News Broadcasting
CNN Digital Asia appoints Marc Lourdes as new director
MUMBAI: CNN Digital has appointed Marc Lourdes as the new director of CNN Digital Asia. Lourdes will be based in Hong Kong and will lead the channel’s digital Asia team across editorial content and multi-platform programming for CNN’s global audience during that time-zone. He will begin with this new role immediately.
He will work closely with CNN’s digital teams in London, Abu Dhabi, New York and Atlanta and as the digital leader in Asia-Pacific, will be responsible for devising and implementing strategies to grow key audiences in the region.
CNN Digital vice-president and managing editor Andrew Demaria said, “With his combination of editorial excellence, regional experience and industry acumen, Marc is a perfect fit for CNN. His experience in co-developing news apps, growing social media traffic, and working with teams to drive new opportunities will help us realize our vision for the Asia-Pacific region.”
The channel is significantly increasing its global footprint by creating an additional 200 jobs plus enhancing its products and technologies with a specific focus on mobile and video. This unprecedented growth follows other recent digital investments including the global expansion of CNNMoney, the amplification of CNN Politics, the launch of CNN Style, and the creation of the socially distributed video network Great Big Story.
Before joining CNN, Lourdes worked at Yahoo for five years as the editor in chief based in Singapore.
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.
