GECs
Tom Keaveny is Discovery Asia MD
MUMBAI: Discovery Asia has appointed Tom Keaveny as its new executive VP and MD.
He takes on the job from next month.
He succeeds Neville Meijers, who becomes Discovery US executive VP for strategy.
Keaveny will oversee seven networks that reach 23 countries and 280 million cumulative subscribers. He was most recently the senior VP of sales and revenue for Discovery Networks Latin America, based in Miami. Prior to that he was at Discovery Networks Asia as senior VP of sales and revenue. Keaveny was also VP of affiliate sales and marketing for Discovery Networks Europe from January 2000 to June 2001, a position he assumed after several years at Eurosport.
Discovery Networks International president Dawn L. McCall said, Toms knowledge of the advertising community and multi-channel pay television market in Asia and the Pacific Rim enables him to readily step to the helm while his personal contacts in the region provide continuity to our clients and employees.
The Asia Pacific Rim business is an important component of Discovery Networks growth strategy and Toms experience working in our other regions and senior stature in the division make him uniquely suited to assume this important leadership position.
GECs
Vikram and Ajinkya Gandhe win Masterchef India season finale
Chef Sanjeev Kapoor joins judges for emotional MasterChef finale
MUMBAI: The latest season of MasterChef India concluded on a high note, with brothers Vikram Gandhe and Ajinkya Gandhe crowned winners in the grand finale aired on Sony Entertainment Television.
The duo from Nagpur lifted the coveted trophy and donned the show’s signature golden apron after a season that celebrated India’s diverse culinary traditions under the theme “Pride of India”.
This edition of the popular cooking reality show introduced a new jodi format, with 50 pairs from across the country competing in the Masterchef kitchen. Contestants brought personal stories, regional flavours and family bonds to the competition.
The grand finale featured the final three pairs: Vikram and Ajinkya Gandhe (brothers), Saisree and Chanda (mother and daughter), and Anju and Manju (sisters).
The finale was attended by celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor, who joined the show’s judging panel comprising Vikas Khanna, Ranveer Brar and Kunal Kapur.
Kapoor said the show has long served as a platform to celebrate India’s rich culinary heritage and provide passionate home cooks with a national stage. He noted that the current season reflected a confident India that takes pride in its roots while embracing new culinary ideas.
Judge Vikas Khanna said the contestants’ journeys and the memories created during the season would remain with the team long after the show’s conclusion. Ranveer Brar described the show as a family that continues to grow with every season, while Kunal Kapur praised the contestants’ creativity and determination.
With the finale now concluded, the latest season of MasterChef India once again highlighted how food can reflect identity, heritage and storytelling, inspiring home cooks across the country to pursue their culinary ambitions.
