News Broadcasting
BBC World makes two ‘key’ appointments in Asia
MUMBAI: BBC World has made two key appointments to its Asian advertising sales teams.
BBC World deputy director airtime sales Sunita Rajan was quoted as saying: ‘I am delighted to have two great people join our teams in Asia at a very exciting period of growth for the channel in this key region. Both Sarah, with her considerable experience working for BBC World in London; and Simon with his in-depth knowledge of the market, will be great assets to grow our airtime sales operation here.”
Simon Page has been appointed as the new account director, North Asia based in Hong Kong and Sarah Green has been appointed as account manager, airtime sales based in Singapore.
A press release says that Page will work closely with BBC World deputy director airtime sales Rajan, as part of the pan-Asian sales team. His mandate will be to build on BBC World’s existing client base and attract new advertisers and sponsors to the channel. He will team up with north Asia account manager Pierre Cheung.
Page had earlier worked with the Dow Jones group for a period of seven years. His responsibilities during that particular stint included handling advertising sales for the Far Eastern Economic Review and developing advertising markets such as Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam.
The release adds that Green has been transferred from BBC World’s London headquarters where she had a three-year stint as senior account executive. She will seek to apply the skills and experience gained while working in the London market and on PETV accounts to the Asian and Australasian markets.
Green, an ex-ad agency executive, will assist Rajan in driving the channel’s international business from Australia and New Zealand. She will also work with the media buying agency MCn. Green had earlier worked with Zenith Media in London.
News Broadcasting
News18 hosts Tamil Nadu town hall ahead of 2026 polls
MK Stalin headlines ‘Next Big Leap’ event from 10am on 23 February in Chennai with leaders and icons.
MUMBAI: Tamil Nadu’s political pot is simmering and News18’s town hall is stirring it up just in time for the 2026 assembly elections boilover. Set for 23 February from 10am onwards in Chennai, the News18 Network Town Hall gathers heavyweights under the banner ‘The Next Big Leap for Tamil Nadu’ to dissect the state’s political pulse, economic edge, and cultural clout. With the 234-seat assembly contest looming as a fiercely competitive showdown, the event spotlights how Tamil Nadu’s identity-driven politics and engaged voters continue to ripple across national debates.
Chief minister MK Stalin leads the charge with a keynote on the theme, sketching his government’s blueprint for governance, development, and staying power pre-polls. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin chimes in on ‘Voices, Vision & Way Forward’, unpacking generational shifts and fresh narratives. From the opposition corner, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami tackles ‘Baton Change at the Ballot?’, floating alternatives to the status quo.
Economic vibes get a nudge from industries minister TRB Rajaa on ‘Investment Story Intact?’, probing the state’s draw for big bucks. BJP’s K Annamalai dives into ‘People, Trust & Political Ideology’, positioning his party in the Dravidian-dominated turf. IT Minister Palanivel ThiagaRajan explores ‘Code, Capacity & Citizenship’, on tech’s role in citizen-focused services. TVK’s KG Arunraj questions if ‘Winds of Change are Possible’ in this pattern-prone state.
A panel on innovation features IIT Madras director Prof V Kamakoti, M&M’s Velusamy R, and Electronic Industries Association’s Dr Sasikumar Gendham, musing how AI and knowledge hubs are remaking opportunities. Culture gets its due with composer Anirudh Ravichander on ‘Tamil Music for the World’.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar noted, “The News18 Network Tamil Nadu Town Hall… reflects our core editorial focus, to capture the political mood of the state and spotlight the ideas that will shape the next phase of governance and growth.”
Network18, CEO of English & business news Smriti Mehra added, “As Tamil Nadu moves closer to a defining electoral moment… we see it as our responsibility to drive informed and meaningful conversations.”
Network18 managing editor for South, Vivek Narayan said, “The News18 Network Townhall in Tamil Nadu is designed as a platform where policy, politics and public interest intersect.”
Backed by associate partners Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles and Reliance Industries, the live event streams on CNN-News18, News18 Tamil, CTV, and Youtube from 10am on 23 February perfect for catching the sparks, even if you’re not knee-deep in Dravidian drama.
