MUMBAI: NDTV has recruited a senior advertising executive from rival broadcaster TV Today, as India’s news channels scramble for talent in an increasingly competitive market.
Sameer Anand, who spent four and a half years climbing the ranks at TV Today’s Hindi news channel Aajtak, has joined NDTV as assistant vice president. The move comes as broadcasters battle for advertising revenues in a market where every rupee counts.
Anand’s hire is a coup for NDTV Arena, the broadcaster’s sports arm. At Aajtak, he rose from assistant general manager to deputy general manager of ad sales, handling key corporate accounts that included blue-chip clients such as Maruti Suzuki, LG, Samsung and Panasonic during his earlier stint at Red FM.
The executive’s career spans nearly two decades across India’s media landscape, including stints at Zee Entertainment Enterprises and radio broadcaster Red FM, where he cut his teeth managing corporate sales for 13 years.
His appointment signals NDTV’s intent to bolster its commercial operations as Indian news channels face pressure from digital platforms and changing viewer habits. The broadcaster, which has weathered regulatory storms and ownership changes, is keen to strengthen its advertising revenues through experienced hands.
The hire also reflects the musical chairs nature of India’s media industry, where seasoned sales executives command premium salaries as channels vie for market share in a fragmented landscape.