MAM
Microsoft appoints Aparajita Puri as MD for India & South Asia
New leader to drive strategic pursuits in AI, data and cloud for enterprise clients.
MUMBAI: Microsoft has just brought in some fresh McKinsey firepower because when you’re scaling AI and cloud across India and South Asia, you need someone who knows how to turn big ideas into even bigger transformations. Microsoft has appointed Aparajita Puri as Managing Director for India & South Asia. In her new role, she will lead the strategic pursuits team, partnering with enterprises on large and transformative opportunities across AI, data, and cloud adoption.
Puri joins Microsoft after an 11-year stint at McKinsey & Company, where she most recently served as partner. During her time there, she worked across global markets, advising clients on strategic and business transformation initiatives while progressing through multiple leadership roles.
She began her career with stints at Bain & Company and Deutsche Bank, gaining early experience in consulting and investment banking.
With her deep expertise in strategy and transformation, Aparajita Puri’s appointment signals Microsoft’s continued push to strengthen its enterprise relationships in one of the world’s fastest-growing digital markets. From boardrooms to cloud migrations, she now has the chance to help Indian businesses hit the next level – and in the world of tech, that’s a role that truly clicks.
Brands
ZEEL transfers syndication business, invests Rs 505 crore in IP push
Restructuring, stake buy and FCCB moves signal sharper content strategy
MUMBAI: In the content economy, owning the story is half the battle monetising it is the real game, and Zee Entertainment Enterprises is doubling down on both. The company has approved the transfer of its syndication and content licensing business to its wholly owned subsidiary ZI-IPR Enterprises, alongside an investment of Rs 505 crore aimed at strengthening its play in content intellectual property (IP) acquisition, management and monetisation. The move, effective April 1, 2026, will see the business transferred on a slump sale basis at book value, including all associated assets, liabilities and commercial rights effectively consolidating IP operations under a more focused structure.
At its core, the restructuring signals a strategic shift. As content consumption increasingly fragments across digital and global platforms, the value of IP lies not just in creation but in how efficiently it can be distributed, repackaged and monetised across markets. By housing its syndication engine within ZI-IPR Enterprises, ZEEL appears to be building a more agile and scalable ecosystem, one that can better extract value from its vast content library while adapting to evolving distribution models.
But the company’s ambitions are not limited to restructuring. ZEEL has also approved an investment of up to Rs 20.09 crore in Culture of Real Experiences (CORE), acquiring a 51 per cent stake in the entity. The move expands its footprint into the broader creative and experiential space, suggesting a push beyond traditional broadcasting into areas where content, culture and immersive experiences intersect.
At the same time, ZEEL has moved to tidy up its financials, approving the redemption of $23.9 million in outstanding foreign currency convertible bonds (FCCBs) and cancelling an unused $215.1 million commitment. The twin steps are expected to ease pressure on its treasury, freeing up capital and improving financial flexibility as the company invests more aggressively in its IP strategy.
Taken together, the decisions reflect a company in recalibration mode streamlining legacy structures, sharpening its focus on content ownership, and exploring new avenues for growth. In a market where the lines between television, streaming and experiential entertainment are increasingly blurred, ZEEL’s latest moves suggest it is not just creating content, but building a system to make that content travel further and pay better.
