MAM
Gulf News appoints Raman Kumar Chugh as strategic advisor – India
25 INS agencies onboarded as Gulf News sharpens India strategy
DUBAI: Gulf News has appointed Raman Kumar Chugh as strategic advisor – India, entrusting him with building a nationwide network of INS-accredited advertising agencies to deepen the publication’s presence in the Indian market.
The mandate focuses on creating a structured agency ecosystem spanning metros, tier-2 cities and district markets, aimed at driving business growth through compliant, locally rooted partnerships. The initiative is designed to offer Indian advertisers streamlined access to Gulf News’ platform in the UAE and wider GCC region.
Chugh will lead the appointment and integration of accredited agencies, positioning Gulf News as a launchpad for Indian brands seeking cross-border expansion. The strategy targets both large advertisers and smaller businesses, enabling them to reach international markets through a single, regulated media channel.
As an early milestone, Gulf News has already onboarded 25 INS-accredited agencies across major Indian metros following a joint pitch exercise led by Chugh. The agencies will form the backbone of a new international vertical, offering cross-market campaign execution and access to GCC-focused advertising formats.
The move reflects growing interest among Indian agencies in diversifying revenue streams through international media platforms, as well as Gulf News’ push to strengthen grassroots penetration in one of its fastest-growing source markets.
Commenting on the initiative, Chugh said the goal was to “democratise international market access for Indian businesses”, adding that a distributed agency network would allow brands of all sizes to expand globally in a structured and efficient manner.
Brands
ZEEL transfers syndication business, invests Rs 505 crore in IP push
Restructuring, stake buy and FCCB moves signal sharper content strategy
MUMBAI: In the content economy, owning the story is half the battle monetising it is the real game, and Zee Entertainment Enterprises is doubling down on both. The company has approved the transfer of its syndication and content licensing business to its wholly owned subsidiary ZI-IPR Enterprises, alongside an investment of Rs 505 crore aimed at strengthening its play in content intellectual property (IP) acquisition, management and monetisation. The move, effective April 1, 2026, will see the business transferred on a slump sale basis at book value, including all associated assets, liabilities and commercial rights effectively consolidating IP operations under a more focused structure.
At its core, the restructuring signals a strategic shift. As content consumption increasingly fragments across digital and global platforms, the value of IP lies not just in creation but in how efficiently it can be distributed, repackaged and monetised across markets. By housing its syndication engine within ZI-IPR Enterprises, ZEEL appears to be building a more agile and scalable ecosystem, one that can better extract value from its vast content library while adapting to evolving distribution models.
But the company’s ambitions are not limited to restructuring. ZEEL has also approved an investment of up to Rs 20.09 crore in Culture of Real Experiences (CORE), acquiring a 51 per cent stake in the entity. The move expands its footprint into the broader creative and experiential space, suggesting a push beyond traditional broadcasting into areas where content, culture and immersive experiences intersect.
At the same time, ZEEL has moved to tidy up its financials, approving the redemption of $23.9 million in outstanding foreign currency convertible bonds (FCCBs) and cancelling an unused $215.1 million commitment. The twin steps are expected to ease pressure on its treasury, freeing up capital and improving financial flexibility as the company invests more aggressively in its IP strategy.
Taken together, the decisions reflect a company in recalibration mode streamlining legacy structures, sharpening its focus on content ownership, and exploring new avenues for growth. In a market where the lines between television, streaming and experiential entertainment are increasingly blurred, ZEEL’s latest moves suggest it is not just creating content, but building a system to make that content travel further and pay better.
