MxMIndia

Tag: Raj Nayak

  • Raj Nayak inducted into the IAA Hall of Fame

    IAA Leadership awards presented

    By our Staff

     

    The International Advertising Association’s (IAA) India Chapter announced the winners for the eighth edition of the IAA Leadership Awards in Mumbai on Friday. Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari was chief guest. The association inducted senor mediaperson and former President Raj Nayak into the IAA Hall of Fame for “investing a lifetime in the marcom industry and  for his sterling role in directing the India Chapter of IAA towards its ongoing role in being the voice of sustainability”.

     

    Said IAA President, Megha Tata: “It is so rewarding to see the best in the business taking the time to be here and accepting these awards. While we were planning the awards for 2021 we wanted to highlight leaders that have established new age businesses.”

     

    Other prominent recipients were: Bobby Pawar (Creative Agency Leader of the Year), Nandini Dias (Media Agency Leader of the Year), N P Singh (Media Person of the Year), Raj Kamal Jha (Editor of the Year) and Palki Sharma Upadhyay (TV Anchor of the Year). Actor and Film Producer Anil Kapoor received the IAA Brand Endorser of the Year.

     

    Winner List – Leadership Awards 2021

     

  • The service will be offered free to all Indian companies for six months

    Raj Nayak’s House of Cheer & Happyness.me offers free Employee Voice 24/7 platform

    By Our Staff

     

    Raj Nayak
    Raj Nayak

    House of Cheer, a company promoted by media veteran Raj Nayak, has announced it is making available its tech-enabled Employee Voice 24/7 platform, to small, medium and large companies, free of cost. Launched under the happyness.me brand, Employee Voice 24/7 will be offered to every company (small, medium and large) across India for an extended period of six months.

     

    Namrata Tata
    Namrata Tata

    Said Namrata Tata, Managing Partner- House Of Cheer: “The world is still in the throes of the worst global disaster in living human memory, and the pandemic has impacted lives in unimaginable ways. As companies and their employees struggle to overcome the challenges, it is an undisputable fact that at all times, the state of mind of employees has an important bearing on both – their own happiness, and the performance and fortunes of the company. “We have rolled out this free service to encourage organisations to connect with their people on a real-time basis,” adding: “We would therefore encourage leaders of every organization, regardless of size, to make the Employee Voice 24/7 service a partner in their growth efforts. Because communication is a two-way street, and you need to hear from your people, just as much as they need to hear from you.”

     

    Organisations wanting to avail of the free service for Employee Voice 24/7 can write to Hello@happyness.me

     

  • Yes, and he is party to his channel’s actions in the recent past, writes Pradyuman Maheshwari

    Is Group CEO Vikas Khanchandani paying the price for Republic TV’s journalism?

     

     

    By Pradyuman Maheshwari

     

    On Sunday, December 13, 2020, Republic Media Network Group Chief Executive Officer Vikas Khanchandani had stepped out on his morning walk in suburban Mumbai. A little after 8am, when he got back home, there was a police contingent waiting for him. He was arrested on the TRP Scam case that has been raging in the industry for a few months. There was some hope still since the matter was going to come for hearing in the presence of the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, but rather than secure bail or release, he was remanded to police custody till tomorrow (December 15).

     

    Khanchandani is the fourth Republic TV employee who has been arrested by the Mumbai police including founder, editor-in-chief and managing director Arnab Goswami. Last week, he was summoned several times by the police for questioning.

     

    So what is Khanchandani’s crime?

     

    1. He is Group CEO of Republic Media Network, and is hence responsible for all business functions of the organisation. He reports to Arnab Goswami who is also managing director and the primary promoter.

     

    2. As per the Companies Act of 2013, the law clearly lists  the key managerial personnel included – in this order: The MD or CEO or Manager and in their absence: a whole-time director. These are followed by the Company Secretary and then the Chief Financial Officer. In Republic’s case, the MD and promoter is the key official, but guess arresting him again would be too hot to handle

     

    3. The police says that as Group CEO and to whom Chief Operating Officer Priya Mukherjee reported, Khanchandani instructed her and the team on all the allegedly illegal actions.

     

    4. Republic TV, as per the police claims, had allegedly indulged in activities that regulatory body TRAI (short for Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) frowns upon

     

    It may be noted that Khanchandani was arrested a day before his anticipatory bail application was to be heard by the Sessions Court in Mumbai. He was represented by Senior Advocate and Republic TV’s lawyer, Aabad Ponda.

     

    So what you have above is the official stand, but it’s clear that Khanchandani was arrested given the ongoing slugfest on between Goswami and the Maharashtra government and Mumbai Police. Both have been equally critical of each other, but Goswami has gone a step further to damn and provoke the government and the Police Commissioner. On air. In English and in Hindi.

     

    Logically, Khanchandani should have had the industry come out in support. This writer was among the first to do that, only to be ridiculed and questioned on Twitter that Khanchandani was party to all the excesses of Goswami on television. The media trial that happened post the actor Sushant Singh Rajput death and the manner in which Rajput’s friend and actor Rhea Chakraborty was being targeted ensured that even Goswami’s well-wishers (like this writer) turned against him.

     

    And then there is Goswami’s very open praise of the BJP-led NDA government’s policies and actions. While the channel owner may say that it’s his nationalism that governs him, it’s a clear pursuit of ratings (nothing wrong with it) and commerce at all cost that is driving him. Thankfully for him, the BJP is firmly in the saddle till mid-2024, but the result is that all the goodwill that the channel and its founder have had had has been lost. Khanchandani, as Goswami’s second-in-command, bears the brunt of this legacy.

     

    Sample the tweet by Raj Nayak, a senior mediaperson who is known to be a friend and mentor to Khanchandani: “I am really saddened by the arrest of my dear friend #VikasKhanchandani. We’ve been close for over 2 decades. I can vouch for his integrity. His only fault being at the wrong place at the wrong time and getting caught in the crossfire. Praying that he is safe and released soon.”

     

    I am really saddened by the arrest of my dear friend #VikasKhanchandani. We’ve been close for over 2 decades. I can vouch for his integrity. His only fault being at the wrong place at the wrong time and getting caught in the crossfire.  Praying that he is safe and released soon.

    — Raj Nayak (@rajcheerfull) December 13, 2020

     

     

    Let’s read this line from Nayak’s tweet again: His only fault being at the wrong place at the wrong time and getting caught in the crossfire.

     

    Clearly, there is nothing that’s left unsaid. Khanchandani is a good guy, but at the wrong place – Republic Media Network.

     

    So what must be done:

     

    1. Khanchandani, his family and friends and the industry must prevail upon Goswami to cease and desist from provoking the government and courts any longer. On Sunday, when the Court order came in, Goswami was on air and was virtually questioning the Court verdict. If it is examined for Contempt of Court and found to disobeying the judiciary, Khanchandani could have problems. In fact, if the government is provoked further, it will only delay the decision to free Khanchandani

     

    2. This is a personal and professional decision, but it’s time that Khanchandani and all right-thinking (right as in correct and not the politically right) people working with Republic Media Network weigh how their continuance in the organisation impacts their moral and legal standing.

     

    My tweet expressing sadness at Khanchandani’s arrest and assertion that he has a squeaky clean reputation had some who endorsed his professional standards but also drew some angry feedback. Sample this: “… the fact remains that he has been part of a hate factory that has been selling ads to promote more hate based on gaming the system because of inefficiencies”.

     

    Sad to see @republic TV CEO Vikas Khanchandani being arrested. I have known him for many years and can say he’s squeaky clean. Yes, he works with Republic. But is that his primary crime? @VickMaverick @rajcheerfull @TheAdClub_India @IAA_India

    — Pradyuman Maheshwari (@pmahesh) December 13, 2020

     

    Another comment said: “… would you say that he somewhere profited when the whole SSR debacle was taking place on his network, where the so called ‘guilty’ were charged even before a proper trial. Even if he did what he did while being aware of the right or wrong then I guess Karma’s a bitch.”

     

    The decision on what next is clearly with Goswami and Khanchandani. And whether Khanchandani spends two or more days depends on how Goswami conducts himself. On television.

     

    He was an excellent journalist, is well-educated, has impeccable social skills, but when he’s on camera and in his studio, he’s a different being.

     

    The Shiv Sena-led MVA government has such stalwarts like Sharad Pawar mentoring it. The fact that the combine could outwit a BJP with superpowers like Narendra Modi and Amit Shah speaks volumes for what they can achieve.

     

    Sadly, Khanchandani and his family are paying the price for all of Goswami’s actions.

     

    Pradyuman Maheshwari is a senior journalist and media commentator. He is also Founder and Editor-in-Chief, MxMIndia. His views here are personal

     

  • He will be a sounding board and will advise the co-founders

    Raj Nayak joins Vistas Media Cap’s Board of Advisors

    By A Correspondent

     

    Vistas Media Capital, a Singapore-based content media and entertainment investment holding company, has announces the addition of Raj Nayak to its board of advisors.

     

    He will be a sounding board and will advise the co-founders Abhayanand Singh and India Partner, Piiyush Singh, to grow the business units in India. He would also assist in strategy which will put Vistas Media and its existing businesses on the growth path in India and will play a critical role in launching a few of their upcoming initiatives in the market.

     

    Said Abhayanand Singh, Chief Executive Officer, Vistas Media Capital Pte. Ltd:

    “We are thrilled to have Raj on board this exciting journey which started in 2014. The vast experience which he brings with him will help us gear operations in India as he is known to be an innovation catalyst in the media sector. We welcome the fresh thinking which is forward-looking and has an ability to disrupt the market.”

     

    Added Nayak: “The Media & Entertainment space is growing at an exponential pace in India & this role gives me the opportunity to be a part of the exciting journey of Vistas Capital who have very ambitious plans. The good thing about this role is that it does not in any way restrict or disrupt my other plans in this space.”

     

     

  • Happyness.me is a proprietary tool that measures the happiness quotient of corporates and its people

    Raj Nayak’s House of Cheer announces Happyness.me to measure happiness

    By A Correspondent

     

    Raj Nayak
    Raj Nayak
    Namrata Tata

    House of Cheer Pvt. Ltd has announced the launch of its new division, Happyness.me, a proprietary tool that measures the happiness quotient of corporates and its people. House of Cheer is founded by former Viacom18 COO and leading media personality and entrepreneur Raj Nayak.

     

    Commenting on Happyness.me, House of Cheer Managing Partner Namrata Tata said: “With over three decades of experience working in business and industry, we have learned that emotion drives us. Emotions motivate us, they inspire, and they energise us to be productive and to take control of our professional lives. We believe that happiness is the primary emotion that can maximise potential and that has not yet been truly leveraged in the Indian workspace,” adding: “Using behavioural psychology, neuroscience, and data-analytics, with inputs from experts in the field, combined with our team’s extensive experience leading large-scale operations, we have developed a unique proprietary service to measure the happiness quotient within an organisation and to provide customised solutions that empower leaders and inspire teams. Having partnered with one of the world’s leading human insights company’s, The Happiness Index, for our  technology platform, we are hoping to usher in a new era in Indian business, focusing first and foremost on the backbone of any organisation, it’s people. Ours is a two- year program with regular, happiness audits that will help the CEO and the leadership team to prioritise on the mental and emotional well-being of their people. Our goal is to help organisations create a happiness journey and enable them with the happiness.me tool to visualise their company culture and implement strategies to create a happy flourishing working environment.”

     

    Added Alan Gemmell, of the UK Trade Commission for South Asia: “I’m delighted that Raj Nayak, House of Cheer and The Happiness Index UK are launching Happyness.me, a critical solution for businesses and Corporate leaders to explore engaging ways to connect with their employees in the new world. India and the UK are tech powerhouses.  This perfect partnership reflects the continuing global attraction of the UK’s creative and tech sectors, bringing together innovative tech with commercial expertise and creative brilliance.” And this is what Tony Latter, Co-founder & Head of Innovations at The Happiness Index UK said: “The future of work will look very different in terms of when, where and how people are working. Whether it is more employees working remotely, flexibly or in a globally distributed model, the challenges of effectively engaging and communicating with your people are increasing and mean that leaders require a new set of emotional skills and insight. We are tremendously excited to partner with the House of Cheer and the team at Happyness.me.”

     

     

  • Sanjeev Kotnala writes on interview-based shows by Raj Nayak, Mitrajit Bhattacharya and Sonal Dabral

    A Tale of Three Web Talkshows. Spoiled for Choice

     

    By Sanjeev Kotnala

     

    News and notifications on webinars, interview-based talkshows, short courses, streaming discussions and dialogues have been invading my inbox ever since the Lockdowns kicked in. Two of three emails in the inbox are about invitations, registrations, subscriptions or access to an earlier event.

     

    The inbox is like the snake island, full of waiting web-based shows. I, the migratory bird am resting on it, during my onwards journey, unaware of what the show will present. I have watched many shows live, some recorded and few I have closed after a few minutes as they failed to engage me.

     

    One is bound to make errors in choosing events, shows, webinars and courses to attend. Stop blaming the system and the people managing these events. Remember, it is you who is responsible for the experience.

     

    The organisers are merely pursuing the organisational strategies of lead generation, image correction or information sharing. You decide to attend them based on your biased understanding of the calibre, capability, capacity and expectations from these events. This understanding itself is a result of your perceptions. Sometimes, it is okay to be emotionally lead. Mistakes happen. After all, the reality is adulterated with perceptions.

     

    No, I am not fully holding you responsible. The trap of topic-person-platform fit is a big bait. So it is natural to register. Making the wrong choice is a crime. However, when you don’t learn and end up attending yet another disappointing event, the fault lies with you.

    In the last two weeks, I watched three branded web shows. All presented by well-known persons in advertising and marketing.

     

    Friday’s Live with Raj Nayak.

    The inaugural edition had this delightful conversation with Jill Majeski. A free-flowing conversation with Anil Kapoor was next. I loved it. There was simplicity and openness that I enjoyed. If you have not watched, do find time to view it. Next was Poonam Mahajan. Poonam is not the candidate I would want as a guest. And then last week we had Faye D’Souza, a brilliant journalist and activist. It is different that I refused to watch it as I do not like her style of journalism. However, I watched it on YouTube. Somewhere I realised, I am watching, Friday’s Live purely based on my expectations from Raj Nayak. It was the wrong thing to do.

     

    A talk show is like clapping, it resonated when partners are on the same frequency. Raj brings a positive feel to everything. He is digging for learnings. However, the audience on the ringside wants to see every side of the personality. Failures and setbacks make the character seem more humane and likeable. Goodness alone will not have enough buyers.

     

    Bollywood Talkies with Outlook.

    Bollywood Talkies, is a show where Bollywood biggies are in discussion with Mitrajeet Bhattacharya. The title sets the tone and defined coordinates. The first talk with Neeraj Pandey was phenomenal. Mitrajeet raised right set of logically flowing open-ended questions. The conversation allowed Neeraj to sketch the story in his own style.

     

    Kabir Khan was the next guest. Expectations were high. Everyone waiting for his upcoming film – ’83’. The show was okay. And then last week my current favourite Taapsee Pannu was the guest.

     

    Now, I was watching because of the guest, and it did not matter who the host was. The show kept me engaged. Keep the good thing going!

     

    Streaming with Sonal Dabral.

    This one totally sucked me in.  Streaming with Sonal Dabral. For me, it was a semi-professional class. There was innovation/solution finding, passion and detail in work discussed. Professionally and personally, it was worth my time. The guest and host were absolutely comfortable in their shared space. The discussion smooth and straight. No pressure of time. It was like having someone for a cup of tea. The guest had complete freedom in term of time and space. The presenter only waited like a pinball player, keeping the ball in play without interfering with the narration. It was a terrific two episodes, and then I missed the next episode. Think I will be back watching the next one.

     

    All three talkshows have been promising. They do overlap in terms of content and audience, and that is something the host have to look at. The guest list and sequencing will impact the success of these brands.

     

    I will preferably prioritise Sonal Dabral over Mitrajit Bhattachary and Raj Nayak in that order. I know I will lose interest when the show starts being restrictive in style and probe. Remember I am trading my time with content. This is my current choice and is completely biased by the guest the show has.

     

    Well, I will listen to anyone talking with Javad Akhtar, Naseeruddin Shah, Rajkumar Rao, Sunny Leone, KK Menon, Kangana Ranaut, Deepika Padukone, Mahesh Bhat and Aayushman Khurana. I have another list across creative fields and in politics maybe one or two.

     

    We all know the biases our choices, past experience and future expectations. They must exist for us to be human. But, still, if we have a terrible experience in webinars, we must evaluate our choices and decision-making processes.

     

    Sanjeev Kotnala is a senior business strategist and educator. He writes weekly for MxMIndia. Sometimes, like this week, even more. His views here are personal

     

  • The credo of House of Cheer is: Create, Curate and Consult

    Raj Nayak will Create, Curate & Consult at ‘House of Cheer’

    By A Correspondent

    Raj Nayak
    Raj Nayak

    Ever since he announced his departure from Viacom18 as Chief Operating Officer, there has been much speculation about where veteran mediaperson Raj Nayak would be headed next. Will it be a rival entertainment network, a global OTT major or a software production house.

     

    In the last few months though it has emerged that he would be getting into his own. But, then, there was also a possibility of a ‘kahaani mein twist’.

     

    But on Monday, September 2 morning, he announced via Twitter his new enterprise: House of Cheer. Nayak is a popular on Twitter with his handle @rajcheerfull.

     

    Athough he has asked us at MxMIndia to hold on for a formal interview, the credo of House of Cheer is: Create, Curate and Consult. That, in a sense, indicates a fairly large scope of operations. Guess one will have to watch for the next announcement from Nayak to know more.

  • 21st Century Fox president Uday Shankar, Sony Pictures CEO NP Singh and Viacom18 COO Raj Nayak participated in the discussion

    Broadcast captains defend need for ratings at India TV conclave

    By A Correspondent

     

    “You cannot take out mass from ‘mass media’, because then there will be no media left”, said Uday Shankar, President of 21st Century Fox and former chairman and CEO of Star India at “TV Ka Dum”, a daylong conclave organised by India TV in Mumbai last weekend.

     

    Participating in a panel debate with Raj Nayak, COO of Viacom-18 and N P Singh, CEO of Sony Pictures Networks, Shankar said: “Television shows are made to get ratings, because the viewers are the ultimate arbiters. TV shows are not made for private viewing. Whether TV shows, newspapers or films, unless the masses read or watch them, you cannot judge their popularity,” adding: “Ratings are only the output to judge the content that is produced. Ratings is the sum of how many number of people watched a particular show. No astrologer can predict the ratings of a show. Producers are interested only in what viewers would like to watch or know, whether it is horror, comedy or love story.”

     

    Uday Shankar

    On the issue of why more and more TV shows based on superstition and horror are being produced, Shankar said: “There are serious TV shows too, like Satyamev Jayate, but to cater to a nation of 125 crore people, you cannot have a single size boot. One has to make shows according to the size of the foot of different types of people.”

     

    Reasoned Shankar: “If a car or bicycle manufacturer can want more and more people to buy vehicles,  then why not a TV producer can want more and more people to watch the show. There is nothing wrong in it.” On naysayers, Shankar said: “Some vested interests, including some politicians, do not like to watch certain TV shows. My answer is: if the people of our country have become more conscious and they are asking questions from those in power, it is not because of consciousness spread by the political class. TV programmes, whether entertainment or news, have spread awareness among the people.”

     

    Raj Nayak

    Said Viacom18 COO Raj Nayak: “My question is why do those who raise objections watch TV programmes that are negative? If some TV shows get good numbers it is because they are in demand. But one should also know that people watch shows like Satyamev Jayate, Balika Vadhu, Shakti (on transgenders), Udaan (on bonded labour). These shows entertain and also try to bring about social changes,” adding: “The Star Plus show Saathiya was on women empowerment, and shows like these educate people. Shows are made to care to different tastes of viewers. If more people watch the TV show Naagin, let me say, television did not create Naagin. Already there were four Bollywood films on Naagin.

     

    Nayak added: “Television and cinema reflect what is happening in society, they reflect what people want. Whenever we launch a new show, we never look at the TRP. No channel makes shows after watching TRPs. Shows are made only when there is good content. TRP is only a byproduct. Of course, at the end of day, the channels want TRPs because, after all, we have to run our company.”

     

    NP Singh

    And this is what NP Singh, CEO of Sony Pictures Networks, said: “I agree that television is an important medium for creating social impact.  Our shows did create a positive impact on society. Kaun Banega Crorepati is a very powerful and successful format, and its success was a given. It is a vehicle to create a positive and social change impact.

     

    We showcased stories of small town people whose work inspire others. That is why we decided that we will show the life journey of KBC participants so that it can inspire viewers.”

     

    Asked by hosts Maniesh Paul and Charul Malik as to why TV shows are pulled off the air abruptly by GEC networks, Shankar replied: ” It’s natural that when viewers do not like a show, it is pulled off the air. What can we do? We are not running an autocratic regime where shows will continue to run by government diktat, even if viewers like it or not. Here you have to respect the wishes of the people. For us, shows are a commercial enterprise. If viewers do not watch the show, how can we sell it (to advertisers)?

  • He joined the jv in April 2011

    Viacom18 confirms Raj Nayak exit. To stay on till Feb 2019

    By A Correspondent [updated]

     

    Inarguably one of the most high profile names in the Indian television business, Raj Nayak has decided to move on from Viacom18. He has been Chief Operating Officer from May 2017 after having helmed Hindi General Entertainment Channel Colors as CEO since he joined the joint venture in April 2011. In September 2018, he was entrusted with the responsibility of revenues of the Viacom18 network.

    In an official statement released to the media on Tuesday evening, Viacom18 confirmed the departure of  Nayak. Speaking about the development, Sudhanshu Vats – Group CEO and MD Designate, Viacom18 said,: “Raj is one of the most admired leaders in the media and entertainment industry.  While on one hand, it is our loss to see a committed and capable leader leave, on the other, it is reassuring to know that he will always keep Viacom18’s flag flying high. On a personal level, I would like to thank Raj for partnering me as Viacom18 scaled newer heights. On behalf of everyone at Viacom18, I’d like to wish Raj all the very best for his future endeavours.”

    Speaking about his journey at Viacom18, Nayak said: “The last seven-and-a-half years at Viacom18 have been most exciting, challenging and rewarding. I have a wonderful team and they helped propel the company to new heights. The Viacom18 leadership has always been supportive and for that, I will always be grateful. These are exciting times for the media industry, the pace of change is remarkable, and I feel energised about the opportunity to do something new in this new landscape.”

    Nayak will be serving at Viacom18 till February, 2019.

    So where’s he moving to? An entrepreneurial venture yet again or another broadcast network. There have been rumours of his moving to helm Sony Pictures Network, a broadcaster that can do with a refresh in strategy. The top job at Discovery Network has also fallen vacant but the affair with running a Hindi GEC was shortlived. There is also a player like Netflix which is currently without an India head. A lot of this is based on what’s in the air, and we await a confirmation of his resignation from Viacom18 and some indicator of his next steps.

    Nayak – LS Nayak being his official name –  joined Viacom18 from Aidem Ventures, an entrepreneurial venture he set up as a media outsourcing and sales consuling firm. Earlier, he was CEO of NDTV Media for over seven year and before that he was Executive VP – Sales and Marketing at Star TV. At Star, where he worked for nearly a decade, he also did a stint at ESPN Star Sport from 1996 to ‘99.

    Nayak started his media career in print, having worked with stylish newspapers like Sunday Mail, The Indian Post and The Pioneer. Nayak has helmed various industry bodies and initiatives, the more recent being The Advertising Club where he helped raise the bar on the annual Goafest convention and awards.

  • Viacom18 confirms its COO's departure in a statement

    What next for Raj Nayak?

     

    By A Correspondent [updated]

     

    Inarguably one of the most high profile names in the Indian television business, Raj Nayak has reportedly decided to move on from Viacome18. He has been Chief Operating Officer from May 2017 after having helmed Hindi General Entertainment Channel Colors as CEO since he joined the joint venture in April 2011. In September 2018, he was entrusted with the responsibility of revenues of the Viacom18 network.

    We use the word reported, as we have no confirmation from either Nayak or Viacom18. But then there is no denial either. According to information MxMIndia has received, Nayak has indeed put in his papers. His last day at Viacom18 is not known.

    In an official statement released to the media on Tuesday evening, Viacom18 confirmed the departure of  Nayak. Speaking about the development, Sudhanshu Vats – Group CEO and MD Designate, Viacom18 said,: “Raj is one of the most admired leaders in the media and entertainment industry.  While on one hand, it is our loss to see a committed and capable leader leave, on the other, it is reassuring to know that he will always keep Viacom18’s flag flying high. On a personal level, I would like to thank Raj for partnering me as Viacom18 scaled newer heights. On behalf of everyone at Viacom18, I’d like to wish Raj all the very best for his future endeavours.”

    Speaking about his journey at Viacom18, Nayak said: “The last seven-and-a-half years at Viacom18 have been most exciting, challenging and rewarding. I have a wonderful team and they helped propel the company to new heights. The Viacom18 leadership has always been supportive and for that, I will always be grateful. These are exciting times for the media industry, the pace of change is remarkable, and I feel energised about the opportunity to do something new in this new landscape.”

    Nayak will be serving at Viacom18 till February, 2019.

    So where’s he moving to? An entrepreneurial venture yet again or another broadcast network. There have been rumours of his moving to helm Sony Pictures Network, a broadcaster that can do with a refresh in strategy. The top job at Discovery Network has also fallen vacant but the affair with running a Hindi GEC was shortlived. There is also a player like Netflix which is currently without an India head. A lot of this is based on what’s in the air, and we await a confirmation of his resignation from Viacom18 and some indicator of his next steps.

    Nayak – LS Nayak being his official name –  joined Viacom18 from Aidem Ventures, an entrepreneurial venture he set up as a media outsourcing and sales consuling firm. Earlier, he was CEO of NDTV Media for over seven year and before that he was Executive VP – Sales and Marketing at Star TV. At Star, where he worked for nearly a decade, he also did a stint at ESPN Star Sport from 1996 to ‘99.

    Nayak started his media career in print, having worked with stylish newspapers like Sunday Mail, The Indian Post and The Pioneer. Nayak has helmed various industry bodies and initiatives, the more recent being The Advertising Club where he helped raise the bar on the annual Goafest convention and awards.

     

     

  • The show is a culmination of months of thoughtful curation of sessions and performances

    Second edition of MTV India Music Summit announced

    By A Correspondent

     

    The second edition of the MTV India Music Summit will happen in Jaipur next week (Oct 12-14), allowing attendees to discover interesting sounds, engage in exchange of ideas and savour music through a series of concerts and conversations.

     

    Said Raj Nayak, COO, Viacom18: “Our association with MTV India Music Summit is reflective of our brand promise to offer differentiated, enriching and relevant content to our audience. In its second edition as well, we intend to identify, experience and bring forth versatile artists and varied sound forms that are deserving of global acclaim. We are happy to have trusted sponsors on board who also believe in the transcending power of music. I urge any and every one with the slightest musical bent to be a part of MTV India Music Summit and have an experience of a lifetime.”

     

    Speaking about the Summit, Prasoon Joshi, who is playing the role of a mentor to the summit: “Right from its inception, Musiconcepts has been working hard to create a platform to bring India’s diverse musical heritage together – a showcase like no other which allows for free-flowing conversations, debates, exchange of views and a joint celebration of our musical heritage. Raymond presents MTV India Music Summit is the culmination of months of thoughtful curation of sessions and performances. A truly immersive musical experience, the summit promises to have everything from Sunrise concerts, to Baikthakis, to Jugalbandis, to riffs and jams, Sundowner alaaps and much more!”

     

    Added Mala Sekhri, co-founder of Musiconcepts: “The richness of the content that we have for Raymond presents MTV India Music Summit is evident from our pick of topics, genres and artists. Each session has been carefully curated to highlight a particular aspect of Indian music. I’m sure the audiences will appreciate our effort as they get to witness the likes of Shujaat Khan, Usha Uthup, Kailash Kher, Dr. L Subramaniam, Shankar Mahadevan, Bhimsen Joshi, Suresh Wadkar… and many more stalwarts of Indian music, performing life and engaging in lively discussion and debate about music.” A spokesperson for the organisers clarified that in the case of Bhimsen Joshi, who passed away in 2011, it will be a tribute.

     

    Said Gautam Hari Singhania, CMD, Raymond Group: “Our long-term partnership with India Music Summit strategically binds in our vision of nurturing, promoting and curating different forms of national art and craft in diverse fields like khadi, sports, music and cinema.”

     

     

  • Nayak will be recognized for his excellence in leadership, vision and distinguished services of leaders in the IAA

    IAA to felicitate Raj Nayak with ‘Champion Award’

    By A Correspondent

     

    Viacom18 COO Raj Nayak is being felicitated at the global level. At the annual International Advertising Association (IAA) Inspire awards to be held at Bucharest next week (on October 2) with advertising and marketing leaders from all over the world in attendance, Nayak who is also a past president of IAA India,will be felicitated with the ‘Champion Award’. Nayak will be recognised for his excellence in leadership, vision and distinguished services of leaders in the IAA and his contributions to advancing the IAA and communications in the worldwide marketing communications industry.

     

    Janak Sarda

    The IAA Inspire award will also recognise Janak Sarda, Joint Managing Director Deshdhoot Group of Publications with the Young Leader Award for excellence in contributing leadership and services in the IAA Young Professionals arena and creating dynamics in marketing communications.

     

     

    Raj Nayak

    Speaking about the felicitation of Raj Nayak, IAA India Chapter President, Ramesh Narayan said: “I am really overjoyed to announce this news. Having worked closely in the IAA with Raj Nayak I have been a witness to his dynamism, his receptivity to ideas, and his capacity to contribute to anything that furthers the cause of marketing communications in India. He drove and launched the prestigious IAA “Lighting a Billion Lives Campaign” which set the tone to provide solar lighting in millions of dark homes across the country. He also played a major role in the rolling out and nurturing the prestigious IAA leadership Awards for marketing and business excellence which has grown enormously over the last six years. This award is an honor not just for Raj but also for the entire communications industry in the country.”

     

    On Janak Sarda receiving the award, Narayan added: “Janak Sarda has played a solid role in spreading the message of marketing and communications to the younger generation of professionals which he himself represents so well. His contribution is actually a sign of the larger role one can expect from him in the years to come. I wish him well.”