ITV

Category: People

  • iTV Network Appoints Pooja Gupta as VP – Brand & Content Marketing

    iTV Network Appoints Pooja Gupta as VP – Brand & Content Marketing

    MUMBAI: iTV Network, India's fastest growing news and infotainment network appoints Pooja Gupta as Vice President – Brand & Content Marketing. Pooja is a seasoned marketing professional with vast experience in electronic and print media. With a career spread over two decades, she has worked with established names in the media domain such as News Nation, News 24, NewsX, India TV, Business Standard and most recently at Zee Media Corporation Limited, as Head Marketing where she helmed the
    marketing functions and content strategy to build the brand awareness of all its national and regional channels.

    Apart from traditional marketing, she holds a strong expertise in handling complete portfolio of marketing, branding, public relations, events and corporate communications. Her core competence lies in new product launches and content marketing. 

    Pooja is an iTV alumna, and elaborating on the vision that she aims to follow in her new role at iTV Network, she said, "The inherent value of content is realized in its presentation, and likewise, the importance of presentation rests in the ability to deliver the right content, in the right way, to the right audience. I will work towards driving a strong content-led value proposition for our viewers, as well as to amplify the premiumness and the brand iTV network as distinctive competence." 

    Speaking on Pooja's new role with iTV Network, Kartikeya Sharma, Founder and Promoter of iTV Network, said, "With increasing competition, emergence of multiple media and an increasingly transitory audience attention span, Pooja with her experienced blend of marketing acumen will play an instrumental role in helping our marketing activities keep pace with Network's growth as we ramp up to launch more sustainably designed products to meet the demands of our viewers, and seek to reinforce our commitment through engaging and thought provoking content to increase traction with the company's advertiser-customer."

    Pooja is a Post-graduate in Commerce and holds a diploma in management from YMCA, New Delhi.

  • Times Internet announces elevation of Puneet Gupt as its COO

    Times Internet announces elevation of Puneet Gupt as its COO

    MUMBAI: India’s leading digital products company, Times Internet announced the elevation of Puneet Gupt as the COO of Times Internet,with immediate effect.

    Puneet has been associated with the Times Group for over ten years and and since 2011, he has been head of Times Internet’s vast and diverse News business. Under his leadership, the company has been able to reinforce the #1 position of TOI, reach the #1 position in languages and launched products like eTimes, GadgetsNow and NewsPoint to address emerging opportunities. Puneet has played a critical role in Times Internet’s News business registering a stunning 6.5X growth and enabled the company to become the world’s #1 premium digital publisher.

    Announcing Puneet’s elevation Gautam Sinha, CEO of Times Internet said, “Puneet has been an invaluable asset to Times Internet. He is audacious, customer-obsessed and has rich experience in starting, growing and scaling up digital businesses. Puneet will be working closely with me to drive our ambitious growth agenda. He will lead our efforts in making Times Internet the go-to digital destination for every Indian’s information, entertainment and transaction needs.”

    Puneet added, “Times Internet is a company that dares you to think big, and empowers you to make your dreams a reality. I look forward to amplify our growth by identifying and building category defining digital products that become the benchmark in quality and value proposition for our customers.”

    It’s turning out to be quite an eventful year for Times Internet. The company partnered with Tencent to invest in Gaana, acquired and re-launched a video OTT platform MX Play, as well as launched popular gaming platforms like BaaziNow & CricPlay. The company’s dining out platform, Dineout acquired restaurant management software firm Torqus last month.

    With 40+ digital products, Times Internet reaches 400+ million people every month. Most of its digital products are market leaders across news, sports, music, video and more in India.

  • India Today Group CEO Vivek Khanna resigns

    India Today Group CEO Vivek Khanna resigns

    MUMBAI: India Today Group CEO Vivek Khanna has resigned, according to his letter dated 30 November 2018. The resignation was informed to the Bombay Stock Exchange on the same date stating that he plans to pursue other professional opportunities by the company. Khanna would serve his notice period as per his terms of appointment. Khanna joined India Today Group in November 2017.

    Khanna comes with over 25 years of experience in strategy, sales and marketing. Prior to India Today, Khanna was with Hindustan Media Ventures Limited, HT Media, Aviva and Hindustan Lever. An alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad, Khanna began his career with Hindustan Unilever and Aviva Life Insurance. He moved to HT Media in 2008. Since 2013 to 2017, he was the CEO of HMVL.

  • Nikhil Kumar Dubey Joins India News as Executive Editor

    Nikhil Kumar Dubey Joins India News as Executive Editor

    MUMBAI: Nikhil Kumar Dubey, a noted television journalist is beginning a new innings with India News. He has joined India News as Executive Editor, and will be responsible for enhancing the accuracy, suitability and unique news production and programming of India News, known for its direct and unbiased brand of journalism.

    Dubey has had a longstanding association with ABP News – his first stint with the channel dates back to April 2006, under its erstwhile brand Star News. Other media organizations he has been associated with include Aaj Tak, Zee News, IndiaTV and Sahara Samay.

    Having spent over 16 years in the media industry and played crucial roles related to News delivery, Dubey's entry is expected to help India News reinforce its programming to continue reflecting the highest standards of news presentation –keeping fairness, objectivity and balance in the way information is treated.

    Dubey has an LLB degree from Allahabad University and a degree in Mass Communications from the University of Delhi.

  • Sony Entertainment Television appoints Sagnik Mukherjee as AVP marketing

    Sony Entertainment Television appoints Sagnik Mukherjee as AVP marketing

    MUMBAI: Sagnik Mukherjee is set to join Sony Entertainment Television as associate vice president marketing, a source close to the development confirmed to Indiantelevision.com.

    Previously, Mukherjee was brand head (AVP) – brand management and marketing at &TV for five years. Before &TV, Mukherjee worked with The Walt Disney as manager, product planning and programming strategy for all movie channels of the network.

    Equipped with more than 13 years of experience, Mukherjee had previously worked with companies like UTV, Lodha Group, Bennett Coleman and Co, Career Forum and Novar.

    Mukherjee has a degree in BE, Instrumentation from Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology. He is also an alumnus of Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad.

  • Network18 Digital elevates Ranadeep Chakravarty as marketing head

    Network18 Digital elevates Ranadeep Chakravarty as marketing head

    MUMBAI: Network18 Digital, the digital arm of Network18, announced the elevation of Ranadeep Chakravarty to marketing head of Firstpost, News18 and in.com. In his new role, he will lead all marketing, communications and strategic partnerships for Firstpost, News18 (English) and in.com. He will also oversee the public relations and trade communication activities for the three brands.

    Chakravarty brings with him 15 years of experience in both digital and mainline advertising and marketing. With a keen eye for design and vast knowledge in branding, he has significantly contributed in designing a number of commendable digital products, campaigns and brand identities for Network18.

    Prior to joining Network18, he was at the forefront in leading creative and brand strategy duties at various MNCs and Indian agencies, namely Bates Worldwide, Rediffusion, Madison, Rediff.com and LK Saatchi & Saatchi to name a few.

    Speaking about his new role, Chakravarty said, “I am excited to undertake the new responsibilities with Network18. It has been a great journey till now. Our efforts have got Firstpost in the top five leading Indian media digital publications. In my new role, the focus will be to continue to engage a diverse set of audience with strong, relevant and original content. I look forward to leading the team and enhancing the brand resonance through innovative ideas, brand partnerships and unique properties across segments.” 

    The trio of News18.com, Firstpost and in.com continue to stay ahead of the curve by being the go-to destination of online news. Having reached out to 70 million unique visitors, Firstpost and News18 are known to be India’s most influential digital news destinations in English. Additionally, now with the recently re-launched in.com, all three news sites reach out to larger masses that follow the diverse segments of politics, business, sports and entertainment.

    Commenting on the announcement, Network18 digital business head English general news cluster Azim Lalani said, “Network18 is strengthening its foothold in the digital space at a rapid pace. This is visible by the fact that it has acquired a very high number of unique visitors in a short period of time. By bringing the marketing activities of the three properties – Firstpost, News18.com and in.com – under one head, we plan to further align, strengthen and accelerate the growth of immensely popular news portals. Ranadeep has been instrumental in leading the marketing activities and effective brand collaborations at Firstpost. We are confident that his in-depth expertise and exceptional creativity will enable the websites to be recognized as the desired news destination that provides relevant, insightful and hard-hitting news.”

  • ZEE takes one more giant pioneering step – builds a technology platform to satisfy 5 senses of the viewers to offer immersive customer experience!

    ZEE takes one more giant pioneering step – builds a technology platform to satisfy 5 senses of the viewers to offer immersive customer experience!

    Mumbai: ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (“ZEE”), a global media and entertainment powerhouse, has taken a yet another pioneering giant leap by securing a United States (US) Patent on a technology platform developed in the Silicon Valley at its very own – ZEE Media Lab. This unique platform stems from the Vedic culture of offering an immersive experience to the viewers, satisfying all the 5 senses.

    Built on robust and state of the art technologies like 3D Audio, Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Digital Scent, Holograms and touch, this platform aims to transform the viewers’ home environment by providing exceptional immersive experience. Apart from offering a unique viewing experience in delivering extraordinary entertainment and information-based content, the platform will also enable the viewers to touch, feel, smell and experience products, with a seamless transaction (e-commerce) ecosystem.

    Be it immersive entertainment content, or informative education-based solutions, or gaming, or e-commerce; this comprehensive technology platform is built to cater to every single need of the viewer.

    • Immersive Entertainment – The platform is empowered with 3D Audio, AR, VR, Digital scent, holograms and touch, to transform the viewers’ living rooms into an immersive mode, be it a serene beach or an action-packed fight scene.
    • Immersive Education – The platform is capable to not just educate the viewers about a given topic, say an internal combustion engine, but is also equipped to offer an immersive journey for the viewer right into the cylinders of the combustion engine, taking the learning experience to an altogether different level.
    • Gaming – The platform will not just offer a 3D gaming experience but will also give the players a unique experience to feel the heat of an ongoing combat with the opponent, and even experience the smell of the battle field.
    • Entertainment Commerce – The platform will enable the viewers to order any product which they witness being consumed or used by the lead protagonist on the screen, at the touch of a button. Viewers will be able to smell the perfume worn by their favorite actor / actress on screen and purchase the same within seconds. If the viewer owns a 3D printer, the platform is also capable of even printing the food which one watches on the screen!
    • Home Environment Control – The platform will also be equipped to control the viewers’ home environment, right from the lights, security solutions, to heating, ventilation & air conditioning equipment, ensuring that the viewers’ immersive experience while consuming content is not interrupted at any stage. 

    Speaking on this revolutionary step, ZEE’s Chairman, Subhash Chandra said, “At ZEE, we envisioned 4-5 years back, that the overall media landscape is poised to evolve at an extremely rapid pace, with content companies blending into technology companies. Hence, we started investing our time and energy in building a technology for the future, which enhances the content viewing experience by many folds. ZEE’s lab in the Silicon Valley was set up in 2016 to create this robust platform, and I’m very glad that the US Patent is secured. It is a concrete step in realizing our vision of transforming ourselves from a media & entertainment powerhouse to a technology Company, offering immersive experiences”.

    Adding to this statement, Amit Goenka, CEO, Z5 Global said, “We are extremely excited to offer this unique immersive experience to our viewers. Under the guidance of our visionary Chairman, we are building this unique platform which is futuristic in nature. The US Patent is a major milestone achieved in this process giving us the required level of confidence and reassurance. This is just the beginning of an extraordinary journey of transforming the viewers content viewing experience”.

    While the five senses have not yet been deployed on a commercial scale, with the grant of the US Patent, ZEE can now make the platform available to millions of users across the world. The commercially viable prototype will be ready in the next 12 months. This emboldens ZEE’s plan to target mainstream global viewers across US, Europe, Asia, China and Latin America.

    ZEE Media Lab will continue to innovate in the Silicon Valley to work towards integrating technologies with a sheer focus on enhancing the overall viewer experience.

  • IndiaCast rejigs revenue top brass in bid to grow across markets, platforms

    IndiaCast rejigs revenue top brass in bid to grow across markets, platforms

    MUMBAI: In a move aimed at synergizing processes and business opportunities to scale up revenues, IndiaCast, the domestic, international and digital distribution arm of Viacom18 and TV18, today, announced an organizational rejig of its revenue management structure.

    Amit Arora, who has exceptionally steered the domestic business for IndiaCast to greater heights over the years, has been elevated as president, India affiliate business.  Additionally, Arora will also drive the South Asia business along with linear distribution with telcos.

    Govind Shahi, a seasoned veteran, known for his sharp & strategic mindset, will now take over the mandate of heading the International business for IndiaCast. As the International business head, Shahi will oversee and drive business and revenues across functions and regions. All regional and vertical heads would report to him.

    Commenting on the organizational restructuring, IndiaCast group CEO, Anuj Gandhi commented, “As technology opens up newer viewing platforms and content evolves in both duration and variation, the business of distribution and syndication of content is evolving rapidly – in terms of new markets and new avenues of showcase, thereby ensuring that monetization opportunities are scaling up beyond traditional markets and platforms. This organizational rejig allows us to leverage the existing capabilities and strengths of our leaders and their teams in growing revenues and to explore new opportunities across various technologies and markets globally”.

    Sachin Gokhale, previously responsible for nurturing and successfully developing and rapidly growing the Middle East and Africa region and has managed our Asia Pacific & Business operations verticals, will now assume the new role of heading the Americas’ Business. Gokhale would be responsible for expansion and growth of business to new markets in the Americas and dialing up various digital initiatives in the region. 

    Debkumar Dasgupta, who continues to impressively grow the global syndication business, will take on the added responsibility of heading the Middle East and Africa region.

    Both Amit Arora and Govind Shahi will continue to report into Anuj Gandhi.

  • Murdoch promotes 5 top execs to Fox ahead of Disney deal

    Murdoch promotes 5 top execs to Fox ahead of Disney deal

    MUMBAI: After Disney won the bid to acquire 21st Century Fox (21CF) assets against Comcast earlier this year, future CEO and chairman Lachlan Murdoch has set key leadership positions for the properties left behind in the merger that will now be called new Fox.

    Steve Tomsic, currently deputy CFO for 21CF, will be promoted to chief financial officer at new Fox. Eric Shanks, currently chief operating officer and executive producer at Fox Sports, will become CEO of Fox Sports.

    In a statement, Murdoch said, “Collectively they bring to Fox the vision, entrepreneurial spirit and proven track records to position Fox to seize future opportunities for its leading and deeply resonant brands across sports, news and entertainment.”

    Mike Biard will become president of operations and distribution for Fox, another key revenue function. His current title is president of distribution for the Fox Networks Group.

    Paul Cheesbrough will remain chief technology officer, but his job will be expanded to include oversight of the company’s direct-to-consumer platforms in anticipation of launching a streaming service.

    Marianne Gambelli will see her portfolio expand as she becomes president of ad sales. She manages ad sales for the Fox News channel and the Fox business network.

    Tomsic said, “We are fortunate to be able to continue working with these enormously talented executives who have helped make our businesses the incredible successes they are today.”

    The appointments of the soon-to-be leadership team will take effect after the Disney transaction closes. Disney is buying Fox’s television production and movie studio, FX cable channel, National Geographic, stake in Hulu and such international operations Star India.

  • Asia TV appoints Kaushik Izardar as Chief Operating Officer (COO)

    Asia TV appoints Kaushik Izardar as Chief Operating Officer (COO)

    Asia TV is a platform initiated to engage the British born Asians and the ethnic immigrants to stay informed with ongoing Local community updates to strengthen community networking. Superstar TV is in the Bollywood and Lifestyle space . MITiVi OTT Platform offers a very engaging user interface with popular categories for live streaming, VODs, Movie library, overseas content with live TV and education.

    Kaushik Izardar

    Kaushik has been tasked with leading the charge of two channels apart from creating the B2B media business on Asia television Network and B2C on MiTiVi platform . Kaushik comes with a robust body of experience spanning almost two decades across Television,digital, media and entertainment and pharmaceutical sectors.
    Prior to joining Asia Television, Kaushik has worked with industry leaders including Viacom18 Media, Zee Tv, INX Media, Fulford India Limited ( Subsidiary of Merck & Co,USA ) and so on, while also testing entrepreneurial waters.
    Commenting on the new appointment, Taha Coburn Kutay, CEO – Asia Television India/ Chairman –United Kingdom Asian Business council, says, " We are thrilled to have Kaushik join us to strengthen the team. He brings invaluable insights that will be instrumental in shaping our journey towards achieving the leadership position in the media space."
    Speaking about his role, Kaushik , " It has indeed been a pleasure to be a part of such an esteemed organisation. Having a natural flair for commercial and sales, I look forward to add more value to the firm with my abilities in managing large scale business operations. I am glad to join the leadership team and am sure this is going to be an interesting and learning journey ahead."
    Kaushik has a Doctorate in Philosophy(PhD) and completed the thesis under Dr Piyush Sinha ( IIM- Ahmedabad ) and has a MBA in marketing . Apart from that he has completed his senior strategic management from IIM Calcutta.