News Broadcasting
FremantleMedia appoints Andrew Piller as intl brand manager for ‘Planet Cook’
MUMBAI: FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide (FLW), the licensing division of FremantleMedia has announced the appointment of Andrew Piller as International Brand Manager for the culinary adventure format, Planet Cook.
FremantleMedia is one of the largest international creators and producers of programme brands in the world including American Idol.
Piller will be responsible for managing and driving the Planet Cook brand around the world, both on and off screen, working in partnership with FremantleMedias production and licensing teams. Alice Whiteley.
FLW director acquisitions and development Alice Whiteley said, Planet Cook is a key brand for FremantleMedia, both in terms of production and
licensing. Andrews appointment is a further sign of our commitment to the development of the brand worldwide. We are really excited to have Andrew on board and we are confident that, with his talent and wealth of experience managing kids entertainment brands, he will be a fantastic asset to the company.
Planet Cook is a cookery adventure show for children where mealtime disappointments are a thing of the past. Set on a tropical island, each episode sees Captain Cook guide three young Cook Cadets as they create a meal against the clock. Eache is i recipnspired by the natural world from leaf-eating dinosaurs to volcanoes which gives Captain Cook the inspiration to create delicious dishes like Erupting Volcano Surprise.
All recipes have been analysed by independent, qualified nutritionists to fit within the context of a balanced, healthy diet. Planet Cook already claims to have a first class international broadcast platform in place. The BBC has commissioned 104 episodes of the show. This is the largest commission ever for the corporation outside of pre-school. Platinum Films and M4E have secured a format deal with German public broadcaster, ZDF. In addition, a tape deal has been struck with ABC in Australia for 52 episodes of the UK show.
The first series of Planet Cook recently finished on BBC1 where it regularly ranked as the top-rating childrens show in its timeslot. The show currently airs on CBBC at 12pm on Saturdays and Sundays and on ZDF at 11.45am on Saturdays.
Piller was previously Childrens Global Brand Manager at Chorion. He was responsible for the global strategic management of Enid Blytons portfolio including the Noddy TV brand.
Prior to this, he was Global Brand Manager at Hasbro, where he managed the development of the Action Man and Micro Machines brands worldwide and European Brand Manager, where he managed the direction of the Disney toy properties across Europe.
News Broadcasting
Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
