News Broadcasting
CNBC-TV18 commences the 15th year of India Business Leader Awards, launches ‘Leadership Collective’
MUMBAI: Celebrating 20 years of its excellence, CNBC-TV18, India leading business news channel gears up for its 15th edition of ‘India Business Leaders Awards’ with the launch of ‘Leadership Collective’ in Bangalore on 11th December 2019. To identify the transformation of the ever-evolving industries of the Indian economy and markets, the channel invited eminent industry veterans to throw light on the pertinent issues and challenges that would arise in meeting the ambitious $5 trillion economy.
The invite only exclusive gathering saw Industry heads congregate to deliberate on the current state of the economy. The show was launched by a candid keynote address by India’s leading woman entrepreneur, Kiran Majumdar Shaw, chairperson & MD, Biocon. Kiran raised some pertinent questions on gender inequality across industries, be it urban or rural and how it’s about time women get more voice, freedom and independence amongst their peers.
The keynote paved way for the larger thematic for the evening, the panel on “Mind the Gap: Going for equitable Growth”. The panel saw a blend of experts comprising Zerodha CEO Nithin Kamath; Standard Chartered CEO Zarin Daruwala; Biocon MD and chairperson Kiran Mazumdar Shaw; Enable India founder & chief enabler Shanti Raghavan; Daily Dump founder Poonam Bir Katuri; & Mentor together founder and CEO Arundhati Gupta.
Zarin Daruwala commented on Technology’s role in propelling the BFSI sector, better channeling resources and role of analytics in assessing credit-worthiness of applicants. Shanti Raghavan emphasised on the need to empower the specially abled populace of the country and make them contributors in the quest for enhanced economic development. Poonam Bir spoke about the need for environmental consciousness, changing the fundamental DNA of people’s apathy towards the earth’s finite resources. Nithin threw light on how entrepreneurial spirit in the country is being encouraged by regulatory bodies such as RBI & SEBI. On a light hearted note Arundhati Gupta stressed the fact that role models among younger women need to change, and be more aspirational for a forward thinking millennia.
Summarizing the stimulating discussion, Shereen left everyone with relevant thoughts around Gender inclusion, Disability inclusion, Environmental sensitivity, viewing them with an impartial lens, as they pose a challenge as well as an opportunity that could put India back on the growth trajectory.
The India Business Leaders Awards will be scheduled sometime around January 2020, felicitating disruptors and visionaries who have led the nation and the industry towards continuous growth and success.
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.
