MAM
IMG acquires CSI sports
MUMBAI: Global sports marketing major IMG today announced it has acquired rival CSI Sports group of companies from CSI Sports’ management team. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
CSI’s portfolio of clients includes English football’s governing body, the Football Association, and Football League (including the Carling Cup) as well as the England and Wales Cricket Board; Cricket Australia; New Zealand Cricket; Cricket South Africa; and Zimbabwe Cricket. Previously, CSI Sports was part of Octagon Worldwide, a wholly owned subsidiary of Interpublic Group.
IMG, which is owned by the Interpublic Group, said “there would be a simple integration process – CSI’s management team will continue to look after the interests of their clients, who will also benefit from IMG Media’s unparalleled global distribution network and extensive sales and marketing expertise.”
Chris Guinness, the former President of Octagon CSI and a former IMG employee, will also return to IMG.
Michel Masquelier, executive vice president and IMG Media’s head of acquisition & sales worldwide, said: “I am delighted to announce the acquisition of CSI Sports given its client portfolio which represents an excellent fit with IMG Media, complementing perfectly our own existing properties.
This acquisition will enable us to remain on target to fulfil our strategic growth plans. I am also particularly delighted to welcome back Chris Guinness, an old time friend of mine. We look forward to working with Chris and his team who will assist us in the development of new business.”
Chris Guinness said: “Having successfully completed the management buyout of CSI Sports from Interpublic Group, the challenge was how to build upon the company’s sound financial platform and excellent client portfolio to ensure future growth. The complementary nature of the two companies’ businesses and the global financial and distribution strength of IMG Media make it an ideal strategic fit for CSI Sports.”
Brands
Hiili names Sanjay Hemady as country manager India
Media veteran to drive digital decarbonisation push
MUMBAI: Climate tech firm Hiili has announced its entry into India, appointing industry veteran Sanjay Hemady as India country manager to steer its growth in one of the world’s fastest-expanding digital markets.
Hemady, a familiar name across India’s media and consulting circles, will lead Hiili’s India operations from Mumbai. His mandate is clear: help Indian companies measure, manage and reduce the carbon emissions generated by their digital services.
Hiili offers a scientifically validated platform, certified by the UC3M-Santander Big Data Institute, that enables businesses to improve the efficiency of their digital infrastructure while cutting emissions. As organisations race to meet ESG targets, the company positions itself as a practical bridge between climate pledges and measurable action.
“I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as country manager, India at Hiili,” Hemady said in a LinkedIn post, adding that the company aims to move beyond broad sustainability promises towards precise, science-based decarbonisation.
Hemady brings more than three decades of experience spanning print, television, radio and digital media. He has previously served as chief executive officer at HIT 95 FM, assistant general manager at CNBC TV18, and held leadership roles at MTV India and The Indian Express, among others. Most recently, he worked as an independent business consultant advising firms across media and technology.
With India’s digital economy expanding at pace, the environmental cost of data, streaming and online services is climbing quietly in the background. Hiili’s bet is that carbon efficiency will soon sit alongside cost efficiency in boardroom conversations.
For Hemady, the move marks a shift from selling airtime and ad inventory to championing climate accountability. If successful, Hiili’s India play could make digital growth not just faster, but cleaner too.
