MAM
Network18 appoints Raj Jain as Independent Director
Media and retail veteran joins board for five-year term from March 25, 2026.
MUMBAI: Raj Jain just walked into Network18’s boardroom with a CV so well-rounded it could anchor both a news bulletin and a balance sheet because when you’ve run The Times Group, Walmart India and Whirlpool, even corporate governance starts looking like front-page news. Network18 has appointed Raj Jain, former CEO of Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd (The Times Group), as an Independent Director on its board for a five-year term from 25 March 2026 to 24 March 2031.
Jain brings a rare blend of deep media experience and consumer business expertise. He previously served as CEO of Walmart India and Managing Director & CEO of Whirlpool India, giving him a strong understanding of scale, transformation and operational excellence across sectors.
Network18 chairman Adil Zainulbhai said, “We are delighted to welcome Raj Jain to the Board of Network18 as an Independent Director. Raj brings a rare combination of media and consumer leadership, having led Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. (The Times Group) with distinction and built Walmart India’s operations from the ground up. His deep understanding of scale, transformation and corporate governance will add significant value as we continue to strengthen our businesses and drive long-term growth.”
Raj Jain said, “I’m pleased to join the board of Network18 at a time when technology is reshaping how audiences engage with content across platforms. Network18’s strong media-tech capabilities and leadership in building multi-platform brands across TV, digital and the creator ecosystem position it uniquely to drive scale, growth and deeper viewer connections.”
The appointment comes as Network18 sharpens its focus on integrated news and content delivery across television, digital and regional platforms, while expanding into newer formats driven by creators and emerging technologies. The group’s news channels, including CNN-News18, News18 India and several regional channels, continue to lead their respective markets. Its business channels, CNBC-TV18 and CNBC Awaaz, maintain pole position in their genres. On the digital front, both Moneycontrol.com and News18.com remain top players in their segments as per Comscore data.
In a media world where the lines between content, commerce and technology are blurring faster than a breaking-news ticker, Network18 has brought in a leader who has mastered both sides of the balance sheet proving that sometimes the best way to stay ahead of the story is to have someone who’s already written a few bestsellers.
MAM
WPP appoints Kyoko Matsushita as APAC CEO of WPP Creative
Former Japan CEO and Essence Global leader takes regional helm.
MUMBAI: Kyoko Matsushita just went from running Japan to captaining the entire APAC creative fleet because when you’ve already conquered one island nation, the next logical step is to steer a whole continent. WPP has appointed Kyoko Matsushita as APAC CEO of WPP Creative, effective immediately. She succeeds her previous role as CEO of WPP Japan, which she held since April 2022.
Matsushita brings a formidable track record in global media and creative leadership. Before joining WPP Japan, she served as Global CEO of Essence Global, having first joined the agency in 2014 as its inaugural APAC CEO. She was later promoted to global chief client officer, where she oversaw client services, satisfaction, and both organic and new business growth. Her earlier career includes senior roles at Sony, Electronic Arts and Gree UK, as well as a stint at Leo Burnett. She holds a master’s degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Announcing the move on Linkedin, Matsushita described APAC as “a hotbed of creativity and potential” and expressed her excitement about working with teams across the region “to reimagine client growth” and “collaborate, learn, and co-create the future of creativity.”
The appointment strengthens WPP’s creative leadership in one of the world’s fastest-evolving markets, where Matsushita’s blend of regional expertise, global perspective and client-focused innovation is expected to drive the next phase of growth for WPP Creative across APAC.
In an industry where creativity knows no borders, WPP has chosen a leader who has already built bridges from Tokyo to London and back tasked with turning the entire Asia-Pacific region into one seamless canvas of ideas.
