ITV

Tag: CEO

  • Top-level changes at Shop CJ; CEO Kenny Shin to head back to Korea

    Top-level changes at Shop CJ; CEO Kenny Shin to head back to Korea

    MUMBAI: Home shopping ain’t an easy business. Definitely not in India. Ask Shop CJ CEO Kenny Shin. The South Korean is slated to catch a flight back to his home country very soon after serving four years and one month at the joint venture between the South Korean home shopping major CJ O Shopping and P5 Asia Holding Investments (Mauritius) Ltd (which belongs to the Providence Equity Partners group). 

    Shin calls his movement back to South Korea a routine transfer. “This is something which happens  with our South Korean parent,” he told indiantelevision.com late on the night of 11 March. “We are rotated around in our various operations world wide.”

    A source, however, had informed indiantelevision.com earlier in the day that Shin was actually shown the door by the company’s board. Along with him, the company CFO Ramakrishnan N was also asked to quit.

    “After reviewing last year’s performance during its board meeting today, the company has decided to sack two senior officials for having a non-performing year,” the source told us. “Its performance has fallen 32 per cent compared to last year.”

    However, Shin repeatedly denied that anyone was being booted out. “It is a routine transfer, that is all it is. No decision has been taken about our CFO as yet,” he stated. “We will be issuing an official statement tomorrow.”

    Indiantelevision.com, however,  managed to get hold of the official communication circulated to Shop CJ employees which has something else to say:  “Mr. N. Ramakrishnan (Ram) has decided to step down as CFO of the Company to pursue other interests. While as CFO, Ram helped the Company establish effective financial systems and controls, and we thank him for his leadership and contribution to the Company, and wish him the best in his future endeavors. The Board has initiated a search to fill the role of CFO for ShopCJ. The changes above are effective immediately.”

    Shin joined the company in February 2012, from CJ O Shopping, the Korean conglomerate, where he was in a key leadership role, having been with the company since 2002.

    Company officials, however, reached out to indiantelevision.com once again in late May 2016 insisting that there was no sacking at all in March. A senior official stated that Ramakrishnan’s departure was entirely his decision and Shin’s return to South Korea was simply routine in the larger scheme of CJ O Shopping’s management initiatives.

    Shop CJ was earlier a joint venture between CJ and broadcast giant Star India. The latter moved out of the partnership and from the home shopping business and in 2015 the channel was re-branded as Shop CJ.

    (Earlier posted on 11 March 2016 at 7:43; updated at 11:50 pm; updated on 31 May 2016 at 12:43 am)

  • Top-level changes at Shop CJ; CEO Kenny Shin to head back to Korea

    Top-level changes at Shop CJ; CEO Kenny Shin to head back to Korea

    MUMBAI: Home shopping ain’t an easy business. Definitely not in India. Ask Shop CJ CEO Kenny Shin. The South Korean is slated to catch a flight back to his home country very soon after serving four years and one month at the joint venture between the South Korean home shopping major CJ O Shopping and P5 Asia Holding Investments (Mauritius) Ltd (which belongs to the Providence Equity Partners group). 

    Shin calls his movement back to South Korea a routine transfer. “This is something which happens  with our South Korean parent,” he told indiantelevision.com late on the night of 11 March. “We are rotated around in our various operations world wide.”

    A source, however, had informed indiantelevision.com earlier in the day that Shin was actually shown the door by the company’s board. Along with him, the company CFO Ramakrishnan N was also asked to quit.

    “After reviewing last year’s performance during its board meeting today, the company has decided to sack two senior officials for having a non-performing year,” the source told us. “Its performance has fallen 32 per cent compared to last year.”

    However, Shin repeatedly denied that anyone was being booted out. “It is a routine transfer, that is all it is. No decision has been taken about our CFO as yet,” he stated. “We will be issuing an official statement tomorrow.”

    Indiantelevision.com, however,  managed to get hold of the official communication circulated to Shop CJ employees which has something else to say:  “Mr. N. Ramakrishnan (Ram) has decided to step down as CFO of the Company to pursue other interests. While as CFO, Ram helped the Company establish effective financial systems and controls, and we thank him for his leadership and contribution to the Company, and wish him the best in his future endeavors. The Board has initiated a search to fill the role of CFO for ShopCJ. The changes above are effective immediately.”

    Shin joined the company in February 2012, from CJ O Shopping, the Korean conglomerate, where he was in a key leadership role, having been with the company since 2002.

    Company officials, however, reached out to indiantelevision.com once again in late May 2016 insisting that there was no sacking at all in March. A senior official stated that Ramakrishnan’s departure was entirely his decision and Shin’s return to South Korea was simply routine in the larger scheme of CJ O Shopping’s management initiatives.

    Shop CJ was earlier a joint venture between CJ and broadcast giant Star India. The latter moved out of the partnership and from the home shopping business and in 2015 the channel was re-branded as Shop CJ.

    (Earlier posted on 11 March 2016 at 7:43; updated at 11:50 pm; updated on 31 May 2016 at 12:43 am)

  • Mindshare MENA promotes Ravi Rao as CEO as Samir Ayoub resigns

    Mindshare MENA promotes Ravi Rao as CEO as Samir Ayoub resigns

    MUMBAI: Mindshare MENA CEO Samir Ayoub has resigned from his post and has been appointed delegate of the board at the agency. Ayoub will transition from his current role as CEO, on 1 February, 2016 and continue to act as an advisor and consultant on all matters related to the agency until July 2016.

    Stepping up to the CEO role will be Mindshare MENA chief client officer and UAE team lead Ravi Rao.

    Ayoub, who has led Mindshare MENA since 1999, previously headed up Ogilvy Media. Throughout his 26-year tenure with WPP companies, Ayoub has built up world-class media offerings in the region. His in-depth knowledge of the multiple markets and its consumers’ lifestyles, habits and choices, has supported local and international brands in developing their market share across regional geographies.

    Rao joined Mindshare MENA in May 2015 as chief client officer and in October took on additional responsibility for leading the UAE team. Previously Rao led Mindshare South Asia as CEO for three years. Rao’s nine plus years experience with WPP companies has honed his transformational expertise, which will now support the Mindshare MENA network as it continues to create cutting edge products for its clients and their brands. Rao will leverage new opportunities to further develop the agency’s strategic business alliances and deliver network growth across agency disciplines and client categories.

    WPP MENA director Roy Haddad and Mindshare MENA chairman Edmond Moutran jointly commented, “Whilst Samir will be leaving the day-to-day operations of the agency in February, he will remain a valued member of the team as delegate of the Mindshare MENA board, continuing to support and facilitate the agency’s initiatives that keep it future ready and a sought after media partner in the region.”

    Ayoub said, “My time with Mindshare has been rewarding and exhilarating. Much has changed in the consumer and media landscape since I took on the CEO role 17 years ago. I am delighted that the company will continue to flourish, guided by the experienced and capable hands of my friend and colleague Ravi Rao. In the coming months and years ahead, I look forward to celebrating its continued achievements.”

    Tasked with further developing the agency’s offering, Rao added, “It is most satisfying that I was one of ‘the Day 1 employees’ when Mindshare was set up in the region way back in 1999. A real privilege now to lead Mindshare MENA and I really look forward to further building on the success of our strong team and a world-class product so our client partners benefit the most by driving the Adaptive Marketing vision.”

     

  • Abraham Thomas is the new Radio City CEO

    Abraham Thomas is the new Radio City CEO

    MUMBAI: As of Monday, 23 November 2015, Abraham Thomas will join Radio City as CEO, after serving seven months as CEO for Hit FM. Thomas will replace Apurva Purohit, who was recently elevated to President of the Jagran Group after it acquired Radio City earlier in the year.

     

    Commenting on the new appointment Purohit said, “We couldn’t have got a better person than Abe to run Radio City. He is not only a highly experienced business manager but also extremely passionate about radio’s various facets- content, marketing and new distribution platforms like digital. Over the last decade we have built Radio City into a market leader in the FM industry, as well as a Great Place to Work across industries. Abe brings with him maturity and an outstanding ability to work with high quality teams which will only help take the culture of Radio City to greater heights.”

     

    To read full report click here

  • Madison Media promotes Keswani as Sigma CEO and Banerjee as Infinity COO

    Madison Media promotes Keswani as Sigma CEO and Banerjee as Infinity COO

    MUMBAI: Madison Media has announced a few changes in its top management that start with the promotion of Madison Media Sigma COO Vanita Keswani to CEO of Madison Media Sigma. Further, current Pinnacle SVP Shekhar Bannerjee has been elevated to COO of Madison Media Infinity.

    Commenting on the new appointments, Madison Media & OOH, Group CEO, Vikram Sakhuja said, “This is a great recognition for Vanita and Shekhar. Vanita has brought solidity to a diverse portfolio and has driven consistent client value. Shekhar in his most recent avatar had driven Mondelez to a world class account. Both these promotions are truly deserved and I wish them the best in their new challenges.”

    Keswani has been with Madison Media for the last 18 years and donned various key roles and today heads a large portfolio of clients including Raymond, Piramal, McDonald’s, Shaadi.com, Pidilite, Indian Oil, Lodha, DHFL, Omkar, etc.

     

    Bannerjee joined Madison Media as a management trainee in 2004 and has risen to the top over the last 11 years. He will be responsible for Godrej, Asian Paints and Marico businesses of the Mumbai office.
     

    These promotions are part of Madison Next, an all-encompassing programme launched by Madison three months ago, that gets the agency future ready, focus on digital, empower youngsters, promoting internal talent to senior level management roles across units and focus on research, insights and big data.

  • Zee Media Corporation CEO & executive director Ashish Kripal Pandit resigns

    Zee Media Corporation CEO & executive director Ashish Kripal Pandit resigns

    MUMBAI: Zee Media Corporation executive director and CEO Ashish Kirpal Pandit has resigned from the company with effect from 12 October.

     

    He handled senior management roles for more than 27 years in industries from ranges from telecom to retail. He has been associated with brands like Alcatel, Efirst Technologies, Fortis Healthcare Limited,  Reliance Webstore and Tata Teleservices. 

     

    Pandit joined Zee Media Corporation in October 2014 and looked after senior management team. Pandit was with Digicall Global for three years before joining Zee.

  • AP Parigi steps down as Network18 group CEO; moved to advisory role

    AP Parigi steps down as Network18 group CEO; moved to advisory role

    MUMBAI: Network18 Group CEO AP Parigi will be stepping down from his post and move into an advisory role in the group with effect from 1 October, 2015.

     

    In his new role, he will be adviser to Network18 chairman Adil Zainulbhai.

     

    It may be recalled that Parigi was appointed as group CEO of the company only in January this year. Parigi was brought on board Network18 after B Sai Kumar quit as the company’s group CEO in May last year. Post that, the company witnessed a major manpower drain when Mukesh Ambani helmed Reliance Industries picked up a majority stake in it.

     

    While the company did not cite any reason for moving Parigi from his current role after a stint of less than eight months, the development does comes in the wake of Network18 appointing former Economic Times editorial director Rahul Joshi as CEO of news and group editor-in-chief. Incidentally, Joshi is slated to take over his new position in just a few days on 28 September, 2015.

     

    Thanking Parigi for his contribution, Zainulbhai said, “Parigi has strengthened the management team and helped stabilise the operations of the company. This has put Network18 on a sound footing for future growth. I look forward to his continued support in the new role.”

     

    Parigi added, “I wish to thank Adil and the Board of Directors of Network18 for the opportunity to be a part of the transition team at Network18.”

     

    In his professional stint spanning almost four decades, Parigi was ENIL (Radio Mirchi) managing director and CEO. He also had a brief stint with Eros International Media as MD and CEO.

  • Razorfish India names Dinesh Swamy as senior creative director

    Razorfish India names Dinesh Swamy as senior creative director

    MUMBAI: Razorfish India has appointed Dinesh Swamy as senior creative director, based out of Mumbai.

     

    Speaking on the appointment, Razorfish CEO Charulata Ravi Kumar said, “With his credentials already preceding him, what struck me most about Dinesh was his childlike curiosity and energy that evidently add interesting dimensions to his creative ideas. His passion for photography and dancing tell me that he sees beyond the obvious and uses the insight for a story worth swinging to.”

     

    Razorfish India COO Gaurav Pathak added, “Dinesh is not only an excellent creative talent but also brings with him the strategic bent of mind that makes his work stand out with an innovative relevance that aligns perfectly with our philosophy at Razorfish.”

     

    Swamy said, “Razorfish has always inspired me and been on my list; it’s a great opportunity to breathe pure Digital. Razorfish has the passion to blend idea and technology to create innovative solutions. I want to take it ahead and showcase great case studies along with the team and be part of taking it to its next level of creative excellence that transforms business.”

     

    Swamy’s portfolio spans strategic innovations and integrated solutions across CRM, Social Media and Online Integrated campaigns for multiple clients. He has previously worked with companies like Flip Media Corp, Tribal DDB India and Digital Law & Kenneth. Most recently he was with BBDO Proximity as digital creative leader.

  • Prime Focus Technologies launches secure screener application for movie studios

    Prime Focus Technologies launches secure screener application for movie studios

    MUMBAI: With awards season around the corner and multiple screeners currently in circulation, Prime Focus Technologies (PFT) will be offering SecureScreener as the industry’s first digital, contemporary and safe screener application.

     

    SecureScreener, a superior substitute to DVD and online channel distribution, is part of Clear, the world’s first and most proven hybrid cloud-enabled Media ERP Suite that virtualises the content supply chain.

     

    SecureScreener provides entertainment companies with a robust alternative to the logistical hassle of shipping DVD screeners, as well as peace of mind that screener content is always secure. The application offers access to content anytime, anywhere, while also providing instant feedback including exactly who has viewed, shared and downloaded watermarked content with the option to further customise with expiration and access settings. Recipients even have the option to view the content offline.

     

    Through Clear’s unbreakable Secure Player, SecureScreener delivers a safe, high-quality viewing experience on a variety of platforms, ensuring a seamless end-to-end experience.The Secure Screener is also available as an iPad app.

     

    The cloud-based application also addresses the financial commitments made by studios by eliminating recurring costs that has no productive use. In fact, it is estimated that for every $20 of direct cost spent on physical screeners, $80 more are lost in indirect costs. SecureScreener provides a solution to this monetary drain, reducing the overall cost of screener distribution.

     

    “As studios continue to grapple with the challenges of security in the digital age, SecureScreener stands alone as the safe, cloud-based solution to piracy threats, providing peace of mind that content is secure. In addition to the threat of piracy, there’s a large financial commitment made each year to screeners, both direct and indirect. SecureScreener reduces costs, while also providing studios with more control over their content than ever before,” said Prime Focus Technologies founder and CEO Ramki Sankaranarayanan. 

     

    SecureScreener is one of five Clear modules addressing specific business challenges to help broadcasters, studios, brands, sports and digital businesses drive creative enablement, enhance ecosystem efficiencies and sustainability, reduce cost and realise new monetisation opportunities. SecureScreener is available as a standalone business solution or bundled together as a Cloud Media ERP Suite with: Cloud MAM, Operations Cloud, Broadcast Cloud and Production Cloud.

  • Chuck Robbins takes over as Cisco CEO

    Chuck Robbins takes over as Cisco CEO

    NEW DELHI: Telecom vendor Cisco has appointed an insider, Chuck Robbins as its chief executive officer. 

     

    The policy of upgrading an insider is very much like that adopted by Microsoft, which had taken Indian born Satya Nadella for the top job. Robbins will take over the CEO position from John Chambers, who led the rise of Cisco for the last 20 years. Chambers will assume the role of executive chairman on 26 July.

     

    Robbins, who joined Cisco in 1997, knows every Cisco segment, technology area, and geography.

     

    Cisco chairman and CEO John Chambers said, “Our next CEO needs to thrive in a highly dynamic environment, to be capable of accelerating what is working very well for Cisco, and disrupting what needs to change.”

     

    He recently served as Cisco’s senior vice president of worldwide operations, leading the company’s global sales and partner team that drives $47 billion in business for the company. He was formerly Cisco’s senior vice president of the Americas.

     

    He has helped lead and execute many of the company’s investments and strategy shifts, including building the industry’s most powerful partner programme, now worth more than $40 billion in revenue to the company each year.

     

    He was also a key architect of the company’s strategy for the commercial business segment, which grew eight per cent year-over-year last quarter, and now represents 25 per cent of Cisco’s total business. He has sponsored the security and collaboration businesses at the executive level and was a sponsor for the Sourcefire and Meraki acquisitions.

     

    As a member of the team that has led Cisco’s transformation over the more than three years, Robbins has driven the reinvention of Cisco’s sales organization, cementing its place as the envy of the industry. But the growth of Cisco in the last two years was not impressive due to tough market conditions.

     

    Chambers has served as CEO of Cisco since January 1995, having joined the company in 1991 as the head of sales. He has grown the company from $1.2 billion in annual revenue to its current run rate of $48 billion.

     

    According to a Cisco release, Robbins was also elected to the Board of Directors of Cisco, effective 1 May. 

     

    “This is the perfect time for Chuck Robbins to become Cisco’s next chief executive officer. We’ve selected a very strong leader at a time when Cisco is in a very strong position,” said Chambers.

     

    He added, “Today’s pace of change is exponential. Every company, city and country is becoming digital, navigating disruptive markets, and Cisco’s role in the digital transformation has never been more important. Chuck is unique in his ability to translate vision and strategy into world-class execution, bringing together teams and ecosystems to drive results. Chuck knows every Cisco segment, technology area, and geography, and will move the company forward with the speed required to capitalize on the opportunities in front of us. He is a champion of the Cisco culture and has an incredible ability to inspire, energize, and connect with employees, partners, customers and global leaders. Chuck’s vision, strategy and execution track record is exactly what Cisco needs as we enter our next chapter, which I am confident will be even more impactful and exciting than our last.”

     

    “I joined Cisco 17 years ago because I wanted to be a part of a company where I believed the possibilities were limitless. Today, I am even more convinced that Cisco is that company,” said Robbins. “Over the past 20 years, John Chambers’ vision and leadership have built Cisco into one of the most important companies in the world; a company fiercely committed to delivering for its customers, shareholders, partners, and employees. The opportunity that lies ahead for Cisco is enormous, and the ability to lead this next chapter is deeply humbling and incredibly exhilarating. I am focused on accelerating the innovation and execution that our customers need from us. Their success will continue to drive us. At a time when our industry is on the cusp of more disruption than we’ve ever encountered, I couldn’t be more confident in our ability to win, or more honored to lead this great company.”