MAM
Sundance Channel acquires ‘Monkey Dust’ from FremantleMedia
MUMBAI: Sundance Channel has acquired the popular UK animated series Monkey Dust from Fremantle International Distribution (FID). The 18 part, half hour series is scheduled to premiere on the cable network in March 2006.
Monkey Dust is a cutting-edge animated comedy series that takes place in a nocturnal world where broad portions of British society are unmercifully lampooned. Story lines veer from examining the lives of normal city dwellers to the parody of some of the world’s most famous public figures.
“We’re always on the lookout for exciting new programming that distinguishes itself in the marketplace. Monkey Dust is a truly creative series that fits nicely into Sundance Channel’s eclectic mix of original and acquired series programming. Fremantle is a trailblasing company that has a diverse selection of captivating programming and we’re thrilled to be working with them,” said Sundance Channel executive vice president programming and marketing Laura Michalchyshyn.
“Our capacity to provide networks such as Sundance Channel with a wide range of creative programming truly demonstrates our dedication to giving international markets the best possible content for their individual audiences. We are confident that Sundance Channel’s American viewers will appreciate Monkey Dust’s unique style and humour,” said Fremantle International Distribution managing director David Ellender.
Brands
UltraTech Cement appoints Jayant Dua as managing director
Dua will succeed K. C. Jhanwar after his term ends in December 2026
MUMBAI: UltraTech Cement, the flagship cement arm of the Aditya Birla Group, has elevated Jayant Dua as managing director, effective 1 April, 2026.
The company’s board also approved his appointment as additional director, managing director and key managerial personnel, effective 1 January, 2027, following the completion of the current managing director K C Jhanwar’s term on 31 December, 2026, according to a regulatory filing.
Dua will serve as managing director for a four-year term from 1 January, 2027 to 31 December, 2030.
A veteran executive with more than 37 years of professional experience, Dua joined the Aditya Birla Group’s cement business in 1996 and spent nearly a decade in various functional and leadership roles.
Over the past two decades, he has held several profit-and-loss and chief executive responsibilities across multiple group businesses, including insulators, insurance, Century Cement and the chlor-alkali segment. In 2023, he was elevated to lead the group’s renewables and textiles businesses.
Within the group, Dua has received several internal honours, including the chairman’s individual award for exceptional contribution in 2002, the outstanding leader award in 2009 and the leader of leaders recognition in 2022.
He holds an engineering degree from Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, an MBA from International Management Institute and has completed the advanced management programme at Harvard Business School.
