ITV

Category: People

  • Sunil Lulla goes Grey

    Sunil Lulla goes Grey

    MUMBAI: No we are not talking about his hair; that happened sometime back.  We are talking about him getting back to his original professional calling: advertising. The affable gent whose last posting was that of  BCCL president corporate developement is slated to join Grey India as chairman and MD if sources are to be believed. 

     

    While a report stated that he will be replacing Grey India president & CEO Jishnu Sen, that may prove to be untrue. Sen is likely to continue in his position with Sunil Lulla being brought in as additional top management.

     

    Sen was unavailable for a comment. He joined Grey India in 2007 and was heading the Mumbai office. It was in 2009, he was appointed COO of the entire Grey India operation. And in May 2011, Sen was promoted as president & CEO.

     

    Lulla has spent close to nine years in TTN in various leadership roles. Prior to joining TTN, he was at Sony Entertainment Television as executive VP for three years. And in his early days he was associate account director, HTA (now JWT India).

  • Kiaran Saunders joins A+E Networks

    Kiaran Saunders joins A+E Networks

    NEW DELHI: Nicklodeon UK vice president and commercial director Kiaran Saunders has joined A+E Networks VP of EMEA.

     

    Saunders has joined the company in a senior strategic role within its own EMEA operations responsible for A+E Networks’ growth strategy, branded channels and digital distribution across the region.

     

    He will take charge from Liz Higgins, who has joined News UK as commercial development director, and report to MD Dean Possenniskie.

     

    Meanwhile, Jon Wildman has been hired in the newly created role of VP ad sales for EMEA.

     

    The announcement was made by A+E Networks EMEA MD Possenniskie to whom both will report.

     

    At Nickelodeon, Saunders was responsible for managing distribution activity, advertising sales, and business development.

     

    Earlier, he held senior corporate development and finance positions at Channel 4 and RSM Robson Rhodes.

     

    Saunders assumes his new role from September.

     

     

  • Nikhil Wagle: Another one bites the dust at Network18?

    Nikhil Wagle: Another one bites the dust at Network18?

    MUMBAI: Is senior journo Nikhil Wagle going to end up as another casualty at the Network18 group? 

     

    What has got tongues wagging is a tweet which Wagle sent out this morning in which he stated: “My decision to leave Mum (read Mumbai) is final. Need to get away from crowds and madness! Want ultimate peace.”

     

    Wagle is editor in chief at IBN Lokmat which is part of IBN18 which itself is part of the Network18 group. Apparently, he has been on leave for some time now.

     

    RTI activist and senior journalist Vinita Deshmukh questioned him on his tweet, “What are u saying? Where are you going? Will you be the next TV star to desert us?” Wagle responded by saying: “Will always be with people n activists like u! Don’t know about TV!”

    So we at indiantelevision.com also got into the twitter game and messaged him asking him what was going on. He responded after some time, saying he was on leave. And when questioned whether his leave was permanent or just a short break, his quick repartee was “Wait and watch!”

     

    Wagle tweeted later at close to midnight: “Please don’t spread rumors. I am with@ibnlokmattv. Not resigned. On leave.Was hospitalized n adviced rest.“ (updated at 11:23 pm, 28 June 2014).

    Wagle has worked with Doordarshan as well as newspaper Aapla Mahanagar and has been with IBN Lokmat since its launch in 2008.

     

    Currently, IBN18 editor in chief Rajdeep Sardesai and CNN-IBN deputy editor Sagarika Ghose are on leave. Though Rajdeep has calmed his team by saying that he would be back in July before he went on leave earlier this month, the rumour is that he is not returning.

     

    After Reliance announced its acquisition of the network last month from founder Raghav Bahl, group CEO B Saikumar, COO Ajay Chacko, CFO RDS Binni Bawa and several others put in their papers. It is unknown who will be taking their positions. Meanwhile, the open offer for Network18 is slated to go on till August.

     

  • N Srinivasan confirmed as ICC chairman

    N Srinivasan confirmed as ICC chairman

    MUMBAI: Narayanaswami Srinivasan has been confirmed as the International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman after the 52-member full council approved amendments to the ICC’s Memorandum and Articles of Association at the annual conference in Melbourne.

    Srinivasan was nominated by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for the top position and will assume charge following the conclusion of the ICC annual conference week.

    The approval of the constitutional changes, which flowed from an ICC Board resolution taken in Singapore on 8 February and finalised on 10 April, also means that a new executive committee was formed, which will report to the ICC Board.

    The initial chair of the executive committee will be Cricket Australia’s chairman, Wally Edwards, while the chair of the ICC’s finance and commercial affairs committee (F&CA) will continue to be England and Wales Cricket Board’s chairman, Giles Clarke.

    Srinivasan said it was an honour to become ICC chairman and promised that the ICC will continue to play a leading role in the promotion and development of the global game.

    “It is an honour to be confirmed as the chairman of the International Cricket Council,” said Srinivasan, adding: “I will leave no stone unturned in trying to strengthen the pillars and foundations of our sport, both on and off the field. I want to ensure that cricket retains and grows its popularity, and that the ICC plays a leading role in this global growth.”

    “I want to see more strong teams in international cricket. For this to be achieved, we all need to work hard to develop local talent in our countries. Naturally, there will be more support to those who first show they can help themselves. The ICC is a members’ organisation and the pathway is now there for any member to play test cricket or in the major ICC events if it performs well enough over a sustained period of time.”

    Srinivasan congratulated outgoing ICC president Alan Isaac for his contribution.” Isaac has been an inspirational president of the ICC. He provided guidance to everyone during his two-year term and all three international formats remain incredibly popular. The game is unquestionably stronger than it was at the start of his term,” he said.

    The annual conference also saw Mustafa Kamal become the eleventh president of the ICC.

    Kamal said: “This is a memorable and historic day for Bangladesh cricket. On this day 14 years ago, Bangladesh became the tenth test playing country. Today, a Bangladeshi becomes the eleventh president of the International Cricket Council. Thank you for bestowing this honour on Bangladesh and me.”

  • Vishnu Athreya elevated to CN, Boomerang vice president programme scheduling

    Vishnu Athreya elevated to CN, Boomerang vice president programme scheduling

    MUMBAI: Vishnu Athreya has been named the vice president, programme scheduling for Cartoon Network and Boomerang. The announcement was made by Cartoon Network chief content officer in US Rob Sorcher. In this position, Athreya will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day scheduling and strategic positioning of programming content for Cartoon Network, Boomerang and branded non-linear programme platforms.

     

    He will serve as departmental lead for long-range calendar planning along with developing creative strategies for on-air stunts and special events surrounding the networks’ growing library of original, acquired and classic animated programming. Athreya will be based in Atlanta and report directly to Sorcher, who is based at Cartoon Network Studios in Burbank, California.

     

    “Vishnu has artfully produced high-performance schedules in territories around the world, and now assumes the US role with a deep knowledge of our product,” said Sorcher. “I’m pleased we were able to tap our own international talent pool, and as a result expect Vishnu to be a unifying link for Cartoon Network worldwide.”

     

    Athreya joins the Cartoon Network US team after a long stint as executive director of programming, acquisitions and development for Turner Broadcasting’s kids channels in Asia Pacific: Cartoon Network, Toonami, Pogo, Boomerang and Cartoonito. Based in Hong Kong, he was responsible for driving content programming strategy for Turner in Asia Pacific.

     

    In a role that included programme scheduling, operations and acquisitions, Athreya was responsible for developing and furthering Turner’s broader kids’ strategy with new channel launches – specifically Toonami, a boys action channel, and Cartoonito, for younger children – and building strategic network relationships with various content providers. Over the course of his tenure, he was instrumental in propelling Cartoon Network to a leadership position in Asia Pacific.

     

    He began his career in advertising as a media planner with MediaCom India, part of Grey Worldwide.

     

    Athreya earned a post graduate diploma in communications from the Mudra Institute of Communications in Ahmedabad, India. He also holds a bachelor’s of science degree in chemistry from St. Stephens College in Delhi, India.

  • Nitesh Kripalani says farewell to SonyLIV

    Nitesh Kripalani says farewell to SonyLIV

    MUMBAI: Multi Screen Media (Sony Entertainment Network) executive VP new media, business development and digital/syndication Nitesh Kripalani has apparently decided to call it a day at the network. He has reportedly put in his papers last week.

    Industry sources confirmed the news to Indiantelevision.com. However Kripalani refused to confirm or deny that he had resigned.
     

    The 33 year old  was ranked amongst the top 40 under 40 executives in India by Business Today magazine as recently as March this year and he was extremely gung-ho about SonyLiv, which the magazine says contributed 5 per cent to MSM’s topline.  And he was hopeful of taking that up to 15 per cent in the next three years.

     

    His departure hence was sudden, and surprised many in the industry.

     

    Kripalani joined MSM in 2009 and was directly recruited by the then CEO and now chairman Man Jit Singh. He spearheaded the broadcast network’s programming syndication initiatives,contributed to some M&A initiatives, and investment decisions. But his biggest success was with SonyLiv digital platform which serves as a central digital point for all the network’s content. Kripalani chose the advertising revenue generation route for SonyLiv which made the going that much more challenging.

     

     

  • VK Jain given additional charge of administration at Doordarshan

    VK Jain given additional charge of administration at Doordarshan

    NEW DELHI: Doordarshan additional director general V K Jain has been given charge of administration department in addition to finance, PR & publicity, commercial & sales and Doordarshan archives.

     

    Jain who joined DD directorate in March 2012 has been actively involved in the re-branding exercise of the pubcaster. Apart from being the driving force for constant publicity and PR drives since last year, he is behind the social media surge at Doordarshan and is constantly pushing to strengthen Doordarshan archives as well.  

     

     Jain joined the civil services in 1984. In the course of his 30 year-long career, he has held eminent posts such as Registrar- GGS Indraprastha University Delhi, Joint Secretary (General Administration- Delhi), Collector cum Deputy Commissioner (Excise) in Delhi, General Manager- Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation, Joint Director cum Joint Secretary (Training & Technical Education), Director Sports and OSD Personnel in DDA and Special Commissioner in Food & Supply Department- Delhi, to name few.

     

    He was named Best Branch Officer, Delhi Development Authority, in 1994 and given a distinguished Alumni Award by Alumni Association of Shri Ram College of Commerce in 2007. Jain takes keen interest in constitutional law, international law, business law, organisational behaviour and real estate management.

  • Assaf Blecher to oversee Keshet DCP JV in an expanded role

    Assaf Blecher to oversee Keshet DCP JV in an expanded role

    MUMBAI: It was announced earlier today in a statement by Dick Clark Productions (DCP) EVP of programming development Mark Bracco and Keshet International CEO Alon Shtruzman that current Dick Clark Productions programming and development vice president Assaf Blecher will expand his role to include oversight of Keshet DCP.  In Blecher’s new role he will manage programming and development for Keshet DCP, the joint venture(JV) formed by Keshet International, the global distribution and production arm of Keshet Media Group and DC Media, and the parent company of DCP. The JV which was announced last year, produces unscripted programming in the US and develops, produces and finances new formats for international markets.

     

    Keshet DCP programming for 2014 includes the new reality singing competition Rising Star set to premiere on 22 June on the American Broadcasting Company network, the new game show format BOOM! scheduled for broadcast on FOX network later this year and additional projects at various stages of development.  Blecher will continue to be based in the company’s Santa Monica headquarters and will report to Bracco and Shtruzman. 

                                                                                                                                                                                       

    “Assaf played a key role in the formation of Keshet DCP and will be instrumental in our strategies to expand our programming footprint domestically and internationally with the most compelling slate of unscripted programming possible,” said Bracco in a statement.

     

    “Assaf has a proven track record and has contributed great insights and talent to the development of Keshet DCP. We at Keshet are delighted to have him on board as a partner and a creative executive, especially during this significant growth period. His experience, industry acumen and friendship will be of great benefit to our collective effort,” said Shtruzman.

     

    “It is an honor to formalise my relationship with Keshet and the Keshet DCP team,” said Blecher.  “The Keshet International team is a global leader and we look forward to introducing revolutionary new television formats to US audiences and beyond.”

     

    Blecher began his career with Dick Clark Productions in 2005 as manager and has held several roles with the company.  Most recently, Blecher served as vice president of development TV and digital programming overseeing a variety of projects including Golden Gods for VH1 and the upcoming Star Spangled Spectacular for PBS. 

  • Gordon Smith to continue as NAB president till 2018 end

    Gordon Smith to continue as NAB president till 2018 end

    NEW DELHI: National Association of Broadcasters president and CEO Gordon Smith has agreed to a contract extension that will keep him in the position until 31 December 2018, NAB joint board chairman Charles Warfield has announced.

     

     Smith joined NAB in November 2009 and oversees the advocacy efforts of thousands of local radio and television stations across America. He is a former two-term United States Senator from Oregon (1996-2008) and was a successful entrepreneur before launching his career in politics.

     

     During his tenure in the American Senate, Smith’s committee assignments included the Senate Commerce Committee, the panel that oversees broadcast-related legislation. He also served on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, the Senate Finance Committee, and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

  • Nita Ambani Joins RIL Board as Director

    Nita Ambani Joins RIL Board as Director

    MUMBAI: The shareholders of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) have approved the appointment of Nita M. Ambani who is the chairperson of Reliance Foundation (RF), as director on the board of Reliance Industries at an AGM held on 18 July 2014.

     

    On behalf of the board, RIL chairman Mukesh Ambani welcomed his spouse and said, “Nita has been engaged in several initiatives that have strengthened Reliance, right from building the world-class township and the ecological development at Jamnagar, next­ generation office campuses, designing customer touch paints of Reliance Retail, healthcare initiatives, successfully setting up and running institutions such as Dhirubhai Ambani International School and Mumbai Indians to, most importantly, managing Reliance Foundation. We are delighted to welcome her to the Board of Reliance Industries as an accomplished individual who will add significant value to Reliance’s journey of growth.”

     

    While accepting her new role with a sense of humility and responsibility she said, “RIL has always aimed to better millions of lives and my mission will be to bring speed, scale and social contract to RIL.’s larger mission. I accept this responsibility as a tribute to millions of RIL stakeholders, as well as to my tireless colleagues at Reliance foundation.”

     

    Nita Ambani, the wife of India’s richest man was at the forefront of the ecological development of RlL’s Jamnagar refinery site where a biodiversity plan covering 3.2 million trees over 2000 acres was implemented.

     

    She developed the world-class township in Jamnagar from scratch, setting new standards in quality of life. Nita has also led initiatives spanning education, health, rural transformation, environmental protection and sports over the past two decades. She has also built institutions in fields such as education, sports and healthcare in India, through Reliance Foundation and Mumbai Indians from scratch. She also leads 13 schools in the Reliance fold, including 1 international school- Dhirubhai Ambani International School- which is a testament to her commitment to excellence in education. These schools are striving to provide quality education to more than 15,000 students.

     

    With RIL acquiring Network 18 and now announcing Nita as one of the directors in the board, it will be interesting to see the developments shaping up in the company.