iWorld
Gaurav Gandhi leaves Viacom18
MUMBAI: After serving the organisation in various roles for eight years, Gaurav Gandhi, the chief operating officer of Viacom18 Digital Ventures, has decided to move on.
Gandhi joined Viacom18 in 2010. During his tenure, he contributed significantly to Viacom18 in several capacities. Prior to his current role, he did a commendable job in growing the company’s franchise overseas, establishing a strong distribution business at IndiaCast and leading the commercial function during the early days of the organisation.
Commenting on the development, Viacom18 group CEO Sudhanshu Vats said, “Gaurav has contributed significantly to Viacom18’s growth journey. He has led an extremely capable team to make Voot a brand that is loved by its consumers. Gaurav has been a passionate and driven colleague whose counsel I have always valued. On behalf of all of us at Viacom18, I would like to thank Gaurav for his contribution and wish him the very best for his future endeavours.”
In a very short period of time, Gandhi has led Voot to become one of the frontrunners in the Indian online video space. Viacom18 is expected to announce his replacement in due course.
Gandhi couldn’t be reached for a comment.
As the group COO for IndiaCast Media Distribution (a joint venture between TV 18 and Viacom18), Gandhi’s mandate was to monetise all channels and content assets across media, platforms and geographies. His responsibilities included maximising both revenue and reach for content and services across both domestic and overseas markets.
Gandhi joined Viacom18 as the chief commercial officer in March 2010. Within 11 months, he became the head of distribution and international business at the company. After plying his for more than two years, Gandhi was elevated as the COO of Sun18 – North, a company formed by Viacom18 and TV18. In May 2012, he was given the role of group COO at IndiaCast Media Distribution, which is a venture between Viacom18 and TV18.
Before joining Viacom18, Gandhi spent around three years working with NDTV Imagine Ltd as executive VP of business operations and content sales. He also worked with Star India between October 2003 and March 2007 as VP commercial and business planning.
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iWorld
Warner Chappell Music launches India ops, Jay Mehta to lead unit
WMG shifts to direct model, unifying publishing and recorded music
MUMBAI: Warner Chappell Music has officially launched direct operations in India, marking a strategic shift by parent Warner Music Group to deepen its presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing music markets.
The move replaces the company’s earlier sub-publishing model with a full-fledged, on-ground operation, aimed at giving Indian songwriters stronger access to global networks, rights management tools, and creative infrastructure.
To lead the push, Jay Mehta has been handed an expanded mandate. Already serving as managing director of Warner Music India, Mehta will now oversee both recorded music and publishing across India and neighbouring South Asian markets, effectively bringing the two sides of the business under one roof.
The unified structure is designed to streamline how artists and songwriters work with the company, offering a more integrated ecosystem that spans compositions, recordings, and global distribution.
Warner Music Group managing director, recorded music and publishing, India and SAARC Jay Mehta said, “India’s songwriters are world-class, constantly redefining genres and pushing creative boundaries. By establishing a direct footprint for Warner Chappell, we’re bridging the gap between local brilliance and global opportunity.”
The timing is no coincidence. According to CISAC, creator collections in India jumped 42 per cent year-on-year to Rs 7 billion in 2024, while IFPI ranks India as the 15th largest recorded music market globally. At the same time, the industry is undergoing a structural shift, with independent and non-film music gaining ground over traditional Bollywood soundtracks.
Warner’s bet is that a direct presence will help it capture this changing dynamic. The company is also offering India-based creators access to its proprietary tools, including AI-powered royalty matching systems and real-time analytics platforms, aimed at improving transparency and earnings visibility.
Warner Chappell Music co-chair and CEO Guy Moot said the move is about shaping a publishing ecosystem that “works for creators and ensures their music is heard, protected, and rewarded everywhere.”
Meanwhile, Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl underlined India’s importance to the company’s global strategy, noting that the new structure creates a “unified powerhouse” for both creators and audiences.
With local studios, global reach, and tighter integration across its business lines, Warner is clearly doubling down on India. And as streaming habits evolve and independent music rises, the company is positioning itself to be not just a participant, but a key architect of the country’s next music chapter.
