iWorld
Arunava Chakraborty shifts to JioStar Digital as account director
MUMBAI: JioStar Digital has shifted Arunava Chakraborty as account director for large client solutions (LCS), where he will lead the BFSI category in the western region. His role involves managing prominent clients such as HDFC, ICICI Bank, SBI, and Kotak Mahindra, while driving business growth and client success alongside a team of engagement managers.
Chakraborty brings over seven years of experience in media sales, digital advertising, and brand solutions, having previously held senior roles at Viacom18 and Disney Star.
At Viacom18, he served as vertical lead for consumer packaged goods, infrastructure, real estate, and OEM hardware at Jio Cinema, leading growth strategies and cultivating partnerships with major industry players. Earlier, as manager for revenue and sponsorships, he oversaw FMCG clients and strategic business development.
During his tenure at Disney Star, Chakraborty managed key accounts such as Unilever, Godrej Consumer, and Johnson & Johnson, significantly growing revenue for linear television channels. He also played a vital role in designing go-to-market strategies for the and EdTech category.
A graduate of the Heritage Institute of Technology, Kolkata, Chakraborty holds a postgraduate diploma in digital business from Columbia Business School, where he earned distinction as an Emeritus Scholar.
iWorld
Warner Chappell Music launches India ops, Jay Mehta to lead unit
WMG shifts to direct model, unifying publishing and recorded music
MUMBAI: Warner Chappell Music has officially launched direct operations in India, marking a strategic shift by parent Warner Music Group to deepen its presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing music markets.
The move replaces the company’s earlier sub-publishing model with a full-fledged, on-ground operation, aimed at giving Indian songwriters stronger access to global networks, rights management tools, and creative infrastructure.
To lead the push, Jay Mehta has been handed an expanded mandate. Already serving as managing director of Warner Music India, Mehta will now oversee both recorded music and publishing across India and neighbouring South Asian markets, effectively bringing the two sides of the business under one roof.
The unified structure is designed to streamline how artists and songwriters work with the company, offering a more integrated ecosystem that spans compositions, recordings, and global distribution.
Warner Music Group managing director, recorded music and publishing, India and SAARC Jay Mehta said, “India’s songwriters are world-class, constantly redefining genres and pushing creative boundaries. By establishing a direct footprint for Warner Chappell, we’re bridging the gap between local brilliance and global opportunity.”
The timing is no coincidence. According to CISAC, creator collections in India jumped 42 per cent year-on-year to Rs 7 billion in 2024, while IFPI ranks India as the 15th largest recorded music market globally. At the same time, the industry is undergoing a structural shift, with independent and non-film music gaining ground over traditional Bollywood soundtracks.
Warner’s bet is that a direct presence will help it capture this changing dynamic. The company is also offering India-based creators access to its proprietary tools, including AI-powered royalty matching systems and real-time analytics platforms, aimed at improving transparency and earnings visibility.
Warner Chappell Music co-chair and CEO Guy Moot said the move is about shaping a publishing ecosystem that “works for creators and ensures their music is heard, protected, and rewarded everywhere.”
Meanwhile, Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl underlined India’s importance to the company’s global strategy, noting that the new structure creates a “unified powerhouse” for both creators and audiences.
With local studios, global reach, and tighter integration across its business lines, Warner is clearly doubling down on India. And as streaming habits evolve and independent music rises, the company is positioning itself to be not just a participant, but a key architect of the country’s next music chapter.
