MAM
Lever, Star strike deal; HLL ads to be back on air soon
MUMBAI: The country’s largest advertiser Hindustan Lever Ltd (HLL) and lead broadcaster Star India have resolved their differences over ad rates. Though the deal is still to be inked, the two have reached in-principle agreement, Star confirmed to indiantelevision.com.
Attempts to contact Mindshare Fulcrum (which manages the HLL account) head Vikram Sakhuja for his comment on the development were to no avail.
In the end, it looks as if the double burden of not having a presence on the most powerful cable and satellite network, Star as well as on the terrestrial network Doordarshan, proved too much for HLL.
The sticking point till now on the issue of the eight per cent service tax has also been resolved in Star’s favour, it is learnt. Star officials have not commented on this aspect however, except to say that the negotiations that had been going on since 1 August have finally reached a satisfactory conclusion.
As reported in the Economic Times, it was over the service tax issue that HLL lost the sponsorship rights to the India-New Zealand-Australia cricket series starting 8 October. When DD first signed the deal with the sponsors, unlike other private channels, it was exempt from service tax. But in late July, the government issued a circular that henceforth Prasar Bharti will also be subjected to the tax with retrospective effect from 1 April.
DD, which has exclusive telecast rights of the series for India, immediately directed its three main sponsors — Pepsi, Hero Honda and Lever — and five associate sponsors — Perfetti, Castrol, Maruti, Pidilite and LG — to cough up the eight per cent service tax over and above the Rs 42.5 million and Rs 32 million that the main sponsors and the primary sponsors, respectively, had individually paid.
While others paid up, HLL refused to play ball. It was after this that DD cancelled HLL’s sponsorship rights.
Brands
Info Edge reshuffles senior roles, Ambrish Singh to 99acres, Bhisham Dhingra to lead Shiksha strategy
Leadership changes at Shiksha and 99acres aim to drive sharper growth focus
MUMBAI: Info Edge (India) Limited has approved an internal reorganisation of its education and real estate verticals, setting the stage for leadership changes aimed at sharpening execution and accelerating growth. The move, cleared by the board on April 14 through a circular resolution, will come into effect from May 1, 2026.
The restructuring impacts the company’s Shiksha and 99acres businesses, two key pillars in its portfolio, and involves role changes for senior management personnel. As part of the reshuffle, Ambrish Kumar Singh, previously executive vice president and head of sales and customer delivery for Shiksha, has been redesignated as executive vice president and head of sales and sales enablement at 99acres. A long-time company leader since 2003, Singh is expected to focus on boosting business performance, strengthening client relationships and building high-performing teams in his new role.
Meanwhile, Bhisham Dhingra, who led sales and customer delivery at 99acres, will now take on an expanded mandate as head of sales, strategy and client delivery for Shiksha. With over two decades of experience across global and Indian organisations, Dhingra will spearhead growth strategy, corporate sales and client engagement for the domestic education vertical.
Both executives will continue as senior management personnel, albeit with revised responsibilities aligned to the company’s broader restructuring goals.
Info Edge said the changes are part of ongoing efforts to leverage leadership expertise across business lines and improve operational effectiveness. The company added that the reshuffle is designed to drive stronger outcomes by aligning talent with evolving business priorities.
As Info Edge continues to fine-tune its structure, the latest leadership moves suggest a clear intent to keep its core platforms nimble, competitive and ready for the next phase of growth.
