News Broadcasting
CNN unveils global ‘CNN Heroes’ initiative
MUMBAI: News broadcaster CNN has launched a global initiative to showcase CNN Heroes. These are ordinary people who accomplish extraordinary deeds in areas ranging from the environment to civil rights. Culminating in a year-end awards gala, the network will honor the most outstanding of viewer-submitted nominees from around the world. The “CNN Heroes” initiative is the first of its kind for the network.
CNN anchor Anderson Cooper, along with an array of notable co-hosts to be announced later this year, will present the winners of “The CNN Hero Awards” during a special live global broadcast on 6 December. The gala will include musical performances and documentary tributes to those being honored as well as to their accomplishments and continued work.
Walton said, “Our journalists come across these individuals every single day on the job, but they do not always get to tell these inspiring stories. With the help of our global audience, we turn the spotlight on those people who serve as an example of how a single person can make a difference.”
From 1 May 2007 till September CNN’s networks and services, including CNN, Headline News and CNN.com, will feature examples of “everyday heroes” and encourage viewers to submit and nominate people in their own communities whom they find deserving of a CNN Hero Award. CNN International and CNN en Español will begin airing the profiles in June. Nomination forms will be available online at www.CNN.com/Heroes. A blue-ribbon panel will select the winners.
Awards will be given in the following categories: “Defending the Planet,” innovative efforts to preserve and protect the environment; “Fighting for Justice,” advancing the cause of civil or equal rights; “Community Crusader,” creating solutions to a local program or social issue; “Medical Marvel,” dedication to the enhancement of human health; “Championing Children,” commitment to the welfare of young people; and “Young Wonder,” outstanding achievement by a person under the age of 18.
News Broadcasting
GenNext takes charge as Network18 reshuffles leadership
With Avinash Kaul bowing out, Network18 hands reins to younger leaders, streamlines operations, and pushes data-driven growth across TV, digital and regional markets
MUMBAI: Network18 is redrawing its leadership map just as a long-time lieutenant bows out. Avinash Kaul, a central figure in the broadcaster’s rise since 2014, is leaving after 12 years to pursue “professional and personal goals”, triggering a broad-based reshuffle that puts a younger cohort directly under the top brass.
Kaul joined at a pivotal moment during the company’s transition and went on to scale the television business, combining strategic nous with data-led decision-making and a sharp read of the news landscape. “Avinash has been an integral part of the Network18 story,” the company said, thanking him for his leadership of the broadcast business and wishing him the best for the future.
In his wake, Network18 is betting on what it calls a “young and restless” leadership bench. “The team has taken charge and proved its mettle in quite adverse circumstances,” the note said, adding that “GenNext has seamlessly stepped in as we continue to outperform our peers.”
Operationally, the structure is being flattened. Smriti Mehra, S Shivakumar and Mitul Sangani will work directly with the top leadership, as they did in the fourth quarter. Ganesh Iyer and Abhinay Chauhan continue in their existing roles, while younger executives are being handed wider mandates across social, digital, connected TV and linear.
The reporting lines are being tightened to drive revenue and product momentum. Prabhat Chatterjee, business head–Forbes, and Arun Thapar, president–content and communication for AETN-18, will report to Smriti Mehra, alongside Mallika Nath Handa, who will lead special projects spanning new shows and non-linear properties. Jayesh Gokalgandhi, CFO for AETN-18, will report to Ramesh Damani.
Mitul Sangani will oversee expansion in Hindi and regional markets, with Sidharth Newatia, CRO–ILC, focusing on reach and revenue growth, particularly in tier-II and III markets. Pankaj Soni, head of marketing–ILC, will also report to Sangani while working functionally with Ganesh Iyer.
The group is also consolidating its branded content play. Moneycontrol’s branded content business will be folded into News18 Studio, with Don Zarrar moving to work with Shivakumar while continuing to lead existing studio and Focus teams.
International and platform growth are being bundled together. Pranav Bakshi takes on additional charge of the international business alongside connected TV and social platforms, with Naveen Mathur, who leads revenue management for the international unit, reporting to him. Bakshi continues to report to Puneet Singhvi.
On the technology and operations side, Rajesh Sharma, head of broadcast technology and IT; Rahul Singh, head of events and technical operations; and Bhupender Bhardwaj, head of IT security, will now report to Singhvi. Darshil Parekh, head of sales strategy, planning and operations, will work directly with Ramesh Damani and the top leadership, with Stanley Cyril, who manages digital sales operations, reporting to him.
Data is being pushed to the centre of decision-making. Jitamitra Mohanty, who leads research and analytics, will now work with Santosh Menon to turn audience data into “actionable insights that drive content strategy, product innovation and sustainable viewership growth”.
The message is clear: fewer layers, faster calls, sharper bets. With Kaul’s exit closing one chapter, Network18 is handing the wheel to a younger crew and doubling down on scale across screens. The race, it signals, will be run at full tilt.
