBAI: After a decade long stint, MBPL COO Ashit Kukian has decided to move on.

He will, however, continue till mid-November and help in navigating the transition.

Kukian has been part of the founding team, which grew Radio City from a four city brand to a national presence and been integral in building Radio City to its current stature.

MBPL CEO Apurva Purohit said, “Ashit has played a key role in the exciting journey of Radio City over the last decade. We will miss him, and I take this opportunity on behalf of the entire team at Radio City to wish him all the very best in his future endeavors.”

Kukian added, “The last decade has been a fantastic run, and I’ve enjoyed every bit of this journey. We’ve got a terrific team at Radio City, and I know the brand will only grow from strength to strength.”

Prior to venturing into the radio industry, Kukian had a 13 year stint with Bennett Coleman & Company.

September 12, 2015
Paramount Worldwide Television Licensing & Distribution expands sales team

MUMBAI: Paramount Worldwide Television Licensing & Distribution (PWTLD) has added two executives to its TV licensing team and promoted one in the Asia Pacific and Sub Saharan Africa territories.

The expansion of PWTLD’s sales team comes in response to the increasing slate of rights that PWTLD represents around the world.

PWTLD senior vice president TV licensing, Asia Pacific & Sub Saharan Africa Jonathan Greenberg now oversees new regional sales executives based in Seoul and Mumbai. Greenberg will oversee PWTLD director regional sales, South Asia Manju Nair as well as PWTLD executive director regional sales, North Asia June Choi.

In addition, Christopher Safford has been promoted to executive director regional sales, South East Asia & Sub Saharan Africa and is now based in Singapore. The company’s senior manager regional sales Carolyn Johnston is now overseeing Australia and New Zealand and is based in Sydney.

Six additional executives were added in territories around the world. The expansion of PWTLD’s sales team augments the studio’s presence in Singapore, Germany, Spain, Italy, Scandinavia, Russia, Brazil, India and Korea.

PWTLD president Amy Reinhard said, “The growth of our division is a reflection of the expanding opportunities in the global marketplace and the increasing amount of content that we have to offer, including the studio’s growing television production. We want to ensure that we can meet the demand across all territories and have sought out the very best professionals to add to our exceptional team so that we can continue to build our business worldwide.”

September 11, 2015
Asianet News CEO Chinta Shyamsundar quits; eyes e-commerce space

MUMBAI: Asianet News Network CEO and executive director Chinta Shyamsundar has put in his paper after a six year stint.

Shyamsundar said, “It has been a very fulfilling experience with Asianet News Network and I will take with me fond memories of building this brand. With every end there is a new beginning and the same way I am about to venture into e-commerce that I have been very passionate about. In the current scenario the international live music business has gained tremendous traction and I am looking at entering that segment as well.”

Prior to this, Shyamsundar was CFO and COO of Jupiter Media and Entertainment. He also held the position of head controlling at the Bengaluru International Airport.

In his career spanning 25 years, Shyamsundar has garnered vast experience and is now venturing into e-commerce business that will focus on apparel and gifting vertical. Besides this, he will also venture into business consulting and setting up media assets.

September 7, 2015
21st Century Fox CEO James Murdoch to speak at Ignition 2015

MUMBAI: Ignition 2015: Future of Digital, which is Business Insider’s flagship annual conference, will see 21st Century Fox CEO James Murdoch as a key speaker.

The conference is scheduled to take place on 8 – 9 December, 2015 in New York City.

Ignition has brought together the best minds in media and technology to share what they see on the horizon. Through unscripted interviews, cutting-edge demos, and insights from industry pioneers, they will highlight key trends to be aware of and what one needs to do to stay ahead.

In his nearly two-decade career with 21st Century Fox, Murdoch has held an impressive succession of leadership roles. He has had direct responsibility for the company’s expansion, strategic transactions, and transformative growth. Under his leadership, the company’s cable and broadcasting networks reach more than 1.8 billion subscribers everyday. Murdoch previously served as co-COO, chairman and CEO for Europe and Asia, and chairman of BSkyB, Sky Deutschland, and Sky Italia.

Apart from Murdoch, the other key speakers at Ignition 2015 are as follows: Sony Pictures Entertainment chairman & CEO Michael Lynton, Time Warner Inc. chairman & CEO Jeff Bewkes, CBS Corporation president & CEO Leslie Moonves, Comcast chairman & CEO Brian Roberts, BuzzFeed founder & CEO Jonah Peretti, TheStreet.com chairman Jim Cramer, Facebook VP of Global Marketing Solutions Carolyn Everson, Rent the Runway co-founder & CEO Jennifer Hyman, GE chairman & CEO Jeff Immelt, Verizon chairman & CEO Lowell McAdam, DraftKings CEO Jason Robins, Vimeo CEO Kerry Trainor, Sourcepoint Technologies, Inc. founder & CEO Ben Barokas, Interlude founder & CEO Yoni Bloch, GE executive director, global brand marketing Linda Boff, Breyer Capital founder & CEO Jim Breyer, Hulu CEO Mike Hopkins, Sharethrough president Patrick Keane, Getty Images co-founder & chairman Jonathan Klein, Blendle co-founder Alexander Klöpping, CBS Interactive president & CEO Jim Lanzone, RBC Capital Markets Managing director, Internet Mark Mahaney, Piper Jaffray Managing director & Senior Research Analyst Gene Munster, Smarty Pants Chief Brainiac Stephanie Retblatt, Gilt Groupe chairman & founder Kevin Ryan, Blue Apron co-founder & CEO Matthew Salzberg, Taboola founder & CEO Adam Singolda, The New York Times Company president & CEO Mark Thompson, Refinery29 co-founder & co-CEO Philippe von Borries and Roku founder & CEO Anthony Wood.

Additionally, speakers from Business Insider will be editor-in-chief & CEO Henry Blodget, chief correspondent Nicholas Carlson, deputy editor, tech insider Steve Kovach, deputy editor, tech, science, and entertainment Alyson Shontell and executive editor Jay Yarow.

In its sixth year now, Ignition 2015 aims to give a new understanding of the transformations taking place in the digital world. Close to 700 senior executives in technology, media, entertainment, investment, and finance will be discussing innovative ideas.

September 4, 2015
MSM hires Humsa Dhir as SVP & head of PR & corp comm

MUMBAI: Multi Screen Media has appointed Humsa Dhir as senior vice-president (SVP) & head – PR & corporate communications for the network.

In this newly created role, Dhir will lead MSM’s PR and communications strategy and execute on pivotal campaigns, programmes and activities that advance the network’s brand image and reputation. Dhir will report to MSM Network CEO NP Singh.

Dhir has over 19 years of experience across advertising, public relations, corporate communications and public affairs; having worked for the India, South Asia and Middle East markets.

Singh said, “We are delighted to welcome Humsa as our corporate communications lead. We believe Humsa’s well-grounded, robust experience across different aspects of communications will enable her to play a very intrinsic role in the network as she charts a strategic direction to shape the network’s reputation amongst its multiple stakeholders. She has our unflinching support to execute on this commitment.”

Prior to joining MSM, Dhir was with AkzoNobel India, where she managed the communications and public affairs portfolio for the entire organisation including its various business verticals. Some of Dhir’s previous work stints have been with Suzlon, the Eicher Group, RK Swamy BBDO as well as J Walter Thompson.

September 3, 2015
Viacom appoints Turner’s Pete Flamman as SVP – brands

MUMBAI: Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Northern Europe has appointed Pete Flamman as senior vice president (SVP) brands effective September 2015.

Flamman assumes the responsibility for the holistic brand strategy and the operational management of the entire brand portfolio of Viacom International Media Networks, including the core brands MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, VIVA, Spike and Paramount.

His responsibilities include acquisitions & content operations, programming & creative and brand development. He reports to Viacom International Media Networks Northern Europe executive vice president (EVP) and managing director Magnus Kastner.

“VIMN has with its broad portfolio of brands and diverse exciting entertainment formats the key elements for a successful brand development across all media platforms. I am very pleased to be able to leave my previous experience in the Northern European market incorporated in new exciting tasks at VIMN. Also, I am very curious get to know it, to be part of the team and my new VIMN talented colleagues in Northern Europe,” said Flamman.

Kastner added, “I am delighted to welcome Pete as part of the North Senior management As a real fire specialist and with his many years of expertise – particularly in business development – he is the perfect fit for this position I am looking forward to.. working with Pete and I am sure that we will advance our VIMN brands on all platforms together.”

Prior to joining VIMN, Flamman worked for 14 years at Turner Broadcasting. He started there as vice president business development and later was largely responsible in various management roles in the development of Turner Broadcasting portfolios in Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Last Flamman served as SVP and COO for the EMEA area and also held the position of managing director of the kids brands Turner.

September 2, 2015
Disney names Jonathan S. Headley as SVP & treasurer

MUMBAI: Jonathan S. Headley has been named senior vice president and treasurer of The Walt Disney Company.

The Walt Disney Company senior executive vice president and CFO Christine M. McCarthy said, “During his 11-year tenure as assistant treasurer, Jon has shown himself to be a highly effective financial executive, and his proven expertise, leadership skills and strategic acumen make him the right choice for this role.”

Headley will report directly to McCarthy, who had previously served as treasurer before becoming CFO earlier this summer.

In his new role, Headley will be responsible for the management and oversight of the company’s global treasury functions including corporate finance, liquidity management, capital markets and banking activities, financial risk management, enterprise project and structured finance, pension and investments, decision support, enterprise consumer payments and global cash management.

“I am honored to assume this new role and to lead the great team that Christine has managed so effectively over the years. This is an exciting time of unprecedented growth at The Walt Disney Company and I am grateful to be able to leverage my experience into this new role and help shape the future of the organization,” Headley said.

Headley most recently served as senior vice president, corporate finance and assistant treasurer, wherein he led and managed corporate finance, decision support, treasury control & compliance, real estate strategy and asset management. He joined the corporate finance team in 1996 as a senior analyst, and went on to assume roles of increasing responsibility within the department. He served as treasurer of Hong Kong Disneyland during the park’s development, and was named assistant treasurer of The Walt Disney Company in 2004.

Prior to joining Disney, Headley was an analyst at Goldman Sachs & Co. and a research associate at Harvard University.

September 2, 2015
Star ups Nikhil Madhok as Life OK biz head; Sumanta Bose as Star Jalsha head

MUMBAI: Star India has promoted Star Plus marketing head Nikhil Madhok as the business head of Life OK. Additionally, Jalsha cluster marketing head Sumanta Bose has been elevated to the role of Jalsha business head.

In his new role, Madhok and the team’s mandate will be to focus on breakthrough innovation on both the content & brand fronts, which will game change the business and take Life OK strongly towards its goals.

Madhok played a pivotal role in the launches of shows like Satyamev Jayate, Mahabharat and Ye Hai Mohhabatein over the last three years.

On the other hand, Bose has played a significant role in crafting and executing strategies for Jalsha and Jalsha Movies.

In an internal mail to employees, a copy of which is with Indiantelevision.com, Star India COO Sanjay Gupta said, “Both Bose and Madhok have given evidence of their well-honed marketing and strategic skill sets in their marketing roles and I am confident they will drive an aggressive growth agenda for their respective businesses.”

“These appointments are in line with our endeavour and commitment to provide growth opportunities to our people and help build meaningful careers at Star,” he added.

August 31, 2015
Vir Sanghvi takes to YouTube to speak on Indrani Mukerjea & Sheena Bora murder

MUMBAI: As the Sheena Bora murder mystery involving former INX Media CEO and co-founder Indrani Mukherjea continues to shock the nation with its developments, people are keeping their eyes glued to the news for any update that explains the possible motive behind this chilling murder. After all, the question of the hour remains, “What could lead a mother to killer her own child?” Those who can answer are also closely associated with the case, and hence are either keeping silent, or being kept away from the media by the police.

Thus, conspiracy theories can hardly be kept at bay and those who knew the now infamous couple are coming up with their own version of why and how things might have chanced.

One such person is popular journalist and current advisor in Hindustan Times Vir Sanghvi. Sanghvi served as INX Media news business CEO, which was floated by Peter Mukerjea and the accused Indrani Mukerjea.

Through a short video titled ‘Curious Case of Indrani Mukerjea’ on his YouTube channel – Go Viral with Vir Sanghvi – the veteran journalist has shed light upon the psyche of Indrani Mukerjea with whom he has closely worked.

In the video, Sanghvi draws parallels between ‘honour killings’ in villages under Khap Panchayat orders, the Arushi murder case which, according to him, still remains a mystery, and the Sheena Bora murder case, which he feels ‘is straight out of Chinatown.’

Addressing people who have been asking him if Indrani seemed like a murderer to him, he says ‘No’ as there is hardly a way to tell a cold blooded murderer from their face. “But she did seem deranged,” he continues, “Indrani was a fantasist and the line between reality and what was in her head was blurred. I think that kind of person eventually becomes amoral,” adding with a hint that Indrani was money-minded to the core.

He concludes the video by sharing how this incident has shaken him and how he won’t be able to look at other high profile personalities in the same way.

Here’s a link to the video:

August 29, 2015