MAM
Deepak Trikha back at DDB MudraMAx as vice president, experiential
MUMBAI: The DDB Mudra Group‘s DDB MudraMax has roped in Deepak Trikha as VP, experiential. He will be based out of Delhi and will report in to DDB MudraMax President Mandeep Malhotra. This is Trikha‘s second stint with the agency.
Trikha comes in from Sistema Shyam Teleservices (MTS), where he was AGM, marketing communication. In his role at MTS, he was responsible for strategy and execution of 360 degree marketing campaigns for MTS‘s telecom products and services. He started his career with Kidstuff, DDB MudraMax‘s promotional and events unit, and then moved to Encompass as AVP where he served a stint of six years. With over a decade of experience in the field of marketing, he has worked with MNCs such as Ford, Britannia, World Space, Toyota, Sony, Hewlett Packard and Nokia.
Malhotra said, “I am really glad to welcome Deepak in my team. He comes with a lot of experience in the business. I strongly feel he will complete the dots for a constellation in our Delhi office of glittering stars. Looking forward to a great innings with DDB MudraMax. My advice to him is stay hungry, as I strongly believe Delhi has a lot to offer.”
Trikha said, “I am very excited to be part of DDB Mudra Group family which is India‘s largest integrated marketing communications entity. Creativity and customer centricity being the driving factor to run its business, DDB Mudra Group is well poised to take up the market leadership position in the field of brand and marketing communications. I am delighted to be a part of this passionate and highly spirited team and looking forward to play a pivotal role in achieving greater milestones in times to come.”
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.
