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Tag: Siddharth Zarabi

  • Siddharth Zarabi and Alok Nair take charge of Business Today in sweeping leadership shuffle

    Siddharth Zarabi and Alok Nair take charge of Business Today in sweeping leadership shuffle

    MUMBAI: At Business Today, the winds of change are charging at bull-run speed. In a significant leadership shake-up announced by the India Today Group, Siddharth Zarabi has been elevated to the role of group editor, while Alok Nair has taken independent charge of the overall Strategic Business Unit (SBU). Both executives now steer one of India’s most influential business media outfits into its next ambitious chapter.

    Zarabi, who has been with Business Today for just four years, will now helm the brand’s digital mandate in addition to his leadership across print and TV. With this expanded portfolio, Zarabi completes the vision of a unified, synergistic business vertical across platforms—a strategy laid out by Aroon Purie and the Group’s top brass. In his new role, he reports to Purie for print and to the author of the announcement for digital and TV operations.

    Congratulating Zarabi, the note hailed his growth as a homegrown ITG talent and recognised his leadership in shaping Business Today’s editorial voice. His promotion positions him at the forefront of an integrated content strategy amid growing media convergence.

    On the business side, Business Today COO Nair has taken independent charge of the entire SBU. Having spent four years scaling up the business, Nair has seamlessly integrated into the company’s high-performance culture. The announcement lauded his blend of energy, vision, and what were cheekily referred to as “magic beans”.

    Nair will now report directly to India Today Group, group CEO Dinesh Bhatia. His elevation is seen as a bold move to energise Business Today’s business trajectory and deepen its market impact.

    In a separate but equally enthusiastic email, Kamlesh Kishore Singh, host of the podcast Teen Taal was welcomed back into the newsroom after a brief sabbatical. Singh, known for his 16-year stint at the group and his mentorship at Lallantop, resumes a full-time role from 1 May, adding further heft to the Group’s editorial firepower.

    With Singh’s ‘unretirement’, the reunion with longtime collaborator Venkat promises what leadership calls a “lethal combo” for doubling down on AI and digital transformation. In lighter moments, the note teases an “Unfarewell party” to celebrate his return.

    Both announcements underline India Today Group’s renewed faith in internal leadership and long-standing editorial talent. “Get ready for a real bull run”, the memo concludes—a statement that may apply as much to markets as it does to this spirited newsroom.
     

  • India Today group elevates Siddharth Zarabi as editor of Business Today Multiverse

    India Today group elevates Siddharth Zarabi as editor of Business Today Multiverse

    MUMBAI: In a defining moment for Indian journalism, Siddharth Zarabi steps into the spotlight as editor of Business Today Multiverse. The India Today Group’s announcement marks a pivotal chapter, entrusting Zarabi to orchestrate the editorial symphony across Business Today’s diverse platforms—print, digital, and streaming.

    With a career steeped in financial journalism and a reputation for sharp insights, Zarabi’s elevation signals a bold new era for the brand. This leadership move embodies the spirit of innovation and excellence that continues to define Business Today in an ever-evolving media landscape.

    With over 27 years of journalism experience, Zarabi brings a wealth of expertise and insight to the role. Since joining Business Today as managing editor in 2021, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the brand’s editorial vision, driving impactful coverage and innovative storytelling in business journalism.

  • Business Today appoints Sourav Majumdar as editor, Siddharth Zarabi to lead Business Today TV

    Business Today appoints Sourav Majumdar as editor, Siddharth Zarabi to lead Business Today TV

    New Delhi: After naming Udayan Mukherjee as its global business editor, the India Today Group on Wednesday announced two more big-ticket appointments as part of its larger plan to bolster its coverage of business news in the post-pandemic economic order.  
     
    The network has named prominent magazine editor, Sourav Majumdar, as the new editor of the Business Today Magazine, and Siddharth Zarabi, former editor of Bloomberg TV, as the managing editor of Business Today TV. 
     
    In a career spanning three decades, Majumdar has worked with several leading media outlets with leadership experience across platforms. He was initially associated with brands like The Financial Express and Business Standard in various capacities. In his most recent role, he was editor of the Indian editions of Fortune and Forbes. Prior to that, Majumdar was editor-in-chief of Entrepreneur.
     
    “It’s genuinely exciting to join an organisation that I believe is the Gold Standard of Journalism –the India Today Group,” he said of his new role at the ITG. “I look forward to being part of Business Today, as it makes a deep and dramatic transformation into a digital-first, multimedia offering with the magazine as a center-piece. India, and indeed the world, is witnessing dramatic change and we hope to bring compelling stories of this change to the readers of today.”
     
    Zarabi is a prominent prime-time business anchor, who has led newsrooms in marquee print and television media outlets, including Bloomberg TV India as its editor till recently.
     
    Noted for his stellar track record in covering Indian financial markets, macro-economy, regulatory and administrative architecture, he possesses first-hand experience of economic policy formulation in India since 1997, said the network in a statement.
     
    “I am delighted to be part of the India Today family. I look forward to being part of the Group’s latest foray as it expands and enlarges its business content offerings across television, print, and digital platforms to offer meaningful content as India navigates the post-pandemic economic era,” Zarabi said.
     
    Speaking on the appointments, the India Today Group vice-chairperson Kallie Purie said, “Every once in a while, the business arena goes through an irreversible change. In the midst of this disruptive flutter, the real journalists and real ideas reshape the world. We are happy to be on the leading edge of this transformational journey with the most credible journalists, an enviable legacy and a truly Omni platform multimedia BUSINESS TODAY Experience”

  • NEWJ (New Emerging World of Journalism Limited) announces appointment of Siddharth Zarabi as Managing Editor

    NEWJ (New Emerging World of Journalism Limited) announces appointment of Siddharth Zarabi as Managing Editor

    NEWJ (New Emerging World of Journalism Limited) today announced the appointment of senior journalist Siddharth Zarabi as the Managing Editor.
    An award-winning media professional and Chevening Scholar, Siddharth Zarabi is among India’s best-known journalists with over two decades of experience as a results-oriented, decisive leader.

    Siddharth has led newsrooms in marquee Indian print companies, as well as headed two business news channels with global partners. Credited with multiple content and platform innovations in the fiercely competitive news industry, he has deep knowledge and wide experience across the media value chain.
    NEWJ, one of India’s fastest growing tech-media startups, was founded by a team of young entrepreneurs led by Shalabh Upadhyay.

    It is a video-only, mobile-first publisher focused on curating and producing high impact video content for the smartphone obsessed young Indians. As a “social-first” publisher, NEWJ has, since its launch in January 2019, produced and distributed over 10,000 videos in 7 languages, aggregating over 4 billion views while creating an audience of over 6 million across 12+ social media and OTT platforms. As many as 550 video stories produced by the ‘NEWJRoom’ have recorded over a million views each.

    Speaking on the appointment, Shalabh Upadhyay, Founder & CEO said, “It gives me great pleasure to welcome Siddharth on board at NEWJ to drive growth and value creation. As a young startup, we have achieved significant landmarks in a short span of time. In the midst of the massive disruption caused by the Covid19 pandemic, we believe now is the time to ramp up our mission of creating a voice for India’s emerging youth. In the fast-growing digital media landscape, we are committed to providing a platform for young journalists and content creators by continuing to expand our team.”

    “In the days ahead, NEWJ aims to scale up its capabilities in visual storytelling with a focus on #BharatFirst. An important part of this mission will be to deepen efforts to reduce the urban-rural divide in India’s new media space by leveraging data and tech to serve one of the largest and fastest growing news markets in the world. Our mission is to tell stories that matter to India’s masses. NEWJ remains committed to helping build a ‘Digital Bharat’ and grow the country’s Digital Knowledge Economy through impactful and India-centric storytelling”, Upadhyay added.

    Speaking on the new assignment, Siddharth Zarabi said, “India’s news media landscape is witnessing a massive transformation. The costs of the past and the legacy of old systems are weighing on innovation in content creation. The ongoing disruption is sowing the seeds for a new generation of tech-enabled, data driven news producers. The news consumer of tomorrow will be even more ‘social’ than today and continue to ‘distance’ from existing, legacy news platforms.”
    “Affordable data and connected devices have meant that an unprecedented amount of news is being consumed socially. NEWJ is extremely well placed to lead the ongoing transformational shift in the industry. I look forward to working with the phenomenal NEWJ team to continue serving great content to 400 million plus Indians active on social platforms like Facebook among others”, Zarabi added.

    The startup’s ‘NEWJRoom’ currently produces videos in seven languages – Hindi, English, Tamil, Bangla, Marathi, Telugu, and Kannada. Some of the most popular offerings are NEWJ Rajneeti, NEWJ Dharohar, NEWJ Garv and Filmy NEWJ.

  • BTVI says biz news will continue to stay relevant

    BTVI says biz news will continue to stay relevant

    MUMBAI: It isn’t easy to make a mark in niche genres but two years post launch, Business Television India (BTVI), the English business news channel, has leveraged on editorial strengths to grab the third spot.

    BTVI COO Megha Tata said, “In the last two years of our existence, we have had an incredible journey. Our content has been a huge differentiator and there is always scope for innovation. Of course, there are multiple other reasons as well such as growth in reach through our marketing distribution activities, digital performances.”

    The channel is currently available on several financial apps like, IIFL, Kotak, HDFC Securities, Axis Bank, etc and caters to the audience who are keen to know about this space. BTVI is the only channel which is live streaming on these apps. It is also distributed on all key OTT platforms like Hotstar, Reliance Jio, Yupp TV, Airtel VOD and also on Tata Sky VOD. 

    Tata believes that the conversations that are happening are more relevant than a weekly analysis of data. The average time spent on the channel currently is 25-30 minutes.

    BTVI executive editor Siddharth Zarabi said, “There are other sectors of news globally which are seeing de-growth but financial news will continue to retain relevance and importance because it is a highly specialised offering and the stock markets in India has done phenomenally well and they will continue to do so.”   

    The channel will soon launch a campaign about its digital offering and growth. The channel’s current focus is on six metros because that’s where its core audience is and the channel is 100 per cent distributed here. BTVI says its market share has shot up from 2-4 per cent to 18-20 per cent in these two years.

    However, to retain viewership beyond market hours, which is the prime time of the channel, BTVI is taking certain measures. Tata said, “As market hours is the key focus for the channels in the business genre, we went beyond the market hours as well. We have done an analysis and we don’t see a very large audience out there in the tier II cities for the English business news play.” 

    Tata believes that the English business news genre has space only for three players. Overall, the genre according to her is Rs 400-500 crore in terms of revenue.

    BTVI head marketing, research and branded content Anuj Katiyar said, “Our strategies and our content are completely driven by the ecosystem. So we don’t do high decibel plans by pushing a lot of money but it is far more focused and strategic in terms of our target audience with specific content.”

    The channel had a phenomenal year considering advertising revenue. Ad rates increased by 60 per cent this year compared to the last. 

    “We have got some exclusive clients on board which moved out from their existing channel preferences to us. We have also got great branded content pieces on the automobile front with brands like Mercedes, Hyundai, Nissan and Toyota. The channel also has some new brands on board like Jeep and Indeed,” Tata added.

    According to BARC rating of week 34, BTVI is in the third position in English business news with 123 impressions (000s) sum. The genre is lead by CNBC TV18, with 618 impressions (000s) sum.

  • One year of GST: BTVI analyses the impact of the biggest indirect tax reform in India’s history

    One year of GST: BTVI analyses the impact of the biggest indirect tax reform in India’s history

    MUMBAI: History was created when the country witnessed the biggest and most important indirect tax reform-the goods and services tax (GST). The reform that took nearly 17 years of intense debate was finally implemented subsuming most indirect taxes at the central and state levels.

    With the first anniversary of this landmark reform approaching, BTVI brings to you a special series “GST @ 1” where BTVI is talking to prominent people from industry, government officials and tax experts to analyse the impact and whether the first year has delivered what was promised.

    BTVI, Executive Editor, Mr Siddharth Zarabi said “It was a bold movement by the government to pass GST and there was a lot of teething trouble initially. However, things are better now and companies say that any GST led disruption is behind them. The GST has delivered on the ‘One nation, One tax’ aim, but several more improvements are needed for it to truly be a good and simple tax”.

    “In this series we pose key questions including whether GST has helped in the formalisation of India’s economy”, Zarabi added.

    Catch the special series “GST @ 1” this week (started Monday, June 25) at 8:30 PM only on Business Television India (BTVI).

  • BTVI’s Financial Planner engages with audience on personal wealth creation

    BTVI’s Financial Planner engages with audience on personal wealth creation

    MUMBAI: BTVI, India’s premiere English business news channel hosted the on-ground event ‘Financial Planner’ in Pune and Mumbai. The channel has introduced this on-ground interactive opportunity for its viewers where a financial expert helps them build a solid financial future.

    Ms. Samina Nalwala, Senior anchor, BTVI had an impactful conversation with Mr. Feroze Azeez, Deputy CEO, Anand Rathi Private Wealth Management on various facets of efficient financial planning. The session provided in-depth knowledge on personal finance with recommendations on investment options to multiply wealth and attain financial independence. . The duo also answered questions on various aspects of wealth creation from investing in mutual funds, stocks to multiplying return on investments with long term wealth creation plans.

    “It has always been our objective to update and educate our audiences about the latest happenings in the financial market. We have conceptualized ‘Financial Planner’ to impart knowledge and aid every individual with the financial know-how necessary in this economy. This on-ground session with an expert helps viewers understand the economic know-how, possess knowledge and develop skills to ascertain different options available to achieve long term wealth creation.” said Siddharth Zarabi, Executive Editor, Business Television India (BTVI).

  • BTVI brings power packed line up to decode Budget 2018

    BTVI brings power packed line up to decode Budget 2018

    MUMBAI: As the Central Government gears up to present the last full budget before elections in 2019, India’s premiere English business news channel, BTVI has launched a power packed line up of shows in the run up to Union Budget 2018. Given the significance of this budget, the channel has aptly introduced the theme ‘For New India’ for its entire budget programming. The consumer- centric programming and quick analysis focuses on ‘Build Your Portfolio’ which will help viewers to ‘Save. Invest. Prosper’ in the long run.

    BTVI will bring special programming, covering news, trends, analysis, and insights by best minds from India Inc., markets and economy to its viewers with #OpinionsThatCount. The experts will analyse the expectations of common man and Impact of Union Budget on markets and economy. Budget programming will focus on various aspects of possible budgetary announcements. Recently BTVI hosted an exclusive on-ground session ‘Invest in India – Bharatmala Special’, focussed on the infrastructural growth of the country and its transformational impact on our economy.

    “With a keen eye on the Indian economy, growth agenda, India Inc.’s performance and expectations from the Budget, BTVI has always focussed on providing differentiated content and real-time updates to our viewers. With our association with Republic TV especially for the Union Budget, I am very confident about delivering an all-round perspective on the budget.”  said, Megha Tata, COO, Business Television India (BTVI)

    “With all eyes on the much-anticipated Budget 2018 we have lined up a comprehensive mix of special programming that will provide audience a holistic view of the budget through analysis and its impact across sectors. We have always provided our viewers with sharply focussed content and our shows are designed to cater to key stakeholders in the economy ranging from an industrialist to a common man. BTVI is poised to present yet another significant budget season with a prominent line up of economists, market experts, CEOs and foreign investors.” said, Siddharth Zarabi, Executive Editor, Business Television India (BTVI)

    ‎BTVI, Head – Marketing and Research, Anuj Katiyar said, “In addition to the on-air line-up, BTVI has designed a 360 degree campaign across different platforms i.e radio, print, trade, outdoor and digital. With programming focussed on the consumer benefit, the marketing plan has been devised keeping the consumer touch points in mind. The campaign brings forth the consumer needs and drives them to the channel where the needs are addressed through our editorial initiatives.”

  • How to build wealth, invest safely: BTVI Conclave telecast tonight

    How to build wealth, invest safely: BTVI Conclave telecast tonight

    MUMBAI: BTVI, an English business news channel, hosted an on-ground version of their successful investment knowledge show Call BTVI. The on-ground ‘Call BTVI Conclave 2017’ saw eminent personalities coming together to articulate their views on the Indian financial market. Tune into BTVI to catch the Call BTVI Conclave 2017 on 18 October at 8:30 pm.

    The panel included leading industry stalwarts and market veterans BSE MD and CEO Ashish Chauhan, Leo Puri, MD & CEO, UTI MF; Arun Kejriwal, Founder, KRIS; Gaurang Shah, Head-Investment Strategist, Geojit Financial Services & Hemen Kapadia, HoR, KR Choksey Investment Manager Ltd who advised the audience on building wealth and safe investing. The panel also answered questions on various aspects of wealth creation from trading in stocks to investing in mutual funds.

    “The current government has introduced revolutionary policy changes, which have been taken in good stride by fellow Indians. India’s markets are fairly valued and developing in a healthy manner, ensuring sustainable long term growth, said Leo Puri, MD & CEO, UTI MF.

    Adding to this, Chauhan said, “The market looks progressive and the economy is expanding on the back of reforms like implementation of GST, Aadhar and Cash Benefit Transfer. Though these reforms have been executed rapidly, creating momentary disturbances; they indicate long term growth for India. In the next 10-12 years, the Sensex is expected to grow in double digit numbers, which will subsequently lead to phenomenal development in India.”

    Speaking about the ‘On Call BTVI Conclave 2017’, Siddharth Zarabi, Executive Editor, BTVI, said, “We continue to focus on offering content that is engaging and knowledge enhancing. Our channel aims to inform and empower viewers through consistent programming that covers the entire spectrum of wealth creation.”

  • BTVi pledges #MissionNoEmission for greener environment

    MUMBAI: On World Environment Day, Business Television India is propagating the pledge of #MissionNoEmission towards India becoming a pollution free country.

    Through this campaign, the channel is working towards building a greener and cleaner environment. Starting today June 5, the first six episodes focused on the ‘Grow Green’ theme are getting unveiled.

    In the first episode of the series starting today, the channel along with prominent corporates and government authorities will discuss electric/hybrid vehicles in India, the mission of All Electric Vehicles by 2030, the need for infrastructure and manufacturing of electrical vehicles in India.

    In the subsequent episodes, the channel will cover topics like Make in India – an initiative by the government for electrical vehicles, government policy for zero emission and policies to reduce carbon footprints, government’s role to boost solar and wind energy in India, initiatives to bring investors to build solar energy parks in the country and the policies for renewable energy and manufacturing of electrical vehicles. The series will also feature prominent auto ancillaries on their preparedness to take on Indian government’s 2030 vision.

    On this initiative taken by BTVi, Siddharth Zarabi, Executive Editor, BTVi, said “This initiative engages relevant and key opinion makers to plan and strategize for making India more green and clean. The series will emphasize on the government’s role to boost green environment, sustainable energy and steps taken by corporates to encourage pollution free environment. We are proud to present the #MissionNoEmission initiative.

    Tune into BTVi on June 5 to catch the conversation to build a greener India at 7:30pm.