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ESPN expands John Skipper’s portfolio
MUMBAI: ESPN’s executive vice-president for advertising sales, new media and consumer products John Skipper has now been given added responsibilities for ESPN/ABC Sports customer marketing and sales.
ESPN and ABC Sports president George Bodenheimer and ABC Network Operations and Administration president Alex Wallau have announced this decision.
In his new role, Skipper will be handling ESPN ABC Sports customer marketing and sales apart from his current responsibilities wherein he oversees ESPN.com, ESPN The Magazine and the company’s ventures in emerging media, including ESPN Broadband, ESPN Enterprises, SportsTicker and ESPN Mobile. Skipper will continue to report to Bodenheimer with respect to his prior responsibilities, and to Bodenheimer and Wallau with respect to ESPN ABC Sports customer marketing and sales.
The move unites Skipper and ESPN ABC Sports Customer Marketing and Sales president Ed Erhardt to manage all sales activity across the spectrum of ESPN and ABC Sports media assets, including television, the Internet, radio, print, wireless, broadband, video games and other businesses. Erhardt will report to Skipper.
It also streamlines the company’s operations under Bodenheimer, who recently assumed added responsibility as co-chair of the Disney Media Networks group.
“Two of the most dynamic sales executives in our industry working more closely together will maximise the value our premier collection of assets brings to advertisers. John’s record of success speaks volumes about his abilities, and Ed and his team have written the book on marketing across multiple platforms. They have a combined 50 years of experience in all forms of traditional and emerging media, and their continued leadership will strengthen our company,” Bodenheimer said.
Both Skipper and Erhardt will continue to be based in New York.
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.
