MAM
Dainik Bhaskar bets on broadcast veteran to crack the south
NEW DELHI: Dainik Bhaskar Group is punching south. The Hindi newspaper giant has hired Durga Chakraborty as corporate sales head for south India, banking on her 20-year track record across broadcast, print and digital to unlock growth in markets where it needs it most.
Chakraborty arrives from Sony Pictures Networks India, where she spent eight years as associate vice president leading sales for SAB TV, the broadcaster’s free-to-air channels, kids’ programming and English entertainment cluster. Those who’ve worked with her say she’s handled heavyweight client mandates and steered regional expansion strategies across platforms.
At Dainik Bhaskar, she’ll report to chief operating officer for corporate sales Mayar Penkar. Her brief: drive corporate sales strategy, design customer-centric offerings and build teams capable of delivering on DB Corp’s advertising and brand solutions ambitions in the region.
The appointment signals intent. Dainik Bhaskar is scaling its southern footprint, and Chakraborty’s hire suggests it’s serious about translating regional presence into advertising revenue. Penkar reckons her industry chops and client focus will help forge stronger market partnerships.
Her career spans stints at Turner Broadcasting, where she grew regional revenues by 40 per cent, and Radio City, along with a detour to Dallas selling digital products for the Dallas Observer. Now she’s back, tasked with making the south pay for India’s biggest Hindi newspaper group.
Whether she can crack a region dominated by vernacular players and entrenched competitors will determine if this bet pays off.
Brands
Reebok partners with Jerai Fitness for gym equipment in India
Long-term deal to manufacture and distribute Reebok-branded fitness products from April 2026.
MUMBAI: Reebok is pumping up its presence in India and this time, it’s bringing serious muscle to the gym floor. Jerai Fitness Limited, an Indian manufacturer with over three decades of experience in fitness equipment, has announced a first-of-its-kind long-term partnership with Reebok. Under the agreement, Jerai Fitness will manufacture and distribute Reebok-branded gym equipment across India and neighbouring countries including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal. The products will be available from 1 April 2026.
The collaboration combines Jerai Fitness’ fully automated, technology-driven manufacturing facility with Reebok’s global brand legacy to redefine the fitness equipment ecosystem in the region.
Jerai Fitness Limited chairman & managing director Rajesh Rai said the partnership leverages advanced manufacturing capabilities to deliver high-quality products tailored to market needs.
Authentic Brands Group EVP of Reebok Steve Robaire noted that India is a dynamic and fast-growing fitness market. “Jerai Fitness brings the manufacturing expertise and local insight needed to deliver high-quality, performance-driven equipment at scale,” he said.
The partnership will introduce a comprehensive commercial range covering cardio, free weights, and high-end home-use equipment under two distinct series. All products adhere to international standards, including ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001:2018, ASTM certifications, and European safety standards EN ISO 20957-1:2013, EN 957-2:2003 and EN 957-4:2006.
Jerai Fitness’ manufacturing facility features fully automated production systems and dedicated storage infrastructure. As of 31 August 2025, it had an installed annual capacity of 21,000 units.
The Reebok-branded equipment will be available pan-India through Jerai Fitness showrooms and official websites jeraihomegym.com and jeraifitness.com.
In a market where fitness goals are rising faster than dumbbells, this partnership gives Reebok the local strength it needs while giving Jerai Fitness a powerful global brand to flex. For Indian fitness enthusiasts and gym owners, the workout just got a stylish upgrade.
