eNews
IVM Podcasts onboards Meghnad S. & Safura Ubaid as creative directors
Mumbai: IVM Podcasts has on boarded veteran media professionals, Meghnad S. in the role of creative director (non-fiction) and Safura Ubaid as the network’s creative director (fiction). Both the hires come with a prolific track record and will work in their respective areas of expertise, to elevate the business.
As creative director (non-fiction), Meghnad S. will actively seek concepts and oversee every stage, right from conceptualisation to execution of content in the non-fiction genre.
The podcast network has a wide array of non-fiction podcasts including finance, political, current affairs, and sports to name a few. Well-aligned with the role, Meghnad will bring his expertise as a journalist, author and content creator of videos, podcasts and columns including ‘Sansad Watch’ and ‘Consti-tuition’ to his current role.
On the fiction side, Safura Ubaid will join as the creative director (fiction). She will mainly look into scouting for interesting ideas, adapting concepts and stories and managing the existing portfolio of fiction audio dramas.
Ubaid is a seasoned creative expert in the original content and IP space. She comes with an impressive track record of having created elevated premium content for multiple platforms including marquee players like Netflix, Amazon, Universal Pictures, and Fox Star Studios among a slew of others.
Commenting on her appointment, Safura Ubaid said, “We’re living in a golden age of storytelling and what’s fascinating is we are witnessing a massive consumer shift in the consumption of stories. I look forward to building a strong premium fiction slate within an ecosystem where stories can shapeshift into high-quality scripted audio and video content.”
Meghnad S commented on the new role, “I have always been an avid podcast listener and have keenly followed the great work that IVM Podcasts has been doing. We have also worked together and had great fun for ‘How to Citizen’ and I am excited to be joining this team brimming with ideas. It’s time to experiment with new, creative ways of delivering non-fiction content to a growing base of podcast listeners in India.”
IVM Podcasts-Pratilipi head Amit Doshi commented on the new appointments, “By bringing in the best talent and fortifying the management team, we are ensuring our business is ready to navigate and scale in a fast-evolving content landscape. We are happy to welcome both Meghnad and Safura to the IVM Podcast team. With the kind of expertise they bring to the table, we are excited to see where they take the brand from here.”
eNews
Piyush Thakur steps down as Inshorts’ chief revenue officer
Former vice president and cro says exit marks a new chapter after close to a decade of building revenue and partnerships at Inshorts Group.
NOIDA: Piyush Thakur has stepped away from Inshorts Group after nearly 10 years with the company, marking the end of a long tenure that culminated in his role as chief revenue officer.
In a farewell note, Thakur said he was “turning a new page” after almost a decade at Inshorts, calling it one of the hardest professional decisions he has made. He added that his exit was not driven by uncertainty about the future, but by reflection on a long association with the company.
Thakur joined Inshorts in October 2016 as vice president and spent around seven years in the role before being elevated to chief revenue officer in April 2024, a position he held until April 2026.
He said his tenure was defined by “thousands of mornings, late nights, product debates and breakthrough moments”, as the company evolved into a large-scale digital news platform used by millions.
In his note, Thakur emphasised that Inshorts’ growth was a collective effort across teams, adding that engineers, designers, sales teams and customer support staff all contributed to building the platform. He said the company’s success was not the result of individuals but of “everyone who stayed, passed through, and left their mark”.
Before Inshorts, Thakur worked across several digital media and business development roles. At ESPN, he served as senior regional manager from October 2015 to October 2016, focusing on growth initiatives, strategic opportunities and video distribution.
At Times Internet, he worked for nearly three years, including as head of business development from April 2015 to September 2015 and chief manager from January 2013 to March 2015. His responsibilities included monetisation of mobile platforms, managing media and developer partnerships, and driving revenue across digital properties such as The Times of India and The Economic Times.
Earlier, he worked at Brandmovers as head of business development from June 2012 to June 2013, handling digital, mobile and social media marketing solutions, client development and strategic consulting. During this period, he also worked on advertising revenue, brand strategy and CRM-based solutions.
At Inshorts, Thakur’s role focused on revenue strategy, mobile and media partnerships, and growth initiatives across platforms. His profile highlights experience in mobile product management, digital business models, partner ecosystems and revenue expansion in high-growth environments.
