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Warner Bros. Discovery names Shazia Fazal head affiliate sales, South Asia.
Nine-year journey comes full circle as she takes top distribution role
MUMBAI: Warner Bros. Discovery has elevated Shazia Fazal to head of affiliate sales, south asia, marking a full circle moment in a career that began with her watching the company’s content as a young girl.
Fazal, who completes nine years with the media major this month, moves up from her role as senior director, DTH, telecom and digital alliances. In her new position as head of affiliate sales, south asia, she will lead affiliate distribution across one of the company’s most dynamic and competitive regions.
Reflecting on the promotion, Fazal described the milestone as something even a scriptwriter might struggle to improve upon. Raised by what she calls a “fiercely feminist” father who encouraged her to “be yourself ferociously”, she has risen to head distribution in a field long dominated by men.
The appointment also underscores a broader cultural shift within the organisation. Fazal noted that 80 per cent of the leadership team she works with are women, a statistic that stands out in an industry where representation figures often tell a different story. She credited the environment fostered by India leader Arjun Nohwar for enabling merit, ambition and authenticity to thrive, and acknowledged the mentorship of Vijay Rajput in her journey.
Her career path reflects steady momentum. Fazal joined the Discovery business in 2017 as associate director, DTH, later moving through director, DTH and telecom partnerships and senior director roles spanning dth, telecom and digital partnerships. Following the merger that formed Warner Bros. Discovery, she continued to expand her remit across south asia.
Before her tenure at Discovery, she spent over six years at Sony Pictures Networks India, where she held multiple business development roles including deputy associate director, business development and senior manager, business development. Earlier stints at West Coast Group and Marketing Solutions Private Limited laid the groundwork for her expertise in partnerships and client relationships.
Leading affiliate sales in India means navigating a market that is as complex as it is fast moving, with traditional distribution platforms intersecting with telecom operators and digital players. For Fazal, however, the challenge appears to be part of the appeal.
Nine years in, she describes the journey in three words: growth, gratitude and grit. If her story reads like a well-crafted screenplay, the latest chapter suggests there are many more scenes yet to unfold.
Brands
Axis Bank named Official Banking Partner of DP World PGTI
Partnership supports all tournaments this season to grow professional golf in India.
MUMBAI: Axis Bank just teed up a hole-in-one partnership because when a bank sponsors golf’s biggest swing in India, even the fairways feel more financially secure. Axis Bank has been appointed Official Banking Partner of the DP World Professional Golf Tour of India (DP World PGTI), strengthening its commitment to sporting excellence and community engagement while backing the growth of professional golf across the country.
Under the partnership, Axis Bank will support all DP World PGTI tournaments this season, contributing to talent development, enhanced tournament experiences and wider fan engagement. The collaboration aligns the bank’s values of precision, discipline and trust with the Tour’s focus on performance and opportunity.
Axis Bank executive director Munish Sharda said, “We are pleased to partner with DP World PGTI as its Official Banking Partner. Golf embodies precision, discipline, and a pursuit of excellence qualities that strongly reflect who we are at Axis Bank. This association also strengthens our engagement with India’s growing premium customer segments, where the sport has a deep and enduring connect.”
Professional Golf Tour of India president Kapil Dev said, “We are extremely pleased to welcome Axis Bank as a Tour Partner of the DP World Professional Golf Tour of India. Partnerships of this stature play a vital role in strengthening the foundation of the Tour, enhancing opportunities for our players, and expanding the sport’s reach across the country.”
Professional Golf Tour of India CEO Amandeep Johl added, “Axis Bank’s strong legacy of excellence, innovation, and nationwide reach aligns perfectly with DP World PGTI’s goal to elevate professional golf in India and provide greater opportunities for our players.”
In a sport where every stroke counts and every partnership drives distance, Axis Bank isn’t just backing golfers, it’s investing in the fairway to future, turning India’s greens into a stage where precision meets passion and every drive has the power to inspire.
