MAM
A powerhouse move: Deepali Handa joins Endemol Shine India
MUMBAI: What does it take to lead commercials and production at one of India’s most prominent content powerhouses?
Endemol Shine India, part of Banijay Entertainment’s global empire, seems to have found the answer in Deepali Handa.
After an illustrious 15-year journey at BBC Studios as its commercial head, Handa steps into her new role as executive vice president with unmatched expertise in both scripted and unscripted genres.
This move not only signals a new era for Endemol Shine India but also cements Deepak Dhar’s leadership vision of bringing in seasoned industry stalwarts to drive innovative storytelling and production excellence. With over two decades of experience in shaping content strategies, Handa’s appointment promises to redefine the creative and commercial blueprint for the company.
Who better to steer the helm at one of the industry’s most dynamic production houses than someone who’s been a cornerstone in scripted and unscripted success stories?
Handa’s journey and her next chapter at Endemol Shine India are stories waiting to unfold.
Before joining Endemol Shine India, Handa played pivotal roles at BBC Studios India, where she served as head of commercials, production, and executive producer. Her extensive portfolio includes leading large-scale production operations, enhancing operational efficiency, and driving profitability through innovative strategies.
Banijay Asia & Endemol Shine India group COO, Rishi Negi expressed confidence in Deepali’s capabilities, “Deepali’s expertise and insights in both production and commercials make her a valuable addition to our leadership team. We look forward to her playing a pivotal role in ensuring we stay at the forefront of delivering quality and cutting-edge content to our partners and consumers.”
Handa’s addition reflects Endemol Shine India’s commitment to staying ahead in the dynamic world of television and entertainment. Known for producing iconic formats such as Bigg Boss and MasterChef India, Endemol Shine continues to innovate and adapt to meet evolving audience preferences.
Excited about her new role, Handa commented, “Endemol Shine India has made its mark and held its own, be it in big-scale unscripted format production or scripted content. I’m excited to join the bandwagon and contribute to its legacy of producing world-class content.”
Her career showcases versatility across diverse formats, including television, films, and documentaries, underscoring her deep understanding of storytelling across mediums.
Handa’s strategic leadership is expected to enhance operational efficiency while maintaining the high-quality benchmarks Endemol Shine India is known for. She will oversee both scripted and unscripted projects, ensuring the company continues to set industry standards.
MAM
Bob Iger joins Thrive Capital as adviser after Disney exit
Former Disney CEO returns to VC firm, stays on as Disney adviser till 2026.
MUMBAI: From castles to capital, Bob Iger isn’t done building just changing the blueprint. Bob Iger has taken on an advisory role at Thrive Capital, marking a return to the New York-based venture firm he briefly joined in 2022. Founded in 2009 by Josh Kushner, Thrive Capital has been positioning itself at the intersection of technology and long-term value creation, an area where Iger’s experience in scaling global entertainment businesses is expected to add weight. Kushner, 40, welcomed Iger back, highlighting his ability to blend technology with human-centric storytelling, particularly in an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.
Iger is no stranger to Thrive. He had earlier joined the firm as a venture partner in September 2022, after stepping down as CEO of The Walt Disney Company and concluding his tenure as executive chairman in 2021. That stint, however, was short-lived. In November 2022, Disney’s board brought him back to steady the ship, replacing Bob Chapek following a turbulent period for the company.
Now, with his latest exit from Disney’s top job last month, Iger appears to be revisiting the venture world, this time with a clearer runway. Still, the Disney chapter isn’t entirely closed. Under his agreement with the company, he will remain until the end of 2026 as a senior adviser to new CEO Josh D’Amaro and will continue to serve on the board for his current term.
The move comes as venture firms increasingly seek operators with deep industry experience to navigate what Kushner described as “the most consequential technology shift” of the era, driven by AI. For Iger, whose career has hinged on blending creativity with scale, the transition from Hollywood to high-growth investing seems less like a pivot and more like a plot twist.
