MAM
MEC elevates Rahul Jadhav to national trading head
MUMBAI: MEC has promoted Rahul Jadhav to national trading head.
In his new role, he will be responsible for media investments across platforms and will report to MEC MD T Gangadhar, GroupM pricing & investments head Sidharth Parashar and MEC Asia Pacific trading head Michael Beecroft.
Jadhav said, “I am deeply humbled – I thank MEC for recognising my work and providing me the opportunity to take on new responsibilities. I am very excited about working closely with our clients and making their investments work even harder”.
In his previous role, Jadhav was head of media buying on Colgate Palmolive. He has been with MEC since 2010 and will continue to be based in Mumbai.
Gangadhar said, “Trading is a massive differentiator for us and Rahul has the smarts to lead this critical function. He has an astute understanding of the media landscape and enjoys excellent relationships with our business partners. I wish him the very best in his new role”.
Jadhav is a Bachelor in Engineering and holds an MBA degree from the University of Pune. Prior to joining MEC, he was product manager at Tata Motors. His career also includes a stint at Bajaj Tempo.
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.
