ITV

Tag: Bennett Coleman & Co

  • Haresh Anil Kumar joins SPR India as head of marketing

    Haresh Anil Kumar joins SPR India as head of marketing

    MUMBAI: SPR India has appointed Haresh Anil Kumar as its new head of marketing, marking a strategic addition to the company’s leadership team.

    Kumar brings more than 18 years of experience spanning media, automotive and real estate marketing. Before joining SPR India, he served as head of marketing at Thanthi One, where he led integrated campaigns across broadcast, digital and OTT platforms. His previous roles include regional manager at Verse Innovation, regional manager for cinema advertising at Inox Leisure, and regional sales and strategy lead (South India) at PVR Limited.

    Earlier in his career, he held leadership positions at India Today Group, Zee Entertainment Enterprises, and Bennett Coleman & Co (The Times of India), driving revenue growth, media partnerships and branded content innovation. He began his career in banking at Yes Bank before moving into media and brand strategy.

    At SPR India, Kumar will oversee integrated ATL and BTL marketing, digital campaigns and brand partnerships, with a strong focus on ROI and measurable outcomes. His appointment comes as the developer sharpens its brand identity in a competitive luxury and mixed-use real estate market.
     

  • Bharat Express brings back Varun Kohli as group chief executive

    Bharat Express brings back Varun Kohli as group chief executive

    NOIDA:  In the media industry, boomerang hires are increasingly common. But when a news channel rehires the executive who built it from scratch, it signals ambition rather than desperation.

    Bharat Express has brought back Varun Kohli as director and group chief executive, marking his return to an organisation he helped launch in January 2023.  Kohli, who spent just over a year at Bharat Express before joining Times Network as chief operating officer, is being tasked with expanding the channel’s reach and deepening its impact in India’s competitive news broadcasting market.

    During his first stint, Kohli shaped the channel’s editorial and business strategy, built its core team and established its operational framework. His move to Times Network in 2024 saw him oversee critical operations across a larger network. Now, armed with that broader experience, he returns to accelerate Bharat Express’s growth trajectory.

    “During his first innings, Varun played a foundational role in successfully launching the channel and positioning Bharat Express as a credible voice in Indian news media,” said Bharat Express chairman, managing director & editor in chief Upendrra Rai. “With his return, we are confident that his deep industry experience and visionary approach will help us accelerate our growth and take the channel to new heights.”

    Kohli brings three decades of media experience, having held leadership roles at ITV Network, Deccan Chronicle Holdings, Network18, Bennett Coleman & Co., HT Media and Amar Ujala Prakashan. He is known for launching and turning around media brands, with a reputation for driving revenue growth and building high-performance teams.

    The appointment positions Bharat Express for its next phase of expansion, with Kohli’s return bringing both institutional knowledge and fresh strategic insights gained from his time at one of India’s largest broadcasting networks.

  • HT Media cashes in as Swapnil Ravindran takes charge of South revenues

    HT Media cashes in as Swapnil Ravindran takes charge of South revenues

    MUMBAI : HT Media Group has found its new rainmaker in the South. Swapnil Ravindran has been appointed chief revenue officer (CRO) for South, a role that will see him drive growth across Hindustan Times, Hindustan Hindi, and Mint. Ravindran, who took charge in August 2025, brings a two-decade career spanning Yahoo, Inmobi, The Times of India, and Kasturi & Sons, with a strong record of scaling revenue engines across print and digital. At HT, his mandate is clear: accelerate revenue growth, deepen advertiser relationships, and integrate strategy across platforms to bolster the One HT narrative in southern India.

    It’s a homecoming of sorts. Ravindran spent a decade at HT Media (2005–2015), rising from deputy manager to general manager. Since then, he has helmed sales at Yahoo, led national digital and print mandates at The Hindu Group, and spearheaded e-business and branch verticals at The Times of India. Most recently, he was associate vice president and response head at Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd. (Nov 2024–Aug 2025) and before that, director of sales (West & South) at Inmobi.

    Over the years, he has managed marquee brands, sharpened sales strategies, and built high-performance teams skills now directed at expanding HT Media’s footprint in one of India’s most competitive regions.

    Armed with a PGDBA in Marketing from VIT (1999) and nearly 20 years of leadership across advertising sales, business strategy, and digital transformation, Ravindran is expected to play a pivotal role in powering HT Media’s South operations to new heights.

    From Yahoo to Hindustan Times and back again, his journey is a story of full-circle ambition only this time, the brief is bigger, bolder, and distinctly southern.

  • Robin D’Silva gets group account director role at ABP Network

    Robin D’Silva gets group account director role at ABP Network

    MUMBAI:  Robin D’Silva has been appointed as group account director at ABP Network. With over a decade of experience in media sales, market research, business development, and marketing strategy, D’Silva brings a wealth of expertise to his new role.

    Prior to this appointment, D’Silva served as group account manager at CNN-News18, where he was instrumental in driving client engagement and business growth. He has also held key positions at Zee Media Corp, National Geographic Traveller India, and Bennett Coleman & Co.

    D’Silva expressed enthusiasm about contributing to ABP Network’s continued growth and innovation in the media landscape.

    A postgraduate in marketing from Welingkar Institute of Management, D’Silva has consistently demonstrated a strong ability to manage client relationships, negotiate contracts, and deliver impactful business solutions.

  • Parinda Singh appointed marketing head Hindi Movie Cluster & Sony Marathi at SPNI

    Parinda Singh appointed marketing head Hindi Movie Cluster & Sony Marathi at SPNI

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has announced the appointment of Parinda Singh as head of marketing for its Hindi movie cluster and Sony Marathi.

    Bringing over 23 years of experience in brand building, consumer insights, and marketing strategy, Singh has worked with India’s top brands, media houses, and Fortune 500 companies. her expertise spans content marketing, digital media, fintech, and over-the-top (OTT ) platforms. She has a proven track record of developing growth strategies, scaling brands, and fostering cross-functional collaboration.

    Prior to this appointment, Singh served as a marketing consultant, advising leading organisations across sectors such as sports, media, and digital platforms. she has previously held senior marketing roles at Zee Entertainment, Star TV network, NDTV Imagine, and Bennett Coleman & Co. Singh has also worked ad agencies on the servicing side such as Lowe Lintas, FCB Ulka and Mudra Communications. She holds  a bachelor’s  degree in commerce and an MBA in marketing from NMIMS, Mumba.

    In her new role, Singh will spearhead marketing strategies, enhance brand engagement, and drive growth for the Hindi movie cluster and Sony Marathi, with a focus on delivering impactful campaigns that resonate with audiences.

  • In Loving Memory of Bhaskar Das

    In Loving Memory of Bhaskar Das

    MUMBAI: The media world mourns the loss of Bhaskar Das,  or BD as he was known,  a beloved and influential media professional, who passed away this morning at Breach Candy Hospital after a prolonged battle with cancer. He was gracefully advancing through his 72nd year. Despite the doctors’ grim prognosis and the family’s emotional struggle over the past weeks, Bhaskar’s indomitable spirit remained a source of inspiration for many until his final moments.

    BD’s impressive career spanned over four decades, beginning as a management trainee in 1980 and culminating in senior leadership roles in some of the industry’s most prestigious organizations. His journey included transformative years at Bennett Coleman and Company Ltd  (BCCL), where he played a pivotal role in propelling the company into a powerhouse, alongside his esteemed boss, mentor, and friend, Pradeep Guha, who predeceased him in 2021.

    BD’s  professional accolades are a testament to his extraordinary talent and dedication. His leadership as group CEO at Zee Media and later as group president & chief strategy officer at Republic TV left an indelible mark on the media landscape. He was known for spearheading dramatic revenue growth and transforming legacy companies into modern success stories. During his tenure at BCCL, he was responsible for an astounding escalation in advertising revenue from Rs 1,560 crore to Rs 4,200 crore, underscoring his unwavering commitment to excellence in media management.

    Bhaskar Das

    Beyond his impressive resume, Bhaskar was a passionate mentor and educator, dedicating considerable time to the development of future leaders in marketing and media. He served as a professor at various esteemed institutions, including Mica  and SPJIMR, imparting knowledge and inspiring students to think critically about the evolving landscape of media and marketing. His profound insight and ability to provoke thought earned him recognition as a sought-after speaker at industry forums and prestigious business schools worldwide.

    Bhaskar’s warmth, charm, and infectious smile endeared him to everyone who had the privilege to know him. His profound wisdom and unique perspective on leadership—believing firmly in delivering outcomes rather than mere outputs—left a lasting influence on his teams and associates. Colleagues have described him as an “insight provocateur” and a loyal friend, someone who nurtured the potential in others while remaining a lifelong learner himself. 

    Bhaskar Das with Shomshuklla Das

    In the weeks leading to his passing, Bhaskar’s independent film maker wife Shomshuklla  Das kept close friends informed of his health struggles, and his resilience during this difficult time highlighted the strength of his character. While his battle with cancer was immense, his hope and confidence in finding a way through remained a guiding light for family and friends.

    Bhaskarda – as those who were close to him called him –  had one thing to say among friends: “I still feel like the petrol of my life is not yet over. My mind does not know my age. Should I add years to my life or life to my years? I  am very clear: I’d rather add life to my years.”

    Bhaskarda, you lived your life well in a wholesome manner. Many would love to leave behind a legacy of innovation, mentorship, and an unwavering zest for life like you did.  Your  contributions to the media industry will be remembered, as will your  remarkable ability to connect with those around you.  

    Bhaskar DA with Shomshukla Das and Anaz and Sarah

    Rest in peace, Bhaskarda. You will be profoundly missed, and your smile and spirit will forever resonate in the hearts of those who knew and loved you.

    You  leave behind a legacy in the number of professionals who have thanked you  on numerous occasions for guiding them through their careers.  

    (Pictures courtesy: Bhaskar Das’ Instagram)

  • Bhaskar Das: Industry legend passes on

    Bhaskar Das: Industry legend passes on

    MUMBAI: The doctors had given up on him. His family was counting down the days with dread. The well-loved media professional  Bhaskar Das passed away this morning at Breach Candy hospital following a long battle with cancer. He was only 72. His boss, mentor  and friend Pradeep Guha had passed on in 2021. Both had teamed up to transform Bennett Coleman & Co into the powerhouse it once was. 

    His wife had sent out a message around a fortnight ago, informing friends about the cancer that had spread through his body and ravaged it.

    He had been out of hospital at least a couple of times in the past two years. Every one hoped that the cancer would be in remission. But it was not to be. 

    RIP, Bhaskar. You will be missed. As will your smlie.
     

  • Shobit Arora rejoins Network 18

    Shobit Arora rejoins Network 18

    MUMBAI: A group sales head at CNBC TV18, CNN18 and CNBC Awaaz for the northern region for nearly two years in 2019. Now Shobit Arora has come back to his alma mater as national head connected TV for the same three channels -building them across streaming devices and platforms.

    Shobit who believes heavily in education earned his BA and MA in economics from Guru Nanak Dev university, and followed those up with his MBA in finance from IIPM. He then joined Bennett Coleman & Co where he worked for nine years rising up to become manager. 

    What followed was his transition to TV with stints BTVi as senior manager  north sales (2017-2019, CNBC TV18 (2019-Dec 2020) and India Today  (AGM- connected TV, April 2022-August 2023.

    Shobit then made a surprising move by joining Oracle as a senior enterprise account manager for a short period of six months. After that, he rejoined  India Today as DGM -connected TV (February 2024-December 2024), following which he got the call from Network18 to head the national connected TV business for the three channels.

    Shobit likes to keep himself updated on new tech and has done a smorgasbord of courses: Linkedin Learning’s CMO Foundations Measuring Marketing Effectiveness RoI, NIIT’s Google Adwords Certification, Digital marketing workshops and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure 2023 AI certified Foundations Associate course.

    All these should come handy as he takes the three channels he has charge of into new frontiers.

  • R K Swamy appoints Vishal Singh as GM Digital Direction

    R K Swamy appoints Vishal Singh as GM Digital Direction

    MUMBAI: Digital Direction, part of the R K Swamy Media Group has appointed Vishal Singh as its General Manager. He will report to R K Swamy Media Group president Chintamani Rao.

    Commenting on his recruitment, Rao said, “Vishal comes to us with rich experience as a user of the digital media. I look forward to him bringing a new perspective to bear to our work, to the benefit of our teams and our clients.”

    Prior to this, Singh was working with ICICI Securities, where as a chief manager-marketing, he was responsible for digital marketing for all business groups of ICICI Securities.

    On his new assignment Singh said, “Straddling both print and digital medium, gives me unique insights and this experience will help me challenge conventional thinking and provide comprehensive digital solutions for clients.”

    With over eight years of experience, most of it in the digital media space and prior to that in print, Singh began his career with Bennett Coleman & Co.