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Category: People

  • Time Warner to be renamed Warner Media, Turner CEO exits

    Time Warner to be renamed Warner Media, Turner CEO exits

    MUMBAI: AT&T announced on Friday, its first full day of owning Time Warner, that the operating businesses in the $85 billion acquisition will be contained in an entity called WarnerMedia. The names of the operating units — HBO, CNN, Warner Bros., TNT, etc. — will stay the same.

    AT&T’s media business CEO John Stankey who is tasked  with running WarnerMedia after integrating it into AT&T, also announced the exit of Turner CEO John Martin.
    Those who reported to Martin — Turner President David Levy, Turner International President Gerhard Zeiler and CNN Worldwide President Jeff Zucker — report now to Stankey.

    “This initial Turner org structure will allow me to work more closely with more Turner leaders and accelerate my personal learning of the business,” Stankey wrote in a memo to his “new colleagues.”

    The heads of WarnerMedia’s two other divisions — HBO CEO Richard Plepler and Warner Bros. CEO Kevin Tsujihara will stay in their jobs.

    Among Time Warner’s top executives, however, Stankey said only general counsel Paul Cappuccio will join the new regime.

    That means former Time Warner chairman and CEO Jeff Bewkes, whom Stankey profusely thanked for his support throughout the deal’s 21-month approval process, will retire after a brief transition.

    WarnerMedia, to meet its goal of $1.5 billion in cost savings, is expected to announce further job cuts.

    Stankey promised daily operations would see “little change,” but he didn’t mince words about further paring of the old Time Warner.

    He further added, “Many of the redundant corporate support functions between our companies at the HQ/holding company level will be eliminated in the coming months,”
    Getting back to the name change, Stankey cited lingering confusion between Time Warner the media company and, until its takeover by Charter Communications, Time Warner the cable company. “Our consumer research suggests this confusion isn’t going away,” he said.

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  • Markand Adhikari re-appointed by TV Vision as MD for three years

    Markand Adhikari re-appointed by TV Vision as MD for three years

    MUMBAI: TV Vision has re-appointed Markand Adhikari as managing director of the company for next three years. The appointment is subject to approval from the members at the ensuing General Meeting of the company.

    Adikari began his career with an advertising agency in the eighties along with his brother. He was instrumental in creating a successful association with national network Doordarshan, enabling SABTNL to become the first content production house to be listed on the stock exchange in 1995.

    He has more than 35 years of experience in the media and entertainment industry. He has also enjoyed a decent run as a film producer. Adhikari serves as chairman at Media Private Limited (formerly known as SAB events and governance).

    Under his leadership, the group became the first publicly listed television production company in the country. He has spearheaded many ventures like SAB TV, Janmat, Mee Marathi, and Mastiii.

    Adhikari holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Bombay.

  • Cyma Zarghami exits Nickelodeon; Sarah Levy named interim head

    Cyma Zarghami exits Nickelodeon; Sarah Levy named interim head

    MUMBAI: Nickelodeon Group president Cyma Zarghami has stepped down from her position after 30 years with the network.

    While Viacom conducts a comprehensive search for a successor to lead Nickelodeon, Sarah Levy, chief operating officer of Viacom Media Networks, will lead the brand on an interim basis.

    During the transition, Levy will work closely with Nickelodeon’s leadership team to manage the brand’s operations. Their focus will be to successfully launch Nickelodeon’s largest-ever content pipeline of more than 800 new episodes and accelerate the brand’s push into new and next-generation viewing platforms, film, live experiences and consumer products, international media reports stated.

    Zarghami joined Nickelodeon in 1985 and was named its president in 2006. Under her leadership, Nickelodeon has become a leading global brand for kids, spanning linear and multi-platform programming, film, live experiences and consumer products. Along the way, Zarghami recruited and cultivated high-performing, diverse talent that always reflected the next generation of kids, and the brand continues to attract the industry’s leading creatives and personalities. Today, Nickelodeon has the highest share of total viewing in kids’ television.

    Nickelodeon, now in its 39th year, includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, digital, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc., which is a premier global media brand that creates entertainment content including television programs, motion pictures, short-form content, games, consumer products, podcasts, live events and social media experiences for audiences in 183 countries.

    Viacom president and CEO Bob Bakish was quoted in a report as saying, “Over the course of her career, Cyma has played an integral role in growing Nickelodeon into the dominant force in kids’ entertainment. Her instincts for creating content and experiences that kids love have been vital to the brand’s success around the world. Looking to the future, we are excited to build on this strong foundation as we continue to evolve the business and connect with young audiences in new and innovative ways. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Cyma for her leadership and wish her every success.”

    Viacom’s media networks, including Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Paramount Network, VH1, TV Land, CMT, Logo, Channel 5 (UK), Telefe (Argentina), Colors (India) and Paramount Channel, reach approximately 4.3 billion cumulative television subscribers worldwide.

  • Barkha Dutt to launch her own English news channel?

    Barkha Dutt to launch her own English news channel?

    MUMBAI: Another one bites the bullet. The buzz has been gathering pace that celebrity journalist-editor Barkha Dutt is gradually ammo-ing up to launch her own English-language TV news channel. In doing so, the former face of NDTV’s prime time shows will follow in the footsteps of some of her other famous colleagues like Rajdeep Sardesai (now re-christened CNN-IBN) and Arnab Goswami (Republic TV).

    Apparently, she has found a bunch of backers in New Delhi and Haryana who are willing to fund her foray into a full-fledged TV news channel.  

    While its name and launch date is still in the works, Dutt’s star power is guaranteed to generate plenty of excitement and curiosity in the news industry and among audiences in the days to come. 

    Indiantelevision.com tried reaching out to Dutt for confirmation of the same, but she didn’t respond to queries. 

    It’s interesting that she is taking the news channel plunge at a time when the fortunes are on the way down for her former boss, NDTV’s Prannoy Roy, who has been facing a barrage of intimidating requests from the income tax and other government departments. In recent times, NDTV has had to cut down on manpower too and Dutt was amongst the first ones to let go. 

    This isn’t the first time Dutt – who shot to fame during her Kargil reportage with NDTV in the late 1990s – has been linked with the launch of an English news channel. In 2017, the Financial Express had carried a report about her joining hands with Network18’s founder and former owner Raghav Bahl to set up a news channel.

    Dutt, who continues to draw sharp reactions from TV audiences, has taken quite a diverse set of projects on her plate after her 21-year association with NDTV.

    After the rather abrupt end of her collaboration with former Indian Express editor-in-chief-turned-entrepreneur Shekhar Gupta at the digital venture The Print, Dutt went on to establish a company called MoJo, which some say also has links to mobile journalism.

    Under the MoJo banner, the 46-year-old interviews major newsmakers in her inimitable style. She also writes columns for the Hindustan Times, Washington Post and The Week.

    Known as a frequent baiter of Republic TV boss Arnab Goswami on Twitter, it would be interesting to observe the tone and tenor of the TV news channel helmed by her.

    Other details of the news venture, including the applicant-company’s name, are still a bit sketchy as it is not clear yet whether an application to start a full-fledged TV news channel has already been made by Dutt and her partners at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, which has started clearing channel proposals after a nine-month hiatus.

    With over six million Twitter followers, Dutt remains one of media’s most important voices despite severe trolling on social media for her known viewpoints — dubbed controversial by a section of India — on issues linked to Kashmir and Pakistan.

    It now remains to be seen whether she still has it in her to shape the political and social narrative in her second coming.  

    Also Read:

    Barkha Dutt bids adieu to NDTV; hints at new venture

    Arnab-Barkha face-off amplifies disturbing trends

    The rise and fall of English news’ TV viewership

    English TV news channels to return to BARC fold from midnight 26 May

  • Shishir Gupta elevated as head content acquisition sports at SPNI

    Shishir Gupta elevated as head content acquisition sports at SPNI

    MUMBAI: It’s that time of the year when executives in media get their promotions. And it’s time for Shishir Gupta to celebrate as well. Gupta has been has been elevated as head of content acquisition and licencing – sports at Sony Pictures Networks India. Gupta was hitherto AVP content acquisition and syndication – sports at the company

    Prior to that he was Ten Sports as a content acquisition and syndication lead when it was acquired from Zee Entertainment Enterprises by Sony Pictures Networks India. Since then Sony Pictures has been digesting the acquisition and placing executives from Ten Sports in key positions in the Sony network in India.  The sports business for SPNI is headed by Rajesh Kaul. 

    Gutpa has over 13 years of extensive experience in varied roles in broadcast media and sports. With an in-depth knowledge of sports broadcasting, his expertise lies in content acquisition and syndication, strategic partnerships, business planning and forecasting and contracts. 

    He started his carrier with Zee Sports as an executive- content acquisition and then moved onto Essel Sports as part of the team that was setting up the India Cricket League. He then moved back to Ten Sports rising up the ranks until the acquisition by SPNI. 

    He holds a Masters in Commerce degree from Mumbai University and later pursued an MBA in marketing.  

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  • Sunil Lulla joins Balaji Telefilms as group CEO

    Sunil Lulla joins Balaji Telefilms as group CEO

    MUMBAI: Indian production company Balaji Telefilms has appointed Sunil Lulla as its new group chief executive officer. His new role will be effective from 25 May 2018. He will replace Sameer Nair who quit the company to join Applause Entertainment.

    Speaking on his appointment, Lulla says, “I am incredibly excited to join Balaji Telefilms at this stage of the company’s evolution into a B2C media business. Balaji Telefilms has a great combination of engaging and compelling content and distribution on the back of explosive growth in online video consumption. Balaji Telefilms is well positioned to become a leading player in the Indian media sector and I am motivated to join the leadership team and all the great people that have fuelled Balaji Telefilms success so far.”

    Balaji Telefilms managing director Shobha Kapoor adds, “We are pleased that Sunil will be joining us as group CEO and are confident that he is the right person to lead Balaji to the next stage of growth and value creation. He is a seasoned leader with a stellar leadership reputation and brings with him a wealth of consumer business experience. The Indian media sector is undergoing massive change which also creates enormous opportunities for us at Balaji Telefilms and Sunil will lead the efforts with the rest of the team to seize these opportunities and create value for all our stakeholders.”

    Lulla has over three decades of experience across media, entertainment and broadcast industry. In his last stint, he was the chairman and managing director of ad agency Grey Group India. He has worked with Saregama, MTV, Sony and other networks and launched the TV network for Bennett Coleman & Co, The Times Television Network.

  • Lachlan Murdoch to lead New Fox after Disney sale, James is out

    Lachlan Murdoch to lead New Fox after Disney sale, James is out

    MUMBAI: The Murdochs-led 21st Century Fox has unveiled a new executive structure of the upcoming New Fox group after Disney buys out its other assets as proposed.

    Lachlan Murdoch will be chairman and CEO while father Rupert Murdoch will hold on as co-chairman. Since 2015, Lachlan has been executive chairman of 21st Century Fox. He works directly with the company’s senior management and board of directors in developing global strategies and setting the overall corporate vision. He also currently serves as co-chairman of News Corp and executive chairman of NOVA Entertainment, an Australian media company.

    Speaking on the changes, Lachlan Murdoch said: “We have worked through the winter ‘standing up’ a reimagined independent Fox. I am very pleased that John has agreed to take on the role of chief operating officer, and together we look forward to making further announcements as to the management and structure of this new Fox as we get closer to closing our proposed transaction with Disney.”

    21st Century Fox CEO James Murdoch has found no place at New Fox, which is news and sports focussed. Instead, James will be launching his own venture.

    Chief financial officer John Nallen will be the chief operating officer but current president Peter Rice didn’t find a seat at the helm. “The opportunity to reshape a business strategy and an operational approach uniquely tailored to the new Fox is truly compelling. I look forward to joining Lachlan as we begin to establish new Fox,” said Nallen.

    “The new Fox will begin as the only media company solely focused on the domestic market; focused on what Americans love best—sports, news and entertainment, built and delivered for a US audience,” said Rupert Murdoch.

    New Fox will have Fox News, Fox Business Network, Fox Broadcasting Company, Fox Sports and Fox Television Stations Group as well as sports cable networks FS1, FS2, Fox Deportes and Big Ten Network.

    A while ago, the Walt Disney Company agreed to a pay $52.4bn for Fox’s other assets including film and TV studios, US cable networks and international channels. Disney also gets a shot at National Geographic, FX and FXX, and even a 30 per cent interest in Hulu, which gives it a controlling stake in the US streamer. The deal also comes with stakes in Sky and Endemol Shine Group.

  • Former ESPN president joins rival Perform Group

    Former ESPN president joins rival Perform Group

    MUMBAI: The former president of ESPN, John Skipper, has been hired as the executive chairman of sports media company Perform Group. Skipper left ESPN in December 2017.

    Less than six months after his departure from ESPN, Skipper will soon be competing against his former long-time employer. Skipper was with ESPN for over 20 years and was president for six.

    The Perform Group is based in London with offices around the world. Perform currently owns and manages 10 D2C properties worldwide that reach more than 170 million fans per month with Goal.com being its largest property with nearly 100 million users per month as well as other strategic, long-term partnerships with the NFL, FIBA, WTA and CONMEBOL.

    “Perform Group’s platform and expertise, coupled with its success in launching subscription services in Germany, Japan and Canada, provides a model we intend to replicate around the world,” Skipper has said.

    Skipper’s appointment stated that he would oversee all of Perform’s operations and strategy but both his statement and that of Simon Denyer, the founder and chief executive of Perform, implied that Skipper would be focusing on DAZN.

    Recently, Perform Group and NBA have announced a multi-year partnership that will see Perform manage the league’s official websites in more than 15 international markets, including Argentina, Australia, Canada, India, Japan, Mexico and Spain.

    DAZN, pronounced ‘Da Zone,’ has been compared to Netflix. Available in five countries—Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Japan and Canada—DAZN gives sports fans access to thousands of live sports events for a monthly subscription fee, usually around $20 (Rs 1345).

    Perform has not yet announced which countries will be next as part of that global rollout but it is unlikely that Skipper will soon be engaged in bidding wars against his former company. Most American sports rights are unavailable to be bought for several years.

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  • PROMAXBDA INDIA 2018 ANNOUNCE PRASOON JOSHI AS THEIR AWARDS CHAIR

    PROMAXBDA INDIA 2018 ANNOUNCE PRASOON JOSHI AS THEIR AWARDS CHAIR

    MUMBAI: Prasoon Joshi, Chairman of McCann Worldgroup Asia Pacific, and CEO & Chief Creative Officer of McCann Worldgroup India, is to chair the 15th edition of the Promax BDA Awards and Conference. An internationally acclaimed advertising professional, Prasoon comes with several awards under his belt, including Cannes Lions, Clio and D&AD. 

    Prasoon has worked with iconic brands and award-winning films alike, and his campaigns with UNICEF, Pulse Polio, HIV Breakthrough, the critical Malnutrition Campaign and UN’s stand up against Poverty, has not only moved hearts but also impacted mass consciousness. 

    While Prasoon has his finger on the pulse of our nation, he realises that human emotions are the same all over the world — it is their expression alone that is different. So, when it comes to promotion, Prasoon says, “It doesn’t matter if the promo is 15-second or 90-second long; for the linear, digital, OTT, VOF, SVOD or any other alphabet soup. It is still the ideas, great scripts, flawless editing that perfectly conveys the powerful message that stays in the hearts and minds of the viewers.” 

    Speaking about this year’s theme Memory Makers, Prasoon says, “Promo makers are content creators who have to do a lot with little. Not everyone has what it takes to be part of this outstanding group of Memory Makers. You have to be a jack-of-all-trades: a writer, editor, producer, and director. In 30 seconds, you have to tell a story which excites, entices or intrigues a viewer to sample or try a show.” Prasoon is looking forward to saluting these unsung heroes of great promos who have given their blood, sweat and tears for reinventing and making developments in the creative industry.

    This year’s Masterclass promises to pack a punch with its incredible line up of creative masterminds: Glenn Urquhart, Puja Vohra, Bex Schwartz, Tim Horwood and Harry Ead.

    Harry Ead, Design Director at DixonBaxi, will be sharing valuable insights about three landmark projects starting with the biggest rebrand in the Eurosport’s 26-year history through to the most recent work in redefining the Olympic Games for a new generation.

    Next comes Bex Schwartz’s roundtable session with Rob Middleton and Pete Bishop about the differences between life at a network and life as a vendor? Find out the answer to the age-old question: is it better to work at a network or at a vendor?

    The masterclass sessions follow the much sought after Bootcamp and this year, PromaxBDA India has 2 workshops – Marketing Workshop by social media guru Bex Schwartz and Promo Workshop: THE TIME [V]ACHINE, which are scheduled to take place on 22nd May 2018, at Indian School of Design and Innovation, Mumbai. The TIME [V]ACHINE offers to be a unique drill where three hardcore creative geniuses: Rob Middleton, Arnab Chaudhuri and Pete Bishop come together and dive into the technicalities of creating promos that are versatile and relevant for all platforms. 

    Registration for Bootcamp and Masterclass will end this week – May 11th, 2018 so hurry and register!

  • Swati Mohan quits Nat Geo, to join Netflix

    Swati Mohan quits Nat Geo, to join Netflix

    MUMBAI: Nat Geo and Fox Networks Group India country head Swati Mohan is serving her notice period that ends in June. She will be joining global streaming platform Netflix as marketing director.

    Under her leadership, Nation Geographic underwent a rebranding exercise in 2016, wherein, among other things, ‘Channel’ was dropped from the nomen clature. This was a part of a global exercise that took place. Earlier this year, lifestyle channel Fox Life also got a brand and content refresh in order to remain in tune with the changes in the category.

    Mohan has over 16 years of experience in the industry, with a wide spectrum of work across companies, including Group M, O&M, FBC Media and Endemol.

    Recently, Netflix also appointed Srishti Behl as director, international originals, Netflix India, in order to build its original content portfolio in the country.

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