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Tag: HT Media

  • Rupee112 appoints Hitesh Yadav as head of marketing

    Rupee112 appoints Hitesh Yadav as head of marketing

    MUMBAI: Rupee112, a rising star in India’s fintech space, has appointed Hitesh Yadav as its head of marketing, signalling an ambitious push to sharpen its brand and accelerate digital growth.

    Yadav brings over a decade of digital marketing experience, having helmed campaigns at Sammaan Capital Limited, Renewbuy, Innocean India, Publicis Groupe, ARM Worldwide, and HT Media. His expertise spans PPC, SEO, customer acquisition, and performance-driven strategies across fintech, insurance, and media.

    In his new role, Yadav will chart Rupee112’s marketing vision, spearhead campaigns that deliver measurable results, and deepen engagement across both online and offline channels.

    “I am thrilled to join Rupee112, a company that is redefining the fintech experience in India,” Yadav said. “My focus will be on strategies that drive growth while positioning Rupee112 as a benchmark in marketing innovation and customer engagement.”

    The move underlines Rupee112’s ambition to consolidate its position in India’s evolving lending ecosystem. The platform leverages data, digital tools, and customer-centric design to offer accessible and tailored credit solutions to millions of users.

    With Yadav at the helm, Rupee112 looks set to combine fintech innovation with marketing muscle, a pairing likely to keep competitors on their toes.
     

  • 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.

  • Times change again as Varun Kohli exits, Gopakumar takes interim charge

    Times change again as Varun Kohli exits, Gopakumar takes interim charge

    MUMBAI: Another shuffle at Times Network has set the industry buzzing. Varun Kohli, who joined as chief operating officer barely a year ago, has suddenly stepped down from the role. In the interim, Rohit Gopakumar, currently CEO of entertainment and digital business at The Times Group, has been handed charge of the broadcast business.

    The development comes against the backdrop of CEO M.K. Anand’s exit in July 2024, when he quit after more than a decade at Bennett, Coleman & Co. (BCCL). Kohli was brought in just a month earlier, in June 2024, to oversee the network’s revenue function across its television broadcast business.

    Kohli, a seasoned media professional, moved to Times Network from Bharat Express, where he spent a year and a half as director and CEO. Before that, he briefly helmed Sporty Media Solutionz as CEO and held senior stints at ITV Network (group CEO), Network18, HT Media, and Amar Ujala Prakashan.

    Meanwhile, Gopakumar isn’t new to the media house. He joined the group in August 2023 as CEO of Worldwide Media and was later elevated to lead entertainment and digital. His expanded remit now includes steering Times Network’s broadcast operations during a tricky phase for the industry.

    With two top exits in just over a year, Times Network finds itself once again at a leadership crossroads and all eyes will now be on how Gopakumar steadies the ship.

  • Urvashi Sharma joins Havas Play, bringing digital flair to experiential marketing

    Urvashi Sharma joins Havas Play, bringing digital flair to experiential marketing

    MUMBAI:  Urvashi Sharma has announced her move to Havas Play, taking on the role of associate vice president. This appointment marks a significant step in Sharma’s career, transitioning her extensive digital advertising sales experience into the realm of experiential marketing. 

    Sharma’s career boasts a strong track record in digital advertising sales, with significant tenures at MX Player and Zee5. At MX Player, she held various roles, including LCS lead: north and regional manager, demonstrating her expertise in strategy, account management, and business development. Her time at Zee5 as a business partner: north LCS further solidified her skills in digital brand solutions and strategic partnerships.

    Prior to her digital media roles, Sharma gained experience in brand solutions and events management at Bennett Coleman and Co Ltd. (Times group), askme.com, The Walt Disney Co, BloombergUTV, and Fever FM (HT Media Ltd.). These positions honed her abilities in client relations, negotiation, and large-scale event management. Her foundational experience includes a stint as a relationship specialist at Genpact

  • ABP tops the charts with regional flair and a digital news power play

    ABP tops the charts with regional flair and a digital news power play

    MUMBAI: Who says news is all doom and gloom? For ABP Network, it’s a story worth celebrating in five languages, no less. According to Comscore MMX-Multi-Platform data for February 2025, ABP Network has emerged as India’s third-largest digital publisher, pulling in a whopping 147.9 million unique visitors and outpacing media giants like HT Media, Zee Digital, India Today Group, Times Network, and NDTV.

    But this isn’t just a numbers game, it’s a masterclass in multilingual domination. ABP’s regional powerhouses are sweeping through Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Gujarati, and Punjabi markets like seasoned newsroom ninjas.

    In the Hindi segment, ABP News surged ahead with 75.7 million unique visitors, outshining its nearest rival by over 18 million, a staggering lead that cements its top slot in India’s most competitive news space.

    ABP Ananda waltzed through the Bengali market with 18.9 million UVs, dancing 11.8 million steps ahead of the competition. Meanwhile, ABP Majha proved its mettle in Marathi with 19.2 million visitors, comfortably ahead of Sakal Media and Lokmat.

    Over in Gujarat, ABP Asmita swept up 5.3 million unique visitors, leaving behind TV9 Gujarati, Divyabhaskar, and News18 Gujarati. ABP Sanjha flexed its Punjabi muscle with 1.2 million UVs, clinching the top spot ahead of News18 Punjab and Punjab Kesari Jagbani.

    And in the Tamil market, newcomer ABP Nadu made a statement, grabbing second place with 9 million visitors, becoming the youngest publisher to break into the leadership ranks.

    From legacy strongholds to new frontiers, ABP Network is clearly not just chasing eyeballs, it’s curating digital loyalty across India’s media map. With its blend of regional relevance, digital-first strategy, and journalistic agility, ABP isn’t just reporting the news, it’s rewriting the playbook.

  • HT Media announces leadership change: Sameer Singh to succeed Praveen Someshwar as group CEO

    HT Media announces leadership change: Sameer Singh to succeed Praveen Someshwar as group CEO

    MUMBAI: – HT Media’s board of directors, in a meeting held on 11 January, accepted the resignation of managing director &  CEO Praveen Someshwar, effective 28 February 2025. The board has approved the appointment of Sameer Singh as group chief executive officer, effective 1 March  2025, based on the recommendation of the nomination and remuneration committee.

    An alumnus of IIM Calcutta, Sameer Singh brings over 30 years of experience in digital innovation, brand marketing, and leadership across global markets. He currently heads north America global business solutions at TikTok/ByteDance, leading advertising and sales teams for the region. Previously, he held a similar leadership role for the Asia-Pacific region.

    Sameer has an impressive track record in media and marketing, having served as CEO of GroupM India and south Asia, where he championed digital transformation and content-driven strategies for clients. His career also includes key roles at Google, GSK, Procter & Gamble, and IPG, where he was instrumental in advancing digital strategies and optimising media investments.

    Having worked in cities such as New York, New Delhi, Palo Alto, Boston, London, Dubai, and Guangzhou, Sameer’s global perspective and expertise make him a strategic choice to lead HT Media into its next phase of growth.

    The leadership transition marks a significant step for HT Media as it continues to evolve in a rapidly changing media landscape.

  • HT Media’s Q2 report reflects continued losses amid revenue gains

    HT Media’s Q2 report reflects continued losses amid revenue gains

    Mumbai: HT Media Limited reported revenue from operations of Rs 42,375 lakhs for Q2 of fiscal year 2025, a 7.5 per cent increase over Q1 (Rs 37,851 lakhs) and a 7.6 per cent increase year-over-year from Rs 39,399 lakhs. This upward trend reflects the firm’s aggressive digital strategy and market resilience. However, operating costs outpaced revenue growth, with total expenses rising to Rs 48,867 lakhs from Rs 46,544 lakhs in the previous quarter, driven primarily by material costs, employee expenses, and finance charges. The escalating costs reflect broader inflationary pressures impacting raw materials and payroll, challenging HT Media’s path to profitability.

    For the six months ending September 2024, HT Media reported consolidated revenue of Rs 90,638 lakhs, marking a 3.9 per cent rise from Rs 87,215 lakhs in the same period last year. Yet, with rising operational expenses—particularly in staffing and other essential areas—the company recorded a net loss of Rs 5,695 lakhs. The quarter’s EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortisation) stood at Rs 3,273 lakhs, although the profit before tax was reported as a loss at Rs 939 lakhs.

    The financial report underscores challenges in key segments. HT Media’s print and publishing revenue contributed the lion’s share at Rs 33,420 lakhs, but radio broadcasting and entertainment and digital segments also demonstrated resilience. However, employee benefits climbed to Rs 10,923 lakhs in Q2, a 7.5 per cent increase over Q1, impacting bottom-line growth.

    In line with its strategic restructuring, HT Media has sought to cut liabilities, including the partial disposal of investment property and reclassification of assets held for sale. The company’s long-term liabilities fell from Rs 25,303 lakhs in March 2024 to Rs 20,849 lakhs in September 2024, aided by asset sales and targeted debt management.  

    HT Media reiterated its commitment to recalibrate its portfolio, focusing on emerging revenue streams in digital content and radio. These areas saw significant audience engagement, with digital revenue climbing to Rs 5,551 lakhs, an increase of 18.7 per cent over the previous quarter.

    Looking ahead, HT Media remains focused on capturing digital market share, leveraging its audience reach across diverse platforms. Key challenges remain in managing operational costs amid inflationary pressures and aligning revenue generation with sustainable profit margins. With a current liability ratio of 0.85 times, the company plans to optimise cash flow by driving operational efficiencies.

     

  • HT Media hopeful of a resurgence in the mid to long term

    HT Media hopeful of a resurgence in the mid to long term

    Mumbai: In a message to shareholders to announce its first quarter results, HT Media, Hindustan Media Ventures chairperson and editorial director Shobhana Bhartia said that in the near term, the company expects market sentiment and growth to remain a bit subdued but is hopeful of a resurgence in the mid to long term. “Despite external macro headwinds, we remain committed to our journalism and to serving all our customers and stakeholders.”

    She noted that the first quarter of FY 2022–23 began on a positive note with a strong performance in the previous fiscal year, with overall business performance and the larger economic and business environment seeing considerable improvement, especially in the latter half of the fiscal. 

    “But it also began amidst indications of headwinds in terms of escalating material input costs owing to geopolitical tensions and protracted global conflicts. Our print business saw significant pricing pressure as material prices continued to remain at elevated levels even as a rise in general inflation impacted the overall cost of doing business. Advertising revenue across print, radio, and circulation revenues remained healthy.”

    HT Media posted its consolidated net losses, narrowed to Rs 41.80 crore for the quarter ended 30 June. Revenue from operations rose 72.5 per cent to Rs 420.09 crore during the same period against Rs 243.53 in the corresponding period of the previous year.

    Total expenses recorded during the quarter stood at Rs 496.78 crore compared to Rs 371.69 crore. 

    HT Media’s revenue from printing & publishing of newspapers and periodicals surged 71.51 per cent YoY to Rs 347.65 crore in Q1 FY2022-23.

    Its revenue from radio broadcast and entertainment rose two-fold to Rs 33.36 crore and digital was at Rs 38.76 crore, up 33.47 per cent.

    On the outlook, Bhartia said, “In the near term, we expect market sentiment and growth to remain a bit subdued, but are hopeful of a resurgence in the mid to long term. Despite external macro headwinds, we remain committed to our journalism and to serving all our customers and stakeholders.”

  • Pubnation: Cover prices form important part of print media revenue

    Pubnation: Cover prices form important part of print media revenue

    NEW DELHI: In the last few years, the input costs for newspapers has gone up coupled with the economic slowdown. It has been a point of concern for the publishing houses as their business model is much tilted towards advertising. 

    At Pubnation, the virtual roundtable organised by Indiantelevision.com, in which representatives of leading media houses were present as panel members. This includes The Hindu chief revenue officer Suresh Balakrishna; Malayala Manorama VP marketing and ad sales Varghese Chandy; Punjab Kesari Group director Abhijay Chopra; Sakshi Media Group ED & CEO Vinay Maheshwari; HT Media Ltd executive director Rajeev Beotra; The Pioneer general manager Gurudatta Jha. The session was moderated by IndianTelevision.com Group founder CEO and Editor-in-chief Anil Wanvari.

    Experts stressed that it is important to strike a balance between the cover price and advertising. Companies should not rely on one specific model to run the business.

    Overdependence on this kind of business model is creating a lot of pressure.

    In the past few years, many newspapers have been hiking their cover prices. Experts believe that it's a necessary measure. Right now, cover prices across publications are 35-40 per cent higher than what they were three-four years ago, said Maheshwari. “They are certainly going to go up further, but it is not because of Covid situation. We increased the cover price last month and have not lost an iota.”

     Punjab Kesari also increased its cover price without any impact on its circulation, claimed Chopra. “I believe the cover price describes your product. The fact your newspaper is so expensive because you are putting in good content, and associating your brand to a premium level actually leads to an increase in ad prices. It will also help the advertiser movement,” he explained.

    When it comes to pricing, Balakrishna proudly stated that The Hindu is the most expensive English newspaper in the country by a mile and a half – because of its great content, and users should pay for it. “We are at 63:37 the ratio of the advertiser to subscriber money. It is quite handsome for a newspaper. The moment you are less reliant on advertising revenue you can have proper pricing; you need not be pushed by media agencies.”

    However, having a different view from the rest of the panelists, Jha asserted that the cover price does not contribute much to their revenue and the business was mostly dependent on advertising revenue. “Even if we think of increasing the cost price it will not help us, and in the last few years, we have not increased any cost price. Our newspaper is only Rs 3, and still, we are doing pretty fine, our e-papers are also free. We have 90 per cent advertising revenue and 10 per cent subscription.”

  • HT Media acquires Mosaic Media Ventures

    HT Media acquires Mosaic Media Ventures

    NEW DELHI: HT Media, today, announced is all set to acquire Mosaic Media Ventures, which was incorporated in the year 2007 and operates news platforms including VCCircle, TechCircle. It provides subscription-based research databases.  

    In a BSE filing, HT Media said, “The board of directors at its meeting held on 28 July 2020 accorded approval to invest up to Rs six crore post working capital adjustment and revenue linked milestones payment up to Rs one crore on a deferred basis, to acquire 100 per cent of paid-up share capital of Mosaic held by NWS Digital Asia PTE Ltd and News Corporation subject to finalisation of definitive agreements.”

    According to BSE, the shares of HT Media was last trading at Rs 12.03 as compared to the previous close of Rs 12.52 and the total number of shares traded during the day was 13189 in over 60 trades. The stock has hit an intraday high of Rs 12.5 and intraday low of Rs 11.83. The net turnover during the day was Rs 1,60,971.

    The acquisition will scale VCCircle and TechCircle to augment Mint’s tech and editorial capacities. Hindustan Times’ reach will be used to augment VCCircle event business and will help scale the database and research business. The company is said to complete the procedure before 30 August.

    Mosaic’s turnover in FY20 was Rs 14.5 core.

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