News Broadcasting
News18.com’s reel movie awards to celebrate new age cinema like never before
MUMBAI: News18.com, one of India’s top breaking news websites, recently announced its marquee property – the Reel Movie Awards, India’s first and only movie awards to recognise and reward the New Age Cinema and its artists. With Reliance Digital as the presenting sponsor, the distinctive awards show will take place on 20th March in Mumbai. Reputed personalities from Bollywood such as Farah Khan, Sujoy Ghosh, Sudhir Mishra and Nikhil Advani comprise a 4-member jury for the unique awards. The awards property is looking at going beyond acknowledging big-budget blockbuster movies, to celebrate small-budget films with quality content, made under Rs 20 crore, that has been appreciated by critics and masses alike.
The nominations for the awards began with the announcement of the property, a month ago. Being categorized into ‘On Screen’ and ‘Behind The Scenes,’ the nominations aim to include the complete gamut of offerings in the arena. Movies such as Newton, Mukti Bhavan amongst others along with web-series such as Pushpavali, Bose – Dead or Alive, Lakhon Main Ekk and more have been nominated under different categories. The jury as well as the audiences will choose and vote for their favourites to win at News18.com’s Reel Movie Awards.
Commenting on being a part of the jury, Director/Producer, Farah Khan said, “I think the most interesting and important aspect about new age cinema is not just the new story but the way they have put it across to the audience. Most of these movies are really interesting stories and also the fact that they have been made in such little money with really high quality sound and editing, it is in-line with international standards. At the same time, the digital content is also equally outstanding, with stories that I have never heard before. Given the quality of content online, the cost of production is simply surprising. I believe that web content will be the king in the coming years.”
Director and jury member Nikhil Advani said, “I feel taking a creative risk in an atmosphere where the only thing that matters is the Friday – the first-day first show and the box office, should definitely be rewarded. More and more audiences are turning towards quality content today, teaching the filmmakers that pure content will be appreciated. We are all here to support independent cinema and good content; all the talents nominated here are exceptional. There have been some very clear standout performances, and outstanding in terms of what they have done, be it acting, directing, writing or filmmaking. If you have good content on your side then you don’t have to rely on the stars as a vehicle to take your film forward.”
Expressing his views on the nominations, Director, Sujoy Ghosh said, “I feel it is a very honorable and a good move to focus on independent and new age cinema. The independent cinema is highly content driven and most of them have very fantastic content. Today cinema is heading in a direction where either it has to be a big entertainment or very clever entertainment. In the film business an award helps quantify, awards are important and necessary, some may not feel the same though. The News18.com’s Reel Movie Awards is a great platform and it will surely encourage a lot of film makers.”
News18.com and CricketNext, Business Head, Rajiv Singh said, “Our aim is to keep pushing boundaries with one-of-a-kind IPs that highlight News18.com’s innovative digital edge. Building on this vision, REEL Movie Awards 2018 is a step in the right direction for us because it’s the only awards property that recognizes creative excellence, both on celluloid and on the digital platform. By celebrating new age cinema and artists, the property aims to highlight the power of content in a budget-driven world. Moreover, it reinforces the fact that good quality content resonating with audiences and critics alike emerges victorious, over and above anything else. So far in under 4 weeks we have crossed over 2lacs online votes from people supporting their favorite star and movies.”
News Broadcasting
GenNext takes charge as Network18 reshuffles leadership
With Avinash Kaul bowing out, Network18 hands reins to younger leaders, streamlines operations, and pushes data-driven growth across TV, digital and regional markets
MUMBAI: Network18 is redrawing its leadership map just as a long-time lieutenant bows out. Avinash Kaul, a central figure in the broadcaster’s rise since 2014, is leaving after 12 years to pursue “professional and personal goals”, triggering a broad-based reshuffle that puts a younger cohort directly under the top brass.
Kaul joined at a pivotal moment during the company’s transition and went on to scale the television business, combining strategic nous with data-led decision-making and a sharp read of the news landscape. “Avinash has been an integral part of the Network18 story,” the company said, thanking him for his leadership of the broadcast business and wishing him the best for the future.
In his wake, Network18 is betting on what it calls a “young and restless” leadership bench. “The team has taken charge and proved its mettle in quite adverse circumstances,” the note said, adding that “GenNext has seamlessly stepped in as we continue to outperform our peers.”
Operationally, the structure is being flattened. Smriti Mehra, S Shivakumar and Mitul Sangani will work directly with the top leadership, as they did in the fourth quarter. Ganesh Iyer and Abhinay Chauhan continue in their existing roles, while younger executives are being handed wider mandates across social, digital, connected TV and linear.
The reporting lines are being tightened to drive revenue and product momentum. Prabhat Chatterjee, business head–Forbes, and Arun Thapar, president–content and communication for AETN-18, will report to Smriti Mehra, alongside Mallika Nath Handa, who will lead special projects spanning new shows and non-linear properties. Jayesh Gokalgandhi, CFO for AETN-18, will report to Ramesh Damani.
Mitul Sangani will oversee expansion in Hindi and regional markets, with Sidharth Newatia, CRO–ILC, focusing on reach and revenue growth, particularly in tier-II and III markets. Pankaj Soni, head of marketing–ILC, will also report to Sangani while working functionally with Ganesh Iyer.
The group is also consolidating its branded content play. Moneycontrol’s branded content business will be folded into News18 Studio, with Don Zarrar moving to work with Shivakumar while continuing to lead existing studio and Focus teams.
International and platform growth are being bundled together. Pranav Bakshi takes on additional charge of the international business alongside connected TV and social platforms, with Naveen Mathur, who leads revenue management for the international unit, reporting to him. Bakshi continues to report to Puneet Singhvi.
On the technology and operations side, Rajesh Sharma, head of broadcast technology and IT; Rahul Singh, head of events and technical operations; and Bhupender Bhardwaj, head of IT security, will now report to Singhvi. Darshil Parekh, head of sales strategy, planning and operations, will work directly with Ramesh Damani and the top leadership, with Stanley Cyril, who manages digital sales operations, reporting to him.
Data is being pushed to the centre of decision-making. Jitamitra Mohanty, who leads research and analytics, will now work with Santosh Menon to turn audience data into “actionable insights that drive content strategy, product innovation and sustainable viewership growth”.
The message is clear: fewer layers, faster calls, sharper bets. With Kaul’s exit closing one chapter, Network18 is handing the wheel to a younger crew and doubling down on scale across screens. The race, it signals, will be run at full tilt.
