Category: People

  • Karan Baikampadi joins DeadAnt as head of business

    Karan Baikampadi joins DeadAnt as head of business

    Mumbai: DeadAnt a new-age media and entertainment business with a focus on Indian and international comedy, has appointed Karan Baikampadi as the head of business. With a stellar career spanning over 14 years in the media and entertainment industry, Karan brings a wealth of experience in team building, revenue generation, and workflow optimization. His last stint was at Netflix, where he was part of the global scaled launch team. His expertise includes successfully ideating and executing branded content, managing marketing campaigns for India and APAC at Netflix, and transitioning to the product team to establish global launch hubs in Mexico and India.

    During his distinguished career, Karan has played pivotal roles at renowned companies such as Viacom18, TVF, and ALTBalaji. Karan has led teams at MTV India and TVF, where he was responsible for providing innovative solutions and executing large-scale branded content initiatives. His role in creating and licensing fiction content in the comedy and kids genres during ALT Balaji’s launch phase further showcases his versatility and strategic vision.

    Speaking on the new appointment DeadAnt founder Ravina Rawal shared, ‘’We are thrilled to have Karan onboard. At DeadAnt, Karan will play an important role of accelerating growth across all three verticals and expanding the team in alignment with the company’s vision. He will be collaborating with partners across media and entertainment to build and launch new IPs that foster artistic creativity and collaboration.”

    In his new role at DeadAnt, Karan expresses his excitement, stating, “I’m thrilled about the potential and scale that comedy has in India, and DeadAnt is making groundbreaking moves in the right direction. In just four years, the company has solidified its position as an authentic and credible voice in the comedy space, not only through its online publication but also its creative studio and events division. I am particularly excited to work with Ravina, who brings unmatched expertise and knowledge of the craft’s impact. With 20 years of experience in media and entertainment, she has an incredible hold on the pulse of international comedy and has been following the comedy scene in India and abroad.”

    Karan will be taking on deeper exploration of regional markets and strengthening the international network with initiatives for the coming year. DeadAnt is India’s leading voice in comedy and platform for all the latest developments related to comedy in India and abroad. They also have a creative studio that specialises in content solutions in the space of pop culture. Additionally, they also organise ‘Laughing Dead’ a two-day comedy festival, featuring 35 of India’s biggest comedians at Mehboob studios, Mumbai.

  • NXTDIGITAL appoints Viresh Dhaibar as chief general counsel

    NXTDIGITAL appoints Viresh Dhaibar as chief general counsel

    Mumbai: NXTDIGITAL, the digital media division of technology-led customer experience company Hinduja Global Solutions Ltd (HGS), with a presence in digital television via cable and satellite, broadband, enterprise services, OTT aggregation and content syndication has announced the appointment of Viresh Dhaibar as chief general counsel – with legal, regulatory and governance responsibility across all media verticals.

    Viresh is a highly respected and accomplished legal veteran in the media and entertainment industry – with a career spanning over three decades. He has worked with leading blue-chip organisations like Munjal Auto Industries Ltd (Hero Group), Taj Television India Pvt Ltd and Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. He brings extensive experience in regulatory compliance, litigation, and contributing to consultation papers issued by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).

    Viresh is an ex-member of the Legal Committee of the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) and has demonstrated exceptional ability and experience in various legal forums, including the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT), High Courts, and the Supreme Court.

    Commenting on his appointment, HGS whole-time director and head of the media businesses Vynsley Fernandes said “Viresh’s appointment is in line with building an exceptional leadership team – as we scale up our digital media businesses rapidly. He is a forward thinking leader and we’re sure NXT will benefit immensely from his incisive legal analysis and profound understanding of the legal and regulatory landscape in India”.

    Viresh said “I am  delighted to be a part of the highly respected and dynamic media group and look forward to bringing my over three decades of experience in the industry to this role. My commitment will be to uphold the highest standards in the broadcasting and distribution business whilst utilizing my skill set in regulatory compliance, litigation, advisory services and strategic foresight.”.

  • Kavita Sagar moves on from IN10 Media Network

    Kavita Sagar moves on from IN10 Media Network

    Mumbai: IN10 Media Network revenue head Kavita Sagar has moved on from her role at the company. Sagar’s departure comes after years of dedicated service to the company, during which she played an instrumental role in driving revenue growth and fostering strategic partnerships.

    Sagar joined IN10 Media Network in 2019 and has been an integral part of the company’s success story. Her exceptional leadership, innovative strategies, and strong business acumen have significantly contributed to the company’s revenue generation and market expansion initiatives.

    On the development, IN10 Media Network managing director Aditya Pittie said, “Kavita’s role has been crucial in propelling our network’s growth journey, and we deeply appreciate her invaluable contributions to the business. I extend my gratitude for her dedication and wish her the very best in her future endeavours.”

    Reflecting on her time at the network, Sagar said, “My time at IN10 Media Network has been truly remarkable. I’m thankful for the enriching experiences, and the unwavering support I’ve encountered throughout my tenure. I hold firm belief in the company’s ongoing success and extend my heartfelt wishes to the entire team for a prosperous future.”

  • Chandan Das elevated to region head for Star Jalsha

    Chandan Das elevated to region head for Star Jalsha

    Mumbai: Former group head of Star Plus & Disney Kids ads sale business Chandan Das, has been elevated to the role of region head for Star Jalsha, Jalsha Movies and Jalsha Kiran. Das made the announcement via his Linkedin post.

    He has over 12 years of experience and has worked in HT Media and Info Edge, serving Disney Star for nine years. In his new role, he will report to national head – Ad sales for the Bengal and Odisha cluster Ashish Gupta. Das started his career as a recruitment officer at Bharti Axa Life Insurance and then went on to become a management trainee at Lakme Lever. He is an alumni of West Bengal University of Technology, Kolkata.

  • Viacom18 Sports appoints Rohit Dhawan as VP – customer marketing

    Viacom18 Sports appoints Rohit Dhawan as VP – customer marketing

    Mumbai: Viacom18 Sports has welcomed Rohit Dhawan as their newly appointed VP for customer marketing. Rohit Dhawan took to LinkedIn to announce this exciting news.

    In his new role, he will assume the responsibility of spearheading the customer marketing division for prominent sports properties such as IPL, BCCI cricket, ISL, and more.

    With over 19 years of professional experience, Dhawan has a solid background in comprehending consumer behavior, cultural insights, and driving business growth. He has previously held roles with esteemed organizations, including ESPN Star Sports, where he served as manager of research and planning, and Mindshare, where he held the position of VP of content plus for more than 11 years.

  • Mona Jain to lead Zee Media’s unified sales division in media transformation

    Mona Jain to lead Zee Media’s unified sales division in media transformation

    Mumbai: Zee Media is all set to embark on a transformative journey that will redefine its customer service approach and elevate the overall client experience. In response to the ever-evolving media landscape, Zee Media is consolidating the digital (direct revenue) and linear sales functions, into a unified sales division.

    Taking the helm of the unified sales division is Mona Jain, a distinguished leader who has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and unwavering dedication to the organisation. This strategic consolidation aims to create a holistic and unified approach to meet clients’ diverse needs and expectations and shall draw synergies to fuel the sales division to elevate client experience. The result will be an improved coverage, stronger collaboration, and a heightened level of customer satisfaction.

    “I am truly honoured and excited to lead this unified sales division. Our mission is to bring together the best of both worlds – digital and linear sales – to deliver unparalleled solutions to our clients. With our cohesive team and unwavering commitment, we’re set to redefine excellence in advertising,” added Jain.

    The unified sales division will be better equipped to offer innovative advertising strategies that span both digital and television platforms. Training sessions and workshops shall be conducted to ensure that team members have the tools and resources needed to excel in their roles.

  • Kaumudi Mahajan exits from Meta

    Kaumudi Mahajan exits from Meta

    Mumbai: Kaumudi Mahajan has announced the position of head of content strategy at Viacom18’s Colors. Mahajan shared the news of her move through a post on LinkedIn.

    In the post she said, “My passion lies in the world of entertainment and so even after spending 15 years in it, it has kept me excited, curious and involved. I am grateful to work on brands that I truly admire. When I first started working, I was in awe of the impact Colors had by talking about social realities and now as I experience this brand, I am truly wowed. Looking forward to an incredible journey and can’t wait to learn and unlearn everything I know.”

    In her previous role at Meta, Mahajan served as the head of Entertainment Partnerships. During her tenure, she collaborated with diverse teams to unlock substantial value for partners. She also harnessed the power of pop culture to create engaging opportunities on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.

  • Talod Foods welcomes Samit Shah as chief operating officer

    Talod Foods welcomes Samit Shah as chief operating officer

    Mumbai: Talod Food Products Private Limited (TFPPL) is thrilled to welcome  Samit Shah as its chief operating officer, effective from 16 October 2023. Samit Shah is an MBA Gold Medalist and brings over 21 years of extensive experience in sales marketing, business strategies and business growth, brand solutions, Experiential marketing, and more. His impressive journey includes his most recent role as Vice President and Regional Director of Impact Properties (Activation, Events, Sponsorships) and digital business at Radio Mirchi (ENIL) for the West and South India Regions.

    Samit Shah’s journey started with Radio Mirchi as the head of marketing, and he quickly climbed the ladder, showcasing his exceptional leadership. Prior to his role at Radio Mirchi, he also contributed his expertise as a Team Lead in Trade Marketing and Operations at Coca Cola India and he started his career with One Advertising Services Ltd as a Sr. Executive Client Servicing post his MBA.

    Shah’s ‘business growth’ strategy aligns perfectly with Talod Foods’ commitment to innovation and excellence. His strategic thinking, exceptional leadership, and extensive experience are expected to play a pivotal role in driving the company’s growth and success in the competitive food industry. Talod Foods and the company look forward to leveraging his expertise to continue delivering exceptional products and experiences to its customers.

  • NXTDIGITAL appoints Sooraj Keswani as chief customer experience officer

    NXTDIGITAL appoints Sooraj Keswani as chief customer experience officer

    Mumbai: NXTDIGITAL, the rapidly growing digital media division of technology-led customer experience company Hinduja Global Solutions Ltd. (HGS), with a presence in digital television via cable and satellite, broadband, enterprise services, OTT aggregation and content syndication is in expansion mode – launching a slew of digital products whilst expanding its footprint across India.

    Focusing on changing consumer preferences and enhancing the quality of service to its customers, the group has appointed veteran communications and customer engagement executive Sooraj Keswani as its Chief Customer Experience Officer. With over three decades of experience in media, retail, marketing and enterprise consulting across leading companies like The Indian Express Newspapers, Madison, Concept Communication, Hansa Cequity and Mirum India, Sooraj will lead the organisation’s initiatives in enhancing customer experience across all product portfolios. He will work with the group’s large pan-India franchisee base to develop and deliver products customised to hyperlocal preferences. As an extension of his role, Sooraj will also manage the branding and marketing functions.

    Commenting on this appointment, HGS whole time director and head of the media group, Vynsley Fernandes said, “We are delighted to welcome Sooraj Keswani to HGS and the NXT Media Group. His diverse experience across media, communications, technology-led marketing and building customer experience aligns perfectly with our company’s digital vision for the future. We look forward to the exciting journey ahead with him at the helm driving delightful experiences for our customers.”

    Keswani said, “The Hinduja Group is known for its integrity and customer focus. NXT Media Group has aggressive growth plans across its business verticals and I am very excited to join them in this journey to scale customer experience and brands to the next level.”

  • Avinash Pandey re-elected NBDA president for the year 2023-24

    Avinash Pandey re-elected NBDA president for the year 2023-24

    Mumbai: Avinash Pandey has been re-elected the president of the News Broadcasters & Digital Association (NBDA). Mathrubhumi Printing & Publishing Co. Ltd., managing director M.V. Shreyams Kumar has been re-elected as vice president. News24 Broadcast India Ltd. chairperson-cum-managing director Anuradha Prasad Shukla will continue to be the honorary treasurer of the NBDA for the year 2023-2024.

    The other members on the NBDA Board are : –

    Rajat Sharma, Chairman – Independent News Services Pvt. Ltd.

    M.K. Anand, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer – Times Network – Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd

    Rahul Joshi, Managing Director – TV18 Broadcast Ltd.

    I. Venkat, Director – Eenadu Television Pvt. Ltd.

    Kalli Purie Bhandal, Vice-Chairperson & Managing Director – TV Today Network Ltd.

    Sonia Singh, Editorial Director, NDTV – New Delhi Television Ltd.

    Anil Kumar Malhotra, Advisor, Zee Media Corporation Ltd.