People
Ford models supermodel of the world: Bangalore girl Shubra Aiyappa conquers the Indian leg
Mumbai, November 28, 2005: In a glittering ceremony at the InterContinental, Mumbai – Shubra Aiyappa from Bangalore was chosen as the winner for the Indian Round of the Ford Model Supermodel of the World Contest 2005, presented by ZOOM. Mumbai girl Afsha Khan was the first runner up, while Shrestha Paul from Kolkatta was selected as the second runner up.
Shubra will fly to New York in January 2006, and compete with girls from 45 other countries, for the hugely respected title of the Ford Supermodel of the World. Other than the prestigious title Shubra will also be competing for a cash prize of $ 250,000 and a modeling contract with the prestigious Ford Models.
Some of experts on the jury were Fashion czars, Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla, Actor/Dancer Isha Sharvani, Iris Miner, Director, Ford- New York and Pooja Batra amongst others. All the thirteen finalists have been going through rigorous training for the last 1 month, with specialists like – Sheetal Malhar, Achala Sachdeva, Marvie Beck, Avan Contractor, Nandita Mahtani, Gavin Miguel and Sanjeev Mulchandani.You can watch all the excitement of the contest at 7:00 pm on Zoom, on Saturday 4th December.
Iris Minier, Director of Ford agency is in India and will be on the jury for the final contest. Speaking on the occasion Ms. Minier said, “I am delighted to be in India and be involved in selecting the Indian representative for the Ford Models Supermodel of the World. I believe Indian girls, apart from being beautiful, are confident and intelligent.”
Ford models has always been ahead of its time and launched their first international model search in 1980. Their 90’s search evolved into “Supermodel of the World”. The Ford Models Supermodel of the World Contest is currently spread across over 50 countries, making it one of the most respected model hunts in the world. The top award for the contest is a cash prize of $ 250,000 and a modeling contract with Ford Models.
Founder Ellen Ford, a living legend in the fashion industry and her daughter Katie Ford take personal interest in every minute detail of the contest. This is one of the key reasons that the Ford Models Supermodel of the World continues to be one of the most respected contests on International platform.
The models found in the Supermodel of the World search have graced the covers of the most prominent magazines and appeared in a good number of hi – profile campaigns. Ford has launched some of the most glamorous faces in the world, many of whom have become successful Hollywood stars and illustrious models. Sharon Stone, Christy Turlington, Kim Basinger, Melaine Griffith, Brooke Shields, Rahel Hunter, Jerry Hall and her daughter Elizabeth Jagger are a few famous faces launched by The Ford Agency.
InterContinental The Grand Mumbai hospitality partner for the prestigious Ford Models Supermodel of the World, exudes of Asia’s largest Atrium Lobby reflecting sheer luxury and opulence. Comprising of 369 guestrooms, 21 luxurious apartments all are an eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary furnishing. With 5 Food & Beverage outlets, Sutra – the Night Club, Rejuve – SPA, SNIP – the unique salon, Box Office – the Preview Theatre and state of art Banquet & Conference facilities, just add to a truly stylish & magnificent experience.
For further details please contact:
Pooja Parekh/ Zahra Hooda
Good Relations (I) Pvt. Ltd.
Tel: 23535971-77
People
Senior exec Madhu Soman reflects on stepping away from Indian TV news
Sometimes the toughest story in a newsroom is the one about the newsroom itself.
MUMBAI: For Madhu Soman, a media executive whose career spans more than two decades at global news organisations including Reuters and Bloomberg, the decision to step away from India’s television news industry followed conversations with several leading networks.
Soman returned to India in 2022 to take up a senior leadership role in television news.
He transitioned to the business side of the industry in 2014, joining Bloomberg in Hong Kong to lead broadcast sales, news syndication and strategic partnerships across Asia-Pacific. He held the role for nearly eight years before returning to India.
“WION and Zee Business were the reason I chose to return to India after long years with Reuters and Bloomberg, transitioning from telling stories to selling them,” Soman said.
“The landing strip back home was always narrow, but it was one I was happy to take.”
The stint at Zee Media Corporation Ltd., however, proved shorter than expected.
“It didn’t take very long to realise that my runway within Zee (Media) was going to be rather short,” Soman said.
“Let’s just say I was a cultural misfit.”
Even so, he says the experience had its rewards, including exceptional colleagues and a few good friends.
After stepping away from the organisation, Soman was in discussions about potential roles.
“I spent the better part of the last two years in conversations with a few leading networks, long enough to realise the difference between being unemployed and being unemployable.”
Some of the feedback, he says, was unusually candid.
“Two of them informally told me I’m perhaps one of the best media executives in the television news business. But someone like me fronting a television news network would be considered a business risk,” Soman said in conversation with IndianTelevision.com.
For Soman, the implication was clear.
“A news network fronted by someone whose instincts were formed in journalism rooted in independence, accuracy and editorial distance from power was unlikely to find much favour with the powers that be.”
Beyond the personal dimension of his decision, Soman says the experience reflects broader pressures shaping the news industry today.
“Journalism’s job is simple: ask hard questions and hold power accountable. Keep it honest,” he said.
Quoting former Washington Post editor Marty Baron, he added: “We’re not at war with the government. We’re at work.”
“That principle applies to anyone in a position of influence, whether in government, business, sport or entertainment.”
At the same time, he says the industry faces growing pressures.
“Authoritarian regimes that resist scrutiny, along with rapid technological change including AI, are reshaping and often undermining journalism’s traditional business model.”
“There’s also a growing credibility deficit, as the race for eyeballs rewards whoever delivers the news first rather than whoever confirms it best.”
Having worked on both the editorial and commercial sides of the industry, Soman says he is acutely aware of the economic realities media organisations face.
“Running a media organisation today means being a pragmatic P&L owner. The challenge is to keep investing in strong journalism while making the economics work at a time when a growing share of the industry’s revenue is increasingly being captured by technology platforms.”
“If we drop the ball on accuracy and trust, we do a grave disservice to the democracy we’re meant to serve.”
His experience straddling both content and commerce has shaped his view of how the industry must evolve.
“Good journalism and good business strategy are not opposites,” he said.
“The best media businesses are built when editorial integrity, audience trust and sustainable economics reinforce each other.”
“And ultimately, none of it works without strong teams. Leadership in media is as much about building people and institutions as it is about building products.”
Soman is now preparing to return to his hometown of Trivandrum, barely four years after returning to India.
“Delhi NCR has a way of testing your patience, your stamina and occasionally your sanity,” he says. “But it also leaves you with stories that will last a lifetime.”
“So as I pack up and head home to Trivandrum, I do so with no complaints and no regrets.”
“I didn’t sell my soul. Some things, after all, aren’t for sale.”
Soman’s reflections underscore the tensions between editorial independence, commercial realities and political pressures shaping television news today. His experience offers a window into the challenges facing media leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry. For him, the decision marks a moment to step back after decades spent across global newsrooms and media businesses.
