Thanigasalam Murugadass joins Zee Studios as associate director – marketing (South)

MUMBAI: Zee Studios has added fresh firepower to its southern operations with the appointment of Thanigasalam Murugadass as associate director – marketing, South. Based in Chennai, Murugadass will spearhead marketing for theatrical and studio-led film releases across Tamil Nadu, Kerala and the wider southern market.

With more than 14 years of experience spanning print, digital, television and outdoor media, Murugadass brings a rare, full-spectrum understanding of how audiences discover, consume and connect with stories. His new role will focus on building integrated, audience-first campaigns that translate cinematic vision into box-office buzz.

Calling the move a “full-circle moment”, Murugadass said he was excited to step into studio and theatrical marketing after a career that began in print and evolved across platforms and formats. “As I step into studio and theatrical marketing, my focus will be on driving integrated, audience-first strategies that celebrate cinema and bring powerful stories to the big screen,” he said.

Before joining Zee Studios, Murugadass spent nearly four years at Zee5, where he led Avod marketing and growth strategies for Tamil Nadu and Kerala. His work blended data-led performance marketing with sharp regional storytelling, helping drive consistent growth across key engagement and revenue metrics. His efforts earned him multiple Zee Olympian awards for execution excellence.

Earlier, he was part of the core launch team for Colors Tamil at Viacom18, playing a key role in taking the channel to a top-four position among Tamil general entertainment channels within months of launch. His career also includes stints with Times Ooh, Metro Multimedia and the Times Group, giving him deep roots across both content and commerce.

At Zee Studios, Murugadass will work closely with creative, distribution and business teams to craft culturally relevant campaigns that move seamlessly from screen to cinema hall. With his blend of storytelling instinct and marketing rigour, Zee Studios is clearly betting on a marketer who knows how to make audiences stop, watch and care.