MAM
NDTV appoints Hersh Bhandari as Brand Advisor and Head of NDTV CoLab
Bhandari returns to NDTV to lead brand strategy and its customised solutions and content vertical
MUMBAI: For Hersh Bhandari, this career move comes with a familiar byline. The media veteran has returned to NDTV as Brand Advisor and Head of NDTV CoLab, marking his second stint with the news network.
In his new role, Bhandari will advise the group on brand strategy while leading NDTV CoLab, the network’s customised brand solutions and branded content vertical.
Bhandari described the appointment as a career homecoming in a LinkedIn post, reflecting on returning to the corridors where he took his early professional steps and now coming back with experience across revenue, brand strategy and media operations.
Rahul Kanwal, CEO & Editor-in-Chief, NDTV, said: “As brands look for deeper and more meaningful audience engagement, NDTV CoLab will bring together the credibility of NDTV’s flagship news brands with innovative, content-led partnerships. Hersh combines deep commercial expertise with a proven ability to build businesses and create value for brands. He will drive the next phase of growth in NDTV CoLab opportunities.”
The move brings Bhandari back to NDTV after a career spanning more than three decades, according to the experience listed on his LinkedIn profile.
Most recently, he has been serving as Chief Executive Officer of Bluerock India, a position he took up in December 2025. Before that, he spent seven years and one month as CEO of Republic World, from December 2018 to December 2025.
Rahul Shaw, Chief Business Officer, NDTV, said: “Having worked closely with Hersh in the past, I have seen his ability to build strong partnerships and create effective solutions for brands. He brings deep industry relationships, strategic thinking and an entrepreneurial mindset. I am delighted to welcome him to the team and look forward to working with him as we grow NDTV CoLab.”
His Republic stint followed a one-year-and-nine-month tenure at TV Today, where he served as National Revenue Head from April 2017 to December 2018.
Bhandari also spent around six years at Times Network, holding senior commercial roles including National Head Revenue at Times Now from 2015 to March 2017 and VP and National Head of Zoom from April 2011 to March 2015.
Earlier in his career, he worked with Star TV Network as Marketing Manager between 1998 and 2000 and spent seven years and nine months at Pepe Jeans London, where he was Sales Marketing Manager from April 1991 to December 1998.
His return to NDTV comes with a mandate that sits at the intersection of media, brands and revenue with CoLab focused on creating customised brand solutions and branded content while Bhandari takes on a broader advisory role around the group’s brand strategy.
