MAM
BBC Advertising appoints Vishal Bhatnagar as S. Asia sales director
MUMBAI: BBC Advertising, part of BBC Worldwide – the commercial arm of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), has appointed Vishal Bhatnagar as sales director for South Asia.
Bhatnagar will lead the advertising sales teams across BBC Worldwide’s three South Asia sales offices in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore, with immediate effect. He will be based in Delhi and will report to BBC Advertising ASEAN & India vice president advertising sales John Williams.
Bhatnagar will be responsible for domestic and international advertising sales for BBC Advertising’s digital and broadcasts assets in South Asia, including the multi-screen product offer around the world-renowned website BBC.com and the global TV channel BBC World News.
Williams said, “Vishal brings with him a proven track record in business development across traditional and new media in the highly dynamic and fast moving Indian national market, and we are delighted to welcome him to BBC Advertising. As we look to drive future growth across South Asia, Vishal’s experience in leading teams, coupled with the premium content opportunities offered by the BBC, will be invaluable.”
Bhatnagar added, “I am thrilled to be joining BBC Advertising and have the chance to offer partners in South Asia opportunities to be associated with world-class, trusted content from the BBC on TV and online. I’m looking forward to working with the teams in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore and building new business relationships across the region.”
He joins BBC Advertising from Network18 News Media, where he worked since 2004, most recently as national revenue head for CNN-IBN and head of Focus-IBN 18 News Network. In that role, Bhatnagar led a cross-functional team spanning sales, marketing, content and digital to create, execute and monetise initiatives like IBN18-Microsoft Election Analytics Centre and Network 18-Tata Tea “Power of 49” among others.
Prior to that, he was CNBC TV18 and CNBC Awaaz senior vice president, where he launched CNBC Universe as a sales platform. Before working for Network18 News Media, he held roles at Times Television and Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd.
Brands
Malaika Arora launches Maejoy accessories brand with Myntra partnership
New label debuts with 250 plus handbags and lab grown diamond jewellery.
MUMBAI: When style meets sparkle, a new brand is ready to take centre stage. Actor and entrepreneur Malaika Arora has launched a lifestyle accessories label called Maejoy, developed in collaboration with Exceed Entertainment and Myntra Jabong India Private Limited (MJIPL), the B2B wholesale arm of Myntra. The brand enters the market with a debut collection of more than 250 styles spanning handbags and lab grown diamond jewellery, two categories that continue to define everyday personal style for modern consumers.
The handbag lineup includes crossbody bags, structured shoulder bags, bucket bags, totes, backpacks, clutches and workwear inspired designs. The pieces are crafted using materials such as synthetic leather, raffia, braids, satin, rhinestones and metallic finishes.
Alongside the bags, Maejoy has introduced a jewellery range featuring lab grown diamond rings, earrings, pendants, bracelets and tennis bracelets. The pieces are set in 925 sterling silver bases with gold, silver and rose gold tones, and include diamonds certified by IGI and GCI.
Positioned as a premium yet accessible accessories label, Maejoy is built around the philosophy “The Joy of Being Me”, aiming to blend aspirational fashion with everyday usability. The brand’s positioning centres on three pillars: authenticity, empowerment and accessibility.
Arora described the venture as a natural extension of her long association with fashion and personal style.
“Maejoy is a labour of love. Throughout my career, whether on screen, in business or through personal style, I have always believed fashion should feel empowering yet effortless. The Joy of Being Me celebrates individuality while making global fashion trends more accessible,” she said.
MJIPL, CXO and head of house of brands Suman Saha said the brand brings together Arora’s style perspective with a strong opportunity in the accessible premium accessories segment.
“Maejoy combines Malaika Arora’s distinctive style sensibility with fashion forward designs that we believe will resonate strongly with consumers looking for elevated yet wearable accessories,” he said.
Exceed Entertainment CEO Afsar Zaidi added that building celebrity led brands requires balancing authenticity with market viability.
“Malaika commands respect both as a fashion icon and a businesswoman. Bringing her creative vision together with Myntra’s brand building expertise creates a strong foundation for Maejoy,” he said.
The collection is available exclusively on Myntra through its website and mobile app, making the brand accessible to millions of shoppers across India as it steps into the competitive lifestyle accessories space.
