ITV

Category: People

  • Gaurav Banerjee to lead SPNI from August

    Gaurav Banerjee to lead SPNI from August

    MUMBAI: After some amount of speculation about whether Disney Star India head honcho Gaurav Banerjee would be hopping over onto Sony Pictures Networks India as big boss, today the company sent out a release confirming Banerjee (or GB as he is known) as the professional to lead SPNI on or before 26 August, pending regulatory approvals. He succeeds the extremely affable and low profile NP Singh who  successfully headed the M&E major for around 25 years.

    NP is slated to take on the role of non-executive chairman to support the transition until the end of the fiscal year.

    Says GB: “I am deeply honoured to take on the role of MD & CEO at SPNI. Under N.P. Singh’s remarkable leadership, SPNI has achieved tremendous success and innovation in the entertainment industry. I am excited to lead talented teams as we explore new frontiers in original programming, enhance our viewers’ experiences, drive our distribution footprint across India, and significantly boost our revenues. Together, we will set new benchmarks in entertainment and deliver exceptional value to our audiences and stakeholders.

    “Adds NP: “I am immensely proud of the success and innovation SPNI has achieved. I am confident that Gaurav will elevate SPNI’s impressive portfolio to new heights. His visionary approach will undoubtedly continue our legacy of excellence and creativity. I look forward to supporting him and our talented team as we further our impact in content creation, audience engagement, and digital media initiatives. And most importantly, I would like to thank the entire SPNI team for being the fulcrum of our growth and success.

    “Chairman of global television studios  & president & COO of Sony Pictures Entertainment Ravi Ahuja adds: “N.P. Singh’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping SPNI into the powerhouse it is today. I am confident that Gaurav Banerjee, with his proven track record and visionary approach, will continue to drive SPNI’s success. Gaurav’s expertise in content creation and strategic leadership will undoubtedly lead SPNI into an exciting new chapter of growth and achievement. We are thrilled to have him at the helm and look forward to the continued success of SPNI under his leadership.

    “More about GB

    With an illustrious career spanning over two decades, Gaurav Banerjee brings a wealth of experience in content creation and strategic leadership. He previously held the positions of head of content for Hindi entertainment & Disney+ Hotstar and business head for Star Bharat, Hindi & English movies, kids & infotainment, and regional (East). In these roles, Gaurav not only oversaw content curation across multiple languages but also spearheaded original series and films that resonated deeply with diverse audiences, earning him a reputation as an innovative and forward-thinking leader.

    Gaurav’s strategic vision and innovative approach consistently positioned top shows like Anupama, Ghum Hai Kisi Ke Pyaar Mein, and Imlie at the forefront of viewership ratings. He was vital in producing award-winning streaming originals such as the Emmy-nominated Aarya, Special Ops, The Freelancer, and The Night Manager for Disney+ Hotstar.

    Gaurav’s media journey started as an assistant producer and anchor at Aaj Tak. From there he moved to Star News, where he started producing and anchoring prime time news shows. Gaurav holds a master’s degree in filmmaking and TV production from Jamia Milia Islamia University and an undergraduate in history from St Stephens, Delhi.

  • Aparna Bhosle joins Sun TV Network

    Aparna Bhosle joins Sun TV Network

    Mumbai: After a 12 year and 3 month long stint at Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd, Aparna Bhosle has joined Sun TV Network Ltd as the head of HGEC/RHSM channels and strategic Alliances.

    Before joining Sun TV, she held the position of Zee TV’s chief cluster officer. Bhosle is a seasoned professional with almost three decades of experience.

    She earlier held various positions ranging from Reckitt & Colman, Diageo, Wisden India to The Walt Disney Company and Astro Malaysia.

  • Central Government appoints Atul Chaudhary as new TRAI secretary

    Central Government appoints Atul Chaudhary as new TRAI secretary

    Mumbai: The Central Government has appointed Atul Chaudhary as the new secretary of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), following the retirement of V Raghunandan last month. Raghunandan’s retirement was announced on May 15 during a TRAI open house, and he officially stepped down on May 31. During his tenure, he managed telecom project implementations, ensured telecom compliance across various regions, and enforced policies.

    Atul previously served as deputy director general (DDG) at the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and held the same position at the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) in 2021, has taken over the role. His extensive experience includes roles in personnel, human resources, administration, licensing, and vigilance divisions of BSNL and DoT. A member of the 1989 batch of Indian Telecommunication Services (ITS) officers, Chaudhary graduated from IIT Roorkee and holds a diploma in public policy and administration from the Indian Institute of Public Administration.

  • Warner Bros Discovery hires Robert Gibbs as chief communications & public affairs boss

    Warner Bros Discovery hires Robert Gibbs as chief communications & public affairs boss

    MUMBAI: Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) has announced the appointment of  Robert Gibbs as chief communications & public affairs officer. In this newly created role, he will oversee WBD’s corporate and business communications as well as public affairs. An experienced and proven communications and public policy leader, Gibbs will officially assume the role on 5 August and report to WBD CEO David Zaslav.

    “At this transformative time in our industry, Robert is the right leader to assume this new, critical global role, as we continue to grow the Warner Bros Discovery brand and presence around the world,” said Zaslav. “Robert is an insightful and respected leader with experience spanning Fortune 500 companies, the White House, and winning political campaigns. He will be an invaluable part of the team as we create the most captivating stories and content for consumers around the world. I am thrilled to welcome him to WBD.”

    “I couldn’t be happier to join Warner Bros Discovery and to help tell the incredible stories of so many iconic brands across entertainment, news and sports,” said Gibbs. “I’m particularly excited to work with the global team to fully and clearly capture WBD’s vision and communicate the meaningful growth potential in front of us. I am looking forward to getting started and being a part of this world-class organisation.”

    Gibbs most recently served as a partner at Bully Pulpit International, a strategic communications, public affairs, and corporate reputation advisory firm. From 2015 to 2019, Gibbs served as the executive vice president for corporate relations and global chief communications officer for McDonald’s, where he oversaw the company’s global corporate communications, internal and executive communications, government relations and public affairs work. At McDonald’s, Gibbs globalised the communications function, led communications strategy for the company’s successful launch of delivery service, and drove significant awareness of key strategic initiatives including improved food quality and the “America’s Best First Job” campaign.

    Prior to McDonald’s, Gibbs held several senior communications and advisory roles in the Obama White House and his presidential campaigns. He was the Obama Administration’s first White House press secretary and an assistant to the president from January 2009 to February 2011. Gibbs began working for Obama in 2004 as communications director for his US senate campaign. He held the same job in Obama’s US senate office and during his 2008 presidential campaign. After leaving the White House, Gibbs served as a senior advisor to president Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign.
     

  • Nachiket Pantvaidya appointed as general manager, Sony Pictures International Productions – India

    Nachiket Pantvaidya appointed as general manager, Sony Pictures International Productions – India

    Mumbai: Sony Pictures Entertainment announced that veteran executive Nachiket Pantvaidya has been appointed as general manager of Sony Pictures International Productions (SPIP), India.

    In this role, Nachiket will oversee local Indian production while working alongside Shony Panjikaran (general manager and head of Sony Pictures Releasing International, India).

    Sony Pictures International Production EVP, creative production and head Shebnem Askin said, “Sanford Panitch and I are so pleased to have Nachiket join the Sony Pictures International Productions to lead our local Indian production. These are exciting times as we take a step to make and release our biggest local slate for the Indian market in the next two years. We are most excited as Nachiket brings along not only rich industry experience but also new energy and dynamic execution skills to lead SPIP to a prime position.”

    Commenting on his appointment, Nachiket Pantvaidya said, “I am pleased to lead and nurture our creative and business forces to ensure that we best serve our movie audiences, especially in these dynamic times where the creative and business parameters for movie making in India are being redefined. We are aiming to scale our output to not only match audience expectations, but also to ensure that the right cohorts get to see the movie of their choice on the distribution medium of their choice. I hope to partner fruitfully with the players in the market and with Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) and optimize SPIP’s strength going ahead.”

    In his earlier assignments, Nachiket was group CEO, Balaji Telefilms, business head of Sony Entertainment Television. He was also the business head of Star Plus and held several roles in the Star TV network, including head of Star Pravah and managing director of Fox Television Studios. An IIM-Ahmedabad alumnus, he has also held key management roles in BBC and Disney.

    As he takes up this new assignment, he will continue to perform his duties as CEO, Sony Entertainment Talent Ventures in parallel.

  • Reliance Jio appoints Sidharth Kedia appointed as SVP & head of JioGames

    Reliance Jio appoints Sidharth Kedia appointed as SVP & head of JioGames

    Mumbai: Reliance Jio has appointed Nodwin Gaming’s ex-CEO Sidharth Kedia, as senior vice president and head of JioGames. This strategic move is intended to expand JioGames’ business operations. Kedia, who started his new role in June, expressed his excitement about rejoining Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) after nearly ten years.

    “A decade later, I feel pretty stoked to be called back in the RIL family and be entrusted with the opportunity to scale JioGames and build a gaming behemoth that India awaits,” Kedia stated.

    Kedia has a diverse professional background. He previously held various positions within the Reliance Group, including executive roles at Viacom18 and Network18. At Viacom18, he served as executive vice president and head of strategy, M&A, data science, and eSports for almost three years. At Network18, he was CEO-digital (non-news) and managed corporate strategy for almost two years.

    Kedia is optimistic about the growth potential of JioGames, especially within the expanding digital landscape of India. He envisions transforming JioGames into a major player in the gaming industry by capitalizing on the strong digital infrastructure that Jio has built.

  • Zee Media appoints Santosh Kumar as editor of Zee Bharat

    Zee Media appoints Santosh Kumar as editor of Zee Bharat

    Mumbai: Zee Bharat the dynamic fusion of news and culture igniting India’s spirit, proudly announces the appointment of Santosh Kumar as its new editor. With a distinguished career spanning over two decades in journalism, Santosh Kumar brings a wealth of experience and an unwavering commitment to journalistic ethics to his new role.

    In his capacity as editor, Santosh Kumar will lead Zee Bharat’s news operations, charting a path of editorial excellence and innovative programming. His profound expertise in political, socio-economic, and investigative journalism will invigorate Zee Bharat’s mission to provide incisive and impartial news coverage. With an impressive track record at esteemed media houses such as India News, Network 18, ABP News, MH1 News, Janmat TV, and BAG Films, Santosh Kumar’s appointment signifies Zee Bharat’s dedication to fostering top-tier journalistic talent.

    Zee Bharat stands as a platform offering a fresh, distinctly Indian perspective, blending storytelling with a celebration of India’s cultural richness and diversity. More than just a news source, its commitment is to amplify the unheard voices of rural India, providing a platform for those who truly represent the diverse fabric of the nation.

    Expressing his excitement about joining Zee Bharat Santosh Kumar stated, “I am honoured to be a part of Zee Bharat and am eager to collaborate with the dynamic team to uphold the highest standards of journalism. The channel’s mission extends far beyond the traditional confines of news broadcasting; we see ourselves as custodians of India’s cultural narrative, tasked with not just reporting events, but capturing the essence of our society. Together, we will strive to deliver news content that resonates with our audience and fosters informed discourse.”

    Zee News managing editor Rahul Sinha shared his enthusiasm for Santosh Kumar’s appointment, highlighting, “We are thrilled to welcome Santosh Kumar to Zee Bharat. His extensive experience and insightful perspective will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our news programming. With Santosh at the helm, we are poised to redefine news broadcasting in India.”

    Prior to rejoining Zee Media, Santosh Kumar held various roles within the organization, including deputy editor at Zee Bihar Jharkhand. Additionally, his academic pursuits have enriched his understanding of societal dynamics, as evidenced by his collaboration with prestigious institutions such as the London School of Economics and the Developing Countries Research Centre at the University of Delhi.

    Santosh Kumar’s appointment reaffirms Zee Bharat’s steadfast dedication to providing trustworthy journalism that resonates with and empowers viewers nationwide.

  • Network18 appoints Sanchayan Paul as CHRO-designate

    Network18 appoints Sanchayan Paul as CHRO-designate

    Mumbai: Sanchayan Paul, a veteran HR professional with more than 25 years of experience, has joined Network18 as a CHRO-designate.

    Sanchayan has traversed many worlds spanning industries and roles and he joins from Modenik Lifestyle, a PE-backed enterprise that he landed into after journeying through companies as varied as Reliance Industries, Thomson Reuters, Eicher Consulting Services, Hutchison Essar Telecom and Vodafone. In between them, he also took an entrepreneurial journey and founded KaryaMitr, a tech-enabled platform for skill building and training aimed at the vernacular workspace.

    A post-graduate in management from XLRI Jamshedpur, Sanchayan graduated from Delhi University. He has also completed his Digital Business Leadership Programme from Cornell University.

    Sanchayan, who lives in Bangalore with his banker wife Lipika and their son, will shift base to Mumbai.

  • Sony Pictures’ Tony Vinciquerra’s perspective on the Zee merger

    Sony Pictures’ Tony Vinciquerra’s perspective on the Zee merger

    MUMBAI: Why did the deal between Zee and Sony Pictures fall through? 

    Sony Pictures Entertainment chairman & CEO CEO Tony Vinciquerra gave some insights on 30 May at a business segment call with investment analysts. 

    Said he: “The Zee situation (the merger deal) would have been very great. It took a very long time to get regulatory approval and in that time, unfortunately, the Zee business deteriorated substantially.”

    Vinciquerra, explained that Sony Pictures has several conversations going on in India  that “could, might, possibly” end up in something that would help  the company in the market place. 

    He added: “But we are not concerned about our survival there. We have a very good busines there. We will survive. We will do well. We have a very large competitor there who is merging with another of our very large competitors. We are not sure how the regulatory process will go over there, but it will probably take some time. Which would give us some time to re-establish and re-energise our business to compete very strongly. But we are looking some other options which may or may not come to fore.”

    Vinciquerra also put paid to reports that the company had settled upon Disney Star’s Gaurav Banerjee to replace India CEO NP Singh who had announced he was retiring. 

    “We are aggressively looking…we have a long list of very good candidates we can choose from,” he elaborated.  

  • Gaurav Banerjee appointed as SPNI’s new CEO

    Gaurav Banerjee appointed as SPNI’s new CEO

    Mumbai: Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has appointed Gaurav Banerjee, formerly with Disney Star, as its new CEO, succeeding NP Singh. Singh recently announced his departure from SPNI India after 25 years with the company, during which he hinted at a succession plan. This development aligns with his announcement.

    At Disney Star, Banerjee managed content for Hindi entertainment and Disney+ Hotstar. He also served as the business head for Star Bharat, overseeing Hindi and English movies, kids and infotainment, and regional channels in the eastern region. According to the Disney Star website, Gaurav played a pivotal role in shaping their diverse entertainment portfolio, covering multiple languages and overseeing original series and films. He managed all content for Hindi entertainment TV, including six of the top ten shows on Star Plus. Additionally, he was responsible for iconic TV brands such as Star Gold, Star Jalsha, Star Bharat, and the National Geographic Channel.

    Gaurav Banerjee also served on the board of directors of the Indian Broadcasting & Digital Federation, the industry forum for media leaders in India, and on the core technical committee of BARC India, the organisation responsible for measuring television ratings in India.