MAM
DDB Mudra onboards Priya Shivakumar as creative head
Mumbai: DDB Mudra has appointed Priya Shivakumar as its new creative head for the South region. She will collaborate closely with DDB Mudra Group CCO Rahul Mathew and share leadership with DDB Mudra president – Growth and Strategy, Menaka Menon.
Joining DDB Mudra from Wunderman Thompson (JWT), where she rose quickly up the ranks from ECD of Chennai to chief creative officer (South), Priya brings a wealth of experience to her new role. Through her career of over two decades, Priya’s work and creative leadership have won numerous Cannes Lions, D&AD Pencils, One Show Pencils and Spikes Asia, one of the more recent wins being for the “Hidden Truth” , a powerful piece on Domestic Violence.
Speaking on her new role, “I’m thrilled to join DDB Mudra and contribute to the legacy of creating culturally resonant brands,” Priya said. “These are exciting times where you can take storytelling to new and unexpected places…through technology, craft or experience…”, She added: “I’m looking forward to leveraging the power of emotions in my work, driving choices, creating conversations, shaping markets, and rewriting brand stories.”
Meanwhile, Rahul Mathew commented, “We have been evolving our offering in the South to go beyond national campaigns and offer specialised expertise for the five south markets. And we believe what will make our solutions even more effective is our creativity. Priya will play a critical role in us achieving this vision for the South office. She has the unique ability to capture local and cultural nuances and execute them to international standards. I’m excited to have her partner with us on our journey.”
MAM
Sameer Nair steps down as CEO of Applause Entertainment
Veteran media executive exits after a decade at the Aditya Birla Group-backed studio.
MUMBAI: After a decade of calling the shots, Sameer Nair is taking a bow from Applause Entertainment. The veteran industry leader and CEO of the prominent content studio is stepping down from his role, according to sources familiar with the development. This marks a significant leadership transition at one of India’s key players in the television and digital content space.
Applause Entertainment, part of the Aditya Birla Group, has built a strong reputation under Nair’s leadership for its high-quality adaptations of international formats and a slate of original series across OTT platforms. Nair, who joined the company a decade ago, was instrumental in shaping its growth and positioning it as a notable force in India’s evolving streaming landscape.
Prior to Applause, he held senior roles at major media organisations, including Star India, where he played a pivotal part in the launch of the iconic show Kaun Banega Crorepati in 2000. He also worked with Balaji Telefilms and NDTV Imagine.
It remains unclear who will succeed Nair or what his next professional move will be. Queries sent to Nair did not receive a response, and Applause Entertainment declined to comment on the matter.
His exit comes at a time when the Indian content ecosystem is undergoing rapid changes, with streaming platforms recalibrating investments, focusing on profitability, and adjusting content strategies amid shifting viewer preferences and increasing competition.
Industry insiders suggest the transition could signal a strategic reset for Applause as it navigates the next phase of growth.
In the fast-paced world of Indian entertainment, where hits can fade as quickly as they rise, Sameer Nair has enjoyed a remarkably steady and influential run. As he steps off the stage at Applause, the spotlight now turns to what comes next for both the executive and the studio he helped build.
