Kids
Turner International APAC appoints Shitiz Jain as Sr VP – Finance
MUMBAI: Turner International is looking at tightening its bottom line and in pursuit of doing so has roped in Shitiz Jain, who takes up the role of senior VP Finance effective 17 March 2014.
This executive new hire was announced today by Turner Broadcasting System International EVP & CFO Ray Hutton and Turner International Asia Pacific president Ricky Ow.
Jain was most recently with Discovery Networks Asia Pacific as chief financial officer and head of corporate services. He will be responsible to lead Turner’s financial growth planning and assisting regional management to maximise financial results across the full portfolio of Turner’s kids, news and general entertainment brands, and businesses in the region.
Commenting on the hire Hutton says: “Shitiz has more than 20 years of international financial management experience which we’re delighted to harness for this critical role within one of Turner’s most important regional operations. His track record in delivering growth and his evident commercial acumen and leadership skills, make him an ideal fit with Turner’s growth philosophy.”
Jain will have a range of responsibilities which includes forecasting, budgeting and long range planning, defining and managing the achievement of goals, and providing financial analysis and counsel to all business heads. In this newly created role, he will develop a finance team that will be strategically aligned with the needs of the business. In addition, he will offer strategic and financial modelling support at both the Turner and Time Warner executive management level.
Supporting Hutton’s views Ow says: “Turner in Asia Pacific has ambitious growth targets which require robust financial support and I know Shitiz will serve as a key advisor for me in this regard. Shitiz’s strong CFO background and expertise in overseeing businesses across the Asia Pacific region will be undoubted assets for us as we take our business to the next level.”
Jain joins Turner in Hong Kong after nearly 15 years at Discovery in India and Singapore, where his success in forging strong client relationships and creating new revenue opportunities, drove strong revenue and EBITDA growth. Prior to joining Discovery Networks, Jain served in a variety of financial, operating and strategic roles with Cargill Foods, Fujitsu ICIM and Phoenix Industries.
Kids
Mukta Arts and Green Gold ink MOU to animate iconic film IPs
Kalicharan, Karz, Hero, Karma, Ram Lakhan to spawn animated shows plus features.
MUMBAI: When classic hindi movie meets animation, the result is a fresh reel of nostalgia with a cartoon twist. Mukta Arts Ltd. and Green Gold Animation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on animated shows and feature films drawn from Mukta Arts’ four-decade treasure trove of iconic IPs. The partnership taps Mukta’s SGM Animation Studio launched in 2025 as its dedicated animation and games arm and Green Gold’s proven track record in building scalable, homegrown franchises. Creative teams from both sides have already kicked off discussions, with the first project currently in development.
The slate will draw inspiration from landmark Mukta films including Kalicharan, Karz, Hero, Karma, Ram Lakhan, Khalnayak, Saudagar and Iqbal, plus character-led spin-offs from those universes. The aim is to reimagine these stories for today’s young, global audiences while preserving their emotional core.
Green Gold Animation (home of Chhota Bheem) founder and CEO Rajiv Chilaka said, “This partnership with SGM Studios allows us to apply our experience in building long-lasting animation IPs to a truly iconic film catalogue. Together, we aim to create animated worlds that are rooted in these legendary stories, yet designed to connect with today’s young, global audiences.”
Mukta Arts Ltd. filmmaker and founder Subhash Ghai added, “Mukta Arts has always believed in creating stories with lasting emotional value. Through animation, we are extending our IP into a new medium for the next generation.”
In an industry where timeless tales never go out of fashion, this collaboration promises to bring beloved characters back to life with a modern, animated glow proving that some stories are too good to stay in live-action. Stay tuned for the first animated frame to drop.
