Category: People

Vikram Chandra steps down; KVL Narayan Rao is new NDTV group CEO

MUMBAI: The rumours that were making rounds of Vikram Chandra stepping down from his post at NDTV have now been put to rest.

The NDTV informed the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) that the company Board of Directors has approved the decision of Chandra to step down from the position of the group chief executive officer (CEO) and executive director of NDTV with immediate effect.

Chandra was appointed the group CEO in 2011 for a term of three years which was further extended by another two years. Chandra has expressed the wish to return to full time journalism within NDTV and focus on the TV shows of the Group. Chandra will continue with the Company as Consulting Editor.

The Board while accepting the decision of Chandra placed on record its appreciation of his valuable contribution as CEO. The Board on the recommendation of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee today approved that the executive vice-chairperson KVL Narayan Rao take over additional responsibilities as the Group CEO of NDTV with immediate effect.

Rao has been associated with the Company for nearly 22 years in various capacities including Group CEO and has been a key factor in the creation of NDTV.

Rao has served three terms as the president of the News Broadcasters Association (NBA). He has also been on the Board of Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) and V ice President of the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association. He continues to be on the Board of both the NBA and the IBF.

Rao is one of the most respected leaders of the news broadcasting fraternity where he has often played a critical role.

October 27, 2016
Vikram Chandra steps down; KVL Narayan Rao is new NDTV group CEO

MUMBAI: The rumours that were making rounds of Vikram Chandra stepping down from his post at NDTV have now been put to rest.

The NDTV informed the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) that the company Board of Directors has approved the decision of Chandra to step down from the position of the group chief executive officer (CEO) and executive director of NDTV with immediate effect.

Chandra was appointed the group CEO in 2011 for a term of three years which was further extended by another two years. Chandra has expressed the wish to return to full time journalism within NDTV and focus on the TV shows of the Group. Chandra will continue with the Company as Consulting Editor.

The Board while accepting the decision of Chandra placed on record its appreciation of his valuable contribution as CEO. The Board on the recommendation of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee today approved that the executive vice-chairperson KVL Narayan Rao take over additional responsibilities as the Group CEO of NDTV with immediate effect.

Rao has been associated with the Company for nearly 22 years in various capacities including Group CEO and has been a key factor in the creation of NDTV.

Rao has served three terms as the president of the News Broadcasters Association (NBA). He has also been on the Board of Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) and V ice President of the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association. He continues to be on the Board of both the NBA and the IBF.

Rao is one of the most respected leaders of the news broadcasting fraternity where he has often played a critical role.

October 27, 2016
Hunt for Zee Business head continues

MUMBAI: Zee Business, an arm of Zee Media Corporation, has seen several transitions in its management this year. The channel was initially headed by Amish Devgan, who decided to move away after serving for 14 years. It was then led by Zee Media Corporation’s then CEO for content Samir Ahluwalia,who was re-designated as the editor of the channel in June 2016.

After Devgan’s exit, the channel was looked after by Ahluwalia and deputy editor Mihir Bhatt. Accused in the case of Rs 100-crore extortion from industrialist Naveen Jindal, Ahluwalia called it a day in Zee Media in September. Then, the search for Zee Business head continued, until this development.

Sources told indiantelevision.com that Zee reportedly tried to reach out to few media experts namely, Sanjay Pugalia, Mehraj Dube, Amish Devgan and Pranjal Sharma to take up the role.

While Pugalia is with Raghav Bahl’s The Quint as the president and editorial director of both The Quint and Bloomberg Quint, Dube is Essel Group Corp Resources’ deputy vice president. Devgan has taken up the role of the executive editor at IBN7 whereas Sharma is an economic analyst and writer contributing to BusinessWorld magazine as its consulting editor and anchors ‘The Appointment’ show on Zee network.

It remains to be seen who will head the channel…

October 27, 2016
Hunt for Zee Business head continues

MUMBAI: Zee Business, an arm of Zee Media Corporation, has seen several transitions in its management this year. The channel was initially headed by Amish Devgan, who decided to move away after serving for 14 years. It was then led by Zee Media Corporation’s then CEO for content Samir Ahluwalia,who was re-designated as the editor of the channel in June 2016.

After Devgan’s exit, the channel was looked after by Ahluwalia and deputy editor Mihir Bhatt. Accused in the case of Rs 100-crore extortion from industrialist Naveen Jindal, Ahluwalia called it a day in Zee Media in September. Then, the search for Zee Business head continued, until this development.

Sources told indiantelevision.com that Zee reportedly tried to reach out to few media experts namely, Sanjay Pugalia, Mehraj Dube, Amish Devgan and Pranjal Sharma to take up the role.

While Pugalia is with Raghav Bahl’s The Quint as the president and editorial director of both The Quint and Bloomberg Quint, Dube is Essel Group Corp Resources’ deputy vice president. Devgan has taken up the role of the executive editor at IBN7 whereas Sharma is an economic analyst and writer contributing to BusinessWorld magazine as its consulting editor and anchors ‘The Appointment’ show on Zee network.

It remains to be seen who will head the channel…

October 27, 2016
Best Deal TV appoints Hari Trivedi as COO

MUMBAI: Best Deal TV has appointed Hari Trivedi as the chief operating officer with immediate effect. Based in Mumbai, Trivedi will be responsible for overall sales and marketing. He would also be initializing lowest price offers and deals on Best Deal TV.

Trivedi until recently spearheaded Naaptol.com as the president and was responsible for Technology, Vendor/ Warehousing/ Inventory/ Merchandising /Media/ Call centre/ Logistics/ CRM and overall sales and marketing at Naaptol. Prior to this, Trivedi was associated with Aksh Optifibre as the Head of IPTV business and Times Internet Ltd as the National Head for e-commerce.

Best Deal TV founder CEO Raj Kundra says, “Hari has been in the industry for over 30 years, and has oodles of experience in home shopping, e-commerce and e- governance platforms. We are proud to have him on board, and believe his experience will do wonders for Best Deal TV. We are one of leading home shopping network and we wanted someone like him to pace our operations and fulfill our ambitious targets. Hari’s thorough experience and Best Deal TV’s budding business enterprise would be apt to meet the need of the consumers and sellers.”

Trivedi says, “The home shopping business in India had the scope to quadruplicate itself in the last few years. I see myself as contributing to the overall growth of the e-commerce industry. I would like to go for a more innovative approach to double the current readers’ offers industry.”

October 25, 2016
Best Deal TV appoints Hari Trivedi as COO

MUMBAI: Best Deal TV has appointed Hari Trivedi as the chief operating officer with immediate effect. Based in Mumbai, Trivedi will be responsible for overall sales and marketing. He would also be initializing lowest price offers and deals on Best Deal TV.

Trivedi until recently spearheaded Naaptol.com as the president and was responsible for Technology, Vendor/ Warehousing/ Inventory/ Merchandising /Media/ Call centre/ Logistics/ CRM and overall sales and marketing at Naaptol. Prior to this, Trivedi was associated with Aksh Optifibre as the Head of IPTV business and Times Internet Ltd as the National Head for e-commerce.

Best Deal TV founder CEO Raj Kundra says, “Hari has been in the industry for over 30 years, and has oodles of experience in home shopping, e-commerce and e- governance platforms. We are proud to have him on board, and believe his experience will do wonders for Best Deal TV. We are one of leading home shopping network and we wanted someone like him to pace our operations and fulfill our ambitious targets. Hari’s thorough experience and Best Deal TV’s budding business enterprise would be apt to meet the need of the consumers and sellers.”

Trivedi says, “The home shopping business in India had the scope to quadruplicate itself in the last few years. I see myself as contributing to the overall growth of the e-commerce industry. I would like to go for a more innovative approach to double the current readers’ offers industry.”

October 25, 2016
Disney announces successor of MD Siddharth Roy-Kapur

MUMBAI: Walt Disney International has announced the successor to its former managing director Siddharth Roy-Kapur. As a second stint with the organization, Mahesh Samat has made a comeback and will lead The Walt Disney Company India as the managing director. He will pursue his new responsibility from 28 November and will be based in Mumbai.

Samat will report directly to Walt Disney International chairman Andy Bird. One of his key roles will be to resume management of all Disney businesses in India (except ESPN), with all local business segments reporting into him.

Samat will be responsible for setting and driving the company’s strategy, coordinating all business efforts in India including overseeing Disney global franchises in the market, expanding existing businesses, and creating new business opportunities.

“Mahesh guided Disney in India in its early days, and we are thrilled with his decision to return to the organization he helped build,” said Bird. He further added, “We are encouraged by the opportunity we see to further grow our business in India and believe Mahesh’s entrepreneurial spirit, knowledge of our brands and franchises, and long-standing expertise in our broader operations will continue the momentum we are experiencing in this dynamic market.”

With this, Roy-Kapur departs from the company to explore his own business interests.

“Sid is a pillar of the Indian entertainment industry and has demonstrated passion and commitment for the Disney business. He carved a strong position for Disney in the Indian media and entertainment space that positions us well for the future. We are immensely thankful for his service and wish him well in his next venture,” added Bird.

Samat had moved away from Disney India four years ago to establish Epic Television Networks and is the founder and MD of The Epic Channel.

“It’s exciting to return to the wonderful world of Disney,” Samat said. “Disney really is special entertainment with heart, and I am delighted to see that the unique stories and iconic characters of Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars — as well as our homegrown brands of Hungama, Bindass and UTV — continue to find a home among Indian audiences. Moving forward, we’ll accelerate the great work done by the team and create new, innovative ways for audiences to engage with our stories, brands and characters, and drive growth across our businesses.”

With more than 25 years of experience in FMCG and healthcare across India, Asia-Pacific and Europe, Samat originally joined Disney from Johnson & Johnson, where he was the managing director Southern Europe for J&J Vision Care. Prior to that, he worked for Kellogg’s, Warner Lambert/Parke-Davis and Boots India Limited.

He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Sydenham College and a Masters degree in Business Administration from the Indian Institute of Management.

October 25, 2016
Disney announces successor of MD Siddharth Roy-Kapur

MUMBAI: Walt Disney International has announced the successor to its former managing director Siddharth Roy-Kapur. As a second stint with the organization, Mahesh Samat has made a comeback and will lead The Walt Disney Company India as the managing director. He will pursue his new responsibility from 28 November and will be based in Mumbai.

Samat will report directly to Walt Disney International chairman Andy Bird. One of his key roles will be to resume management of all Disney businesses in India (except ESPN), with all local business segments reporting into him.

Samat will be responsible for setting and driving the company’s strategy, coordinating all business efforts in India including overseeing Disney global franchises in the market, expanding existing businesses, and creating new business opportunities.

“Mahesh guided Disney in India in its early days, and we are thrilled with his decision to return to the organization he helped build,” said Bird. He further added, “We are encouraged by the opportunity we see to further grow our business in India and believe Mahesh’s entrepreneurial spirit, knowledge of our brands and franchises, and long-standing expertise in our broader operations will continue the momentum we are experiencing in this dynamic market.”

With this, Roy-Kapur departs from the company to explore his own business interests.

“Sid is a pillar of the Indian entertainment industry and has demonstrated passion and commitment for the Disney business. He carved a strong position for Disney in the Indian media and entertainment space that positions us well for the future. We are immensely thankful for his service and wish him well in his next venture,” added Bird.

Samat had moved away from Disney India four years ago to establish Epic Television Networks and is the founder and MD of The Epic Channel.

“It’s exciting to return to the wonderful world of Disney,” Samat said. “Disney really is special entertainment with heart, and I am delighted to see that the unique stories and iconic characters of Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars — as well as our homegrown brands of Hungama, Bindass and UTV — continue to find a home among Indian audiences. Moving forward, we’ll accelerate the great work done by the team and create new, innovative ways for audiences to engage with our stories, brands and characters, and drive growth across our businesses.”

With more than 25 years of experience in FMCG and healthcare across India, Asia-Pacific and Europe, Samat originally joined Disney from Johnson & Johnson, where he was the managing director Southern Europe for J&J Vision Care. Prior to that, he worked for Kellogg’s, Warner Lambert/Parke-Davis and Boots India Limited.

He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Sydenham College and a Masters degree in Business Administration from the Indian Institute of Management.

October 25, 2016
Bittree taps industry veteran Ari Baron as new GM

GLENDALE (C.A): Bittree, a leading manufacturer of high-quality audio and video patching systems, has appointed long time industry veteran Ari Baron as the general manager (GM), it was announced today by Glenn Garrard, CEO of Bittree. The company is dedicated to offering state-of-the-art patching systems that streamline signal routing and troubleshooting in media and entertainment operations of all sizes. The company offers an innovative line of audio, video, and data patchbays for use in broadcasting, postproduction, and pro A/V operations.

With over two decades of experience in the pro audio, broadcast, and MI community, Baron will be responsible for day-to-day operations at Bittree including future planning and growth, overseeing efficient manufacturing practices, introducing new products, and developing marketing and sales strategies, effective immediately. Baron is currently based in Bittree’s U.S. headquarters in Glendale, CA and will report directly to Garrard.

“Ari will be providing important leadership for the formative transformation of our company, throughout our immeasurable growth and expansion,” says Garrard. “ His sales and marketing acumen, combined with his lean manufacturing experience and great product knowledge, Ari truly understands the value of creating enthusiasm for the brand and product line throughout our network. I am confident that he will play a vital role in our company and our culture.”

Prior to his hire, Baron served as Eastman Music Company’s vice president of Marketing where he managed all Marketing, Content, Artist Relations and Creative Operations for Eastman’s global network of brands including Eastman Guitars & Mandolins, Eastman Strings, Andreas Eastman, Wm. S. Haynes Co. Flutes, S.E. Shires & Schertler Electronics. Baron also spent years with UCLA as their Creative Brand Manager under the Licensing and Trademarks apparel division. He has launched accessory lines for West Coast Choppers, Von Dutch and Ed Hardy as well as served as the Marketing Manager for STA Travel where he managed the annual marketing plans for over 60 retail outlets.

Baron is a voting member of the Grammys, a writer and publisher of ASCAP, a NAMM member, owner of a Hollywood recording studio, and holds a certification in Lean Six Sigma manufacturing and process improvement. He studied marketing at Bentley University in Waltham, MA and Recording/Engineering at Musicians Institute in Hollywood, CA.

October 17, 2016
Bittree taps industry veteran Ari Baron as new GM

GLENDALE (C.A): Bittree, a leading manufacturer of high-quality audio and video patching systems, has appointed long time industry veteran Ari Baron as the general manager (GM), it was announced today by Glenn Garrard, CEO of Bittree. The company is dedicated to offering state-of-the-art patching systems that streamline signal routing and troubleshooting in media and entertainment operations of all sizes. The company offers an innovative line of audio, video, and data patchbays for use in broadcasting, postproduction, and pro A/V operations.

With over two decades of experience in the pro audio, broadcast, and MI community, Baron will be responsible for day-to-day operations at Bittree including future planning and growth, overseeing efficient manufacturing practices, introducing new products, and developing marketing and sales strategies, effective immediately. Baron is currently based in Bittree’s U.S. headquarters in Glendale, CA and will report directly to Garrard.

“Ari will be providing important leadership for the formative transformation of our company, throughout our immeasurable growth and expansion,” says Garrard. “ His sales and marketing acumen, combined with his lean manufacturing experience and great product knowledge, Ari truly understands the value of creating enthusiasm for the brand and product line throughout our network. I am confident that he will play a vital role in our company and our culture.”

Prior to his hire, Baron served as Eastman Music Company’s vice president of Marketing where he managed all Marketing, Content, Artist Relations and Creative Operations for Eastman’s global network of brands including Eastman Guitars & Mandolins, Eastman Strings, Andreas Eastman, Wm. S. Haynes Co. Flutes, S.E. Shires & Schertler Electronics. Baron also spent years with UCLA as their Creative Brand Manager under the Licensing and Trademarks apparel division. He has launched accessory lines for West Coast Choppers, Von Dutch and Ed Hardy as well as served as the Marketing Manager for STA Travel where he managed the annual marketing plans for over 60 retail outlets.

Baron is a voting member of the Grammys, a writer and publisher of ASCAP, a NAMM member, owner of a Hollywood recording studio, and holds a certification in Lean Six Sigma manufacturing and process improvement. He studied marketing at Bentley University in Waltham, MA and Recording/Engineering at Musicians Institute in Hollywood, CA.

October 17, 2016