News Broadcasting
9X Media restructures key positions in ad sales team
Mumbai: 9X Media has restructured its ad sales team to optimise the sales resources and implement effective sales processes in every targeted customer segment. As a part of this development, Ajay Bedi, Darpan Kindalkar and Anusri Unnikrishnan have been elevated to National Sales Head of 9X Jalwa, 9X Tashan and 9X Jhakaas, respectively.
While Ajay will report to Nihal Ghosh, Darpan & Anusri would report to Deepali Oroskar. The flagship Channel 9XM will be managed directly by Nihal.
Commenting on the development, 9X Media chief business officer Punit Pandey said. “The entertainment industry, especially the music industry in India, is going through an exciting transition. The past two years have been difficult for a majority of people. In these difficult times, the music stood out as a companion. Music helped people to de-stress. Hence the consumption of music has increased. Being India’s largest music television broadcaster, we want to leverage this momentum. The restructuring of the ad sales team will take the network towards the next phase of success and achievements.”
Commenting on the elevation, 9X Jalwa national sales head Ajay Bedi said, “I feel humbled by the faith put in me to lead the All India Sales for 9X Jalwa. The markets are opening up post-Covid and so is Jalwa evolving into a force to reckon with in the Hindi music genre. My priority would be to make brands across India aware of the scope, content creation and integration opportunities which 9X Jalwa presents and the programming initiatives which are being undertaken to be at par with the top channels in the music genre.”
9X Jhakaas national sales head Anusri Unnikrishnan said, “I’m really excited to head ad sales nationally for 9X Jhakaas – India’s first Marathi music channel. Planning a post covid roadmap for 9X Jhakaas’ accelerated growth will be critical. FICCI KPMG says regional languages will make up 60 per cent of television consumption in 2025 from around 55 per cent in 2020. Regional Brands in India are driving the Bharat (Non-Metro) Consumption with a strong market share in tier two and tier three cities. 9X Jhakaas has a strong following with a young, affluent rural population along with urban audiences ensuring it will play a key role for advertisers who want to target Maharashtra which has India’s highest GDP by state and also the most urbanized.”
9X Tashan national sales head Darpan Kindalkar commented, “Regional markets about TV advertising have gone through a dynamic change over the last few years. Punjabi Music consumption is more devoted as compared to how music is consumed in other parts of our country. Since its inception, 9X Tashan continues to command that number one position in consumers’ hearts and grow that faithful tribe week on week. It has also opened up new advertising avenues for the brands over the years. I’m glad to be part of such a great heritage. Priority is to first take the revenues to pre-pandemic levels, along with opening other avenues for the brands through content creation, on-ground events, integrations, etc.”
News Broadcasting
Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
