Sandeep Sharma returns to Times of India as branch vertical head

Gurugram: Sandeep Sharma is back where it all began. The media sales veteran has rejoined Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd., publisher of The Times of India, as branch vertical head – automobile, marking a return to his first organisation after nearly four years away.

Based in Gurugram, Sharma’s comeback follows a stint at Acko Drive, where he led revenue strategy, sponsorships and branded content for the automotive digital platform, including its flagship automobile awards and industry IPs.

With more than 17 years in the media business, Sharma has built deep expertise across the automobile, consumer durables and telecom verticals, three of the most competitive and revenue-heavy categories in Indian media. Before Acko Drive, he spent two years at Dainik Bhaskar Group as assistant general manager, heading enterprise revenue for marquee accounts such as Maruti, Hyundai, Kia, Samsung and Apple across multiple markets.

Sharma is no stranger to Times Group. He spent over 14 years at Bennett Coleman earlier in his career, rising from senior manager to deputy chief manager. In that phase, he handled key consumer durables and telecom accounts, generated annual revenues of about Rs 80 crore, and stitched together large integrated deals across print, digital, television and out-of-home.

At Times of India, Sharma is expected to sharpen the automobile vertical’s growth strategy, deepen OEM and agency relationships, and push customised branded content and partnerships in a market where competition for ad budgets is intensifying.

Sometimes, going back is not a retreat but a reset. For Sharma, the return to Times Group is less about nostalgia and more about unfinished business—this time with sharper tools and a longer rear-view mirror.