News Broadcasting
Intelsat board of directors chairman Conny Kullman to be inducted into SSPI Hall of Fame
MUMBAI: Intelsat has announced that Intelsat Ltd., Board of Directors chairman (retired) Conny Kullman, is a 2007 inductee to the Society of Satellite Professionals International (SSPI) Satellite Hall of Fame.
SSPI will induct its new Hall of Fame members at an invitational ceremony on 20 February, immediately before the start of the annual SSPI Gala, held on the opening day of the Satellite 2007 Conference and Exhibition in Washington, D.C., informs an official release.
“Conny led Intelsat through its privatization and began the challenging task of transforming the company from an intergovernmental organization to a commercial company, positioning Intelsat to become the leading global satellite operator,” said Intelsat CEO Dave McGlade. “His many achievements throughout his career shaped Intelsat and the industry.”
The release adds that Kullman led Intelsat and its global employee base through its privatization, and its metamorphosis into a highly competitive operator. In addition, he was a driving force behind commercial, operational and engineering changes during his tenure as Intelsat’s chief executive officer from 1998-2005. Under his leadership, Kullman implemented a terrestrial strategy resulting in the development of Intelsat’s GlobalConnex portfolio suite of services, which now represents approximately $130 million in annual revenues.
In addition, Kullman led a $2.5 billion, three year fleet replenishment campaign that increased available capacity in growth markets. In 2003, Kullman was at the helm when Intelsat announced its acquisition of the North American satellites of Loral Space and Communications, providing Intelsat with access to the North American market and completing Intelsat’s global system.
In 2004, Kullman recognized the opportunity to achieve the goals of the Orbit Act while at the same time obtaining premium shareholder returns, by conducting an LBO process which resulted in the acquisition of Intelsat by a consortium of private equity firms at a competitive price. Kullman capped his career in 2005 as chairman of Intelsat, playing a critical role in the completion of Intelsat’s acquisition of PanAmSat.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Kolkata Town Hall on Hooghly River
‘Bhalobasa Bengal Inspiring Bharat’ event on April 20 brings cultural icons, trailblazing women and leaders aboard a cruise to celebrate Bengal’s enduring influence.
MUMBAI: Bengal is about to make fresh waves on the Hooghly and this time the current is pure conversation. CNN-News18 is taking its iconic Town Hall format to the waters of the iconic Hooghly River on 20 April 2026 with a special edition titled ‘Bhalobasa Bengal – Inspiring Bharat’. The floating event will celebrate the state’s rich cultural legacy and how its ideas, creativity and spirit continue to shape the rest of the country.
The unique riverside setting draws on Bengal’s history as a cradle of reform, art and intellectual thought. The speaker line-up mirrors that diversity: cultural heavyweights Mithun Chakraborty and Sreenanda Shankar will share the stage with trailblazing “Devis” such as Tanya Sanyal (India’s first woman firefighter in aviation), Ipsita Chakraborty (Kolkata’s first woman bartender) and Reshma Nilofer Visalakshi (Nari Shakti awardee and marine pilot). Music will flow through the celebrated pianist-vocalist duo Sourendro and Soumyojit, while public life and governance will be represented by Smriti Irani, Leander Paes, Saira Shah Halim, Keya Ghosh, Rekha Patra, Roopa Ganguly and Babul Supriyo.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director, Rahul Shivshankar, said the event honours voices that carry Bengal’s legacy forward. Smriti Mehra, CEO – English & Business News, Network18, added that Bengal’s stories resonate far beyond its borders, especially as the state heads into polls.
From the first woman to battle flames in the skies to legendary actors who shaped Indian cinema, the gathering promises a rich mix of inspiration, courage and candid dialogue. In a city where culture has always flowed as freely as the river itself, CNN-News18 is turning the Hooghly into a floating forum for ideas that matter.
Tune in on 20 April on CNN-News18, CTV and YouTube to catch Bengal’s heartbeat in full flow.
