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CA Media elevates Rajesh Kamat to Asia Group COO
MUMBAI: After successfully launching CA Media India, Rajesh Kamat has been elevated to Chief Operating Officer (COO) of CA Media, the Asian investment arm of The Chernin Group, LLC (TCG). In his new role, Kamat will relocate to Singapore and report to CA Media Group’s Hong Kong-based CEO Paul Aiello. Core to his new responsibilities, Kamat will provide strategic guidance to the group’s existing portfolio investments in the region. He will also support Aiello in identifying and managing growth opportunities for CA Media in Asia.
Before joining CA Media in 2011, Kamat had launched Viacom18’s Hindi general entertainment channel Colors and made a spectacular success of it.
Both directly and through CA Media, TCG has made significant investments in the U.S., Europe and Asia. CA Media will continue to focus on supporting the growth of its existing portfolio of investments, while seeking to expand its position in India and other important emerging markets in Asia.
Kamat will continue to oversee CA Media operations in India while the senior management team – Vivek Raicha and Rishi Negi – will continue to lead their respective domains, as Head of India Investments and Head of India Investee Operations.
Over the last three years, CA Media India has built a strong portfolio of growth investments in the Indian media and entertainment space, including television and film production, live music events, youth media, digital content, intellectual property and graphic novels. In each investment, CA Media has worked with strong on-the-ground partners and local management teams.
CA Media India’s current investments include strategic stakes in Endemol India, Only Much Louder (OML), Graphic India, and a wholly owned online influencer network, FLUENCE.
Since CA Media’s investment, Endemol India has transformed itself from being principally a non-scripted television content production company to one that is producing content across multiple screens including TV, films and digital. Today, OML is India’s premier music, live events and youth media company, with music festival brands such as NH7. While Graphic India is establishing its position as one of India’s leading character entertainment companies, FLUENCE has already become India’s leading online influencer network, connecting celebrities, consumers and brands to create exciting media properties that can be monetised across various consumer facing digital platforms.
“Given what Rajesh has accomplished with CA Media in India, I am confident in his abilities to take on this expanded regional role for CA Media throughout Asia, we look forward to the contributions he will make,” said CEO CA Media Paul Aiello.
Chairman of The Chernin Group Peter Chernin noted, “As we move into our next phase of growth, it is critical to have a structure that supports our operations and continued expansion plans in Asia. Rajesh’s new expanded role in the region will help the group achieve this objective.”
“Moving from a country role to a region profile is both exciting as well as challenging given the diversity of the key Asian markets and our unique portfolio of assets. I look forward to the challenge ahead,” Kamat said.
Kamat will assume his new role and responsibilities in Singapore starting April 2014.
CA Media was founded in partnership with Paul Aiello in November 2010 with a mandate to build, manage and operate media, entertainment and technology businesses throughout Asia. CA Media is building a regional footprint primarily focused on the region’s dynamic growth markets including India, Indonesia and China.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
