MAM
MTV’s corp comm. head Kenkre moving to Singapore as senior director
MUMBAI: MTV Networks India director communications Hemant Kenkre has been promoted as senior director communications for MTV Networks, Asia and would now be based in Singapore. He will be reporting to MTV Networks Asia Pacific president Frank Brown.
When contacted by Indiantelevision.com, Kenkre confirmed the
development, but declined to provide additional details about his new job responsibilities.
However, company sources indicated that Kenkre, who would be moving to Singapore by the end of February, might look after the south-east and north-east Asia markets in his new role.
Says MTV India MD Alex Kuruvilla, “The move is self-explanatory. He brings to his new position years of rich experience in communications. He is widely respected and loved by the professionals of the industry and I am pleased that he will be part of MTV Networks’ communications efforts.”
Kuruvilla added: “We take great pride in the fact that some of the top broadcast professionals in MTV’s Asian operations are from India. For example, senior vice-president programming and TRA Asia Mishal Verma and Natasha Malhotra.”
According to Kuruvilla, Kenkre formed a key part of the MTV and Nick success stories.
Kenkre has been director of communications for public affairs since 1999 in MTV India. Kenkre left MTV for a brief period in between to pursue his cricketing passion and had joined cricket portal www.cricketnext.com as CEO. He returned to MTV after eight months.
Brands
HP launches Smart Champs learning game show with JioStar for students
Sanya Malhotra hosts quiz series blending fun, learning and prizes
NEW DELHI: HP India has teamed up with JioStar to launch HP Smart Champs, a new learning-based game show designed to make education engaging for school students across the country.
Hosted by Sanya Malhotra, the 10-episode series brings together students from Grades 5 to 9, who compete in teams through quiz and puzzle-based challenges that test knowledge, logic and teamwork. The show will begin streaming on JioHotstar from April 11 and will premiere on Nick on April 18, with weekend episodes airing at 7 PM.
Powered by HP Smart Tank printers, the format integrates print-based learning into the gameplay, using worksheets, clues and visual problem-solving tools to encourage hands-on participation. The idea is to move students beyond rote memorisation and towards more applied, curiosity-led learning.
The competition promises high stakes, with winners set to receive a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh, while runners-up will take home Rs 5 lakh. Additional rewards include HP AI laptops, Smart Tank printers and accessories, while the winning school will be awarded an HP Smart Tech Lab.
Speaking about the initiative, HP India managing director Ipsita Dasgupta said, “At HP, we believe nurturing India’s youth is key to the country’s progress, and technology plays a foundational role in enabling this. With HP Smart Champs, we wanted to create something beyond traditional learning, a fun-filled platform where curiosity, creativity and critical thinking take centre stage.”
On the show’s reach, JioStar head entertainment sales Mahesh Shetty said, “HP Smart Champs reflects how children today learn through exploration and experience. With Nick and JioHotstar, we are creating a multi-screen approach that is both engaging and meaningful.”
Highlighting the role of print, HP India senior director print Satish Kumar said, “The show brings print-based learning to life in an engaging format, helping students develop deeper understanding through hands-on experiences.”
The journey to the finale began with participation from over 1,000 schools across 26 cities, narrowing down to 34 finalists who will compete in a studio showdown in Mumbai.
With its blend of entertainment, education and technology, HP Smart Champs is positioning itself as more than just a quiz show. It is a nationwide push to make learning interactive, accessible and, above all, a lot more fun.
