Brands
Who is Akhil Mehra? The new head of commercial at Sony Pictures Networks India
Media veteran with 20 plus years to steer Spni’s future-facing growth
MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India has appointed Akhil Mehra as its new head of commercial, marking a strategic move to strengthen its revenue architecture across platforms and markets.
Based in Mumbai, Mehra will drive commercial initiatives spanning digital, linear television, technology, sports, marketing and content across Hindi and regional portfolios. His mandate is clear: build future-ready commercial models that match the pace of India’s evolving media landscape.
A commercial strategist with over two decades of experience, Mehra has quietly shaped some of the country’s most influential broadcast and streaming businesses. Before joining Sony, he spent nearly 19 years at Star TV Network and its digital arm Disney+ Hotstar, holding a series of senior leadership roles across commercial, procurement and compliance functions.
At Star, he rose through the ranks from senior manager to vice president, eventually serving as director, commercial and procurement at Jiostar India. He led media rights negotiations, content acquisition strategies and complex budgeting frameworks across Hindi and English channel portfolios. From managing Hindi cinema pipelines to pricing analytics and intellectual property strategy, Mehra’s career has been built at the intersection of content and commerce.
His stint as vice president and commercial head at Hotstar was particularly formative. He was instrumental in setting up commercial processes, building teams and negotiating content, technology and marketing contracts at a time when streaming in India was still finding its feet.
In 2025, Mehra briefly stepped into the creative arena as a freelance content creator and producer, collaborating on Hindi cinema and South Indian film projects with a focus on commercially viable storytelling. The move added a storyteller’s lens to his dealmaker’s toolkit.
Earlier in his career, he sharpened his commercial instincts in the insurance sector with roles at Tata AIG General Insurance Company Limited, Cholamandalam MS General Insurance Co. Ltd. and Iffco Tokio General Insurance Co. Ltd., where he worked across underwriting, retail strategy and corporate growth.
At Sony Pictures Networks India, Mehra now steps into a role that demands both numbers and nuance. With broadcast economics under pressure and digital monetisation evolving by the day, the network is betting on a leader who understands that content may be king, but commerce keeps the kingdom running.
For Mehra, it is less a new chapter and more a natural sequel. And this time, he is steering the business from the front row.
Brands
Devyani International names Sandeep Anand, Robinder Singh in key roles
Pizza Hut and Costa Coffee businesses see leadership refresh from April
MUMBAI: Devyani International has strengthened its senior leadership bench with a fresh set of appointments across its key brands, Pizza Hut and Costa Coffee, signalling a sharper focus on growth and brand momentum.
The company has appointed Sandeep Anand as chief marketing officer and business head for Pizza Hut. His appointment, approved by the board via a circular resolution on April 3, follows a recommendation by the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, as reported by CNBC-TV18. Anand will officially step into the role on April 6, 2026.
He takes over from Vijay Gogate, who currently serves as chief executive officer for Pizza Hut within the company’s operations. The move marks a strategic transition as the brand looks to sharpen its marketing and business playbook in a competitive quick service restaurant market.
Anand brings over two decades of experience across the food and FMCG sectors, with a strong track record in brand building and innovation. His career spans roles at major consumer-facing companies including Domino’s, Zydus Wellness, Zomato, GSK Consumer Healthcare, Reckitt and Ranbaxy, giving him a well-rounded perspective on both scale and agility.
Alongside this, Robinder Singh has been appointed business head for Costa Coffee and the company’s airport operations. He too will assume his new role on April 6, bringing more than 18 years of experience in operations, business expansion and customer experience transformation.
The twin appointments come at a time when Devyani International is doubling down on leadership depth to steer its portfolio through evolving consumer preferences and heightened competition. With fresh faces at the helm of two key verticals, the company appears set to brew up its next phase of growth with renewed energy.
