News Broadcasting
Primetime OOH undergoes revamp
MUMBAI: Primetime Media’s specialist out-of-home (OOH) media division Primetime OOH is in the process of revamping itself.
Primetime OOH has re-positioned itself as Prime Outdoors. The company has revamped its logo and brand to reposition itself as a trusted solution provider for the client’s OOH needs. Next, it shall concentrate on fine tuning its marketing strategy and adding more clients to its clientele and building brand by creating opportunities, environments and events that educate, engage, entertain, interact and inspire the target audience.
The company also has a new CEO in Sanjay Somvanshi who has 13 years of experience across companies like Yamaha Audio/Jamo Speakers, Actis Technologies, TDI International, En Route Media and has cross functional expertise.
“We wanted to highlight the fact that we are an “Outdoors” company that can stand on its own mettle. We also wanted to use our own logo for the outdoor business to help establish our independent identity which is completely focussed exclusively in the Indian outdoor space. Our marketing strategy is to be completely aligned with our philosophy of providing innovating, cost effective media options to advertisers which helps them meet their business objectives. Our future plan for Prime Outdoors would be brand recognition,” said Somvanshi.
On joining the company, Somvanshi said, “What intrigued me about Primetime was the fact that it is the first ‘six sigma company’ to have developed and implemented outdoor relevant systems and processes – PIPS (Prime Information and Process Systems), which enables one to deliver quality and benchmarked campaigns.”
Primetime was an early entrant in the Television media who started by selling airtime on television serials and films on Doordarshan and other private satellite networks. By virtue of diversification, Primetime has expanded their business to include international marketing of airtime, Out-of-Home media solutions, and specialised mid-sized and small towns initiatives and more recently by launching initiatives in the digital space.
Prime Outdoors has developed scientific tools such as PRISMS (Prime Information and Site Management System), which uses market information in terms of its total potential, profile of the population and different media options exposed to these towns. It also offers web-enabled services, such as the online tracker, ensure complete transparency which helps clients to view and monitor their campaigns conveniently online.
News Broadcasting
GenNext takes charge as Network18 reshuffles leadership
With Avinash Kaul bowing out, Network18 hands reins to younger leaders, streamlines operations, and pushes data-driven growth across TV, digital and regional markets
MUMBAI: Network18 is redrawing its leadership map just as a long-time lieutenant bows out. Avinash Kaul, a central figure in the broadcaster’s rise since 2014, is leaving after 12 years to pursue “professional and personal goals”, triggering a broad-based reshuffle that puts a younger cohort directly under the top brass.
Kaul joined at a pivotal moment during the company’s transition and went on to scale the television business, combining strategic nous with data-led decision-making and a sharp read of the news landscape. “Avinash has been an integral part of the Network18 story,” the company said, thanking him for his leadership of the broadcast business and wishing him the best for the future.
In his wake, Network18 is betting on what it calls a “young and restless” leadership bench. “The team has taken charge and proved its mettle in quite adverse circumstances,” the note said, adding that “GenNext has seamlessly stepped in as we continue to outperform our peers.”
Operationally, the structure is being flattened. Smriti Mehra, S Shivakumar and Mitul Sangani will work directly with the top leadership, as they did in the fourth quarter. Ganesh Iyer and Abhinay Chauhan continue in their existing roles, while younger executives are being handed wider mandates across social, digital, connected TV and linear.
The reporting lines are being tightened to drive revenue and product momentum. Prabhat Chatterjee, business head–Forbes, and Arun Thapar, president–content and communication for AETN-18, will report to Smriti Mehra, alongside Mallika Nath Handa, who will lead special projects spanning new shows and non-linear properties. Jayesh Gokalgandhi, CFO for AETN-18, will report to Ramesh Damani.
Mitul Sangani will oversee expansion in Hindi and regional markets, with Sidharth Newatia, CRO–ILC, focusing on reach and revenue growth, particularly in tier-II and III markets. Pankaj Soni, head of marketing–ILC, will also report to Sangani while working functionally with Ganesh Iyer.
The group is also consolidating its branded content play. Moneycontrol’s branded content business will be folded into News18 Studio, with Don Zarrar moving to work with Shivakumar while continuing to lead existing studio and Focus teams.
International and platform growth are being bundled together. Pranav Bakshi takes on additional charge of the international business alongside connected TV and social platforms, with Naveen Mathur, who leads revenue management for the international unit, reporting to him. Bakshi continues to report to Puneet Singhvi.
On the technology and operations side, Rajesh Sharma, head of broadcast technology and IT; Rahul Singh, head of events and technical operations; and Bhupender Bhardwaj, head of IT security, will now report to Singhvi. Darshil Parekh, head of sales strategy, planning and operations, will work directly with Ramesh Damani and the top leadership, with Stanley Cyril, who manages digital sales operations, reporting to him.
Data is being pushed to the centre of decision-making. Jitamitra Mohanty, who leads research and analytics, will now work with Santosh Menon to turn audience data into “actionable insights that drive content strategy, product innovation and sustainable viewership growth”.
The message is clear: fewer layers, faster calls, sharper bets. With Kaul’s exit closing one chapter, Network18 is handing the wheel to a younger crew and doubling down on scale across screens. The race, it signals, will be run at full tilt.
