MxMIndia

Tag: Tarun Katial

  • He joins as Chief Business Officer

    Avi Kumar joins Tarun Katial at Coto

    By Our Staff

     

    Avi Kumar
    Avi Kumar

    Coto, the social community app exclusively for women, brings on board Avi Kumar as Chief Business Officer. He will report to former boss Tarun Katial, Founder and CEO, Coto.

     

    Commenting on the appointment, Katial said: “Avi has an earned reputation as a game changer, brand innovator, agile marketer, and proficient leader. He has the desired skill set mix that allows him to expertly comprehend consumer needs and requirements and build lasting brand relevance while driving business outcomes. His entrepreneurial outlook will go a long way in fortifying coto’s commitment to delivering a safe online space for women.”

     

    Added Kumar on his new remit: “I am excited at the opportunity of joining the senior executive team at coto and working collectively towards building a responsible virtual environment for women. coto brings together leaders of today and tomorrow and enables and empowers them to be the changemakers. I will focus on driving business growth, consumer engagement, and relationship management as part of the larger strategy. It would be an incredible opportunity to unlock incremental value for our customers and partners by curating richer and more immersive experiences.”

     

  • Called Serendipity Media Technology, it is an AI-powered content creation platform

    Tarun Katial & Keertan Adyanthaya launch new venture

    By Our Staff

     

    Tarun Katial
    Tarun Katial
    Keertan Adyanthaya
    Keertan Adyanthaya

    Tarun Katial, former CEO Zee5, and Keertan Adyanthaya, former Head of Content & Communication for The Walt Disney Company APAC in Hong Kong, have come together to launch Serendipity Media Technology, an Artificial Intelligence-powered platform that “empowers writers, producers and entertainment platforms with relevant and suitable content”.

     

    The platform, notes a communique, will initially be launched in India and then rapidly roll out to global markets like the USA and UK. “Serendipity Media Technology will play an instrumental role in the end-to-end story evaluation by providing writers with information and intelligence that helps them create content that finds a right fit with the broadcasters or platforms, enabling producers to filter content as per the relevancy and provides in depth understanding of audience psyche to the platforms.”

     

    Commenting on the launch, Katial said: “We are delighted to announce the launch of our new venture. Our goal is to provide writers with tools that ease the burden of content creation through a structured approach and AI assistance.”

     

    Added Adyanthaya: “We are excited about creating an all-inclusive platform that not only empowers and enables content creation, but understands audiences better. It will help us deliver sharply defined content with a higher success ratio for everyone in the value chain.”

     

  • The OCCP signatories list stands now at 17

    IAMAI’s ‘Universal Self-Regulation Code’ onboards SonyLIV & Lionsgate

    By A Correspondent

     

    The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) has announced SonyLIV and Lionsgate as the latest amngst the leading Online Curated Content Providers (OCCPs) in India to sign the Universal Self-Regulation Code. The code has garnered support from the industry and has onboarded 15 OCCPs like Zee5, Viacom18, Disney Hotstar, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, MX Player, Jio Cinema, Eros Now, Alt Balaji, Arre, HoiChoi, Hungama, Shemaroo, Discovery Plus and Flickstree.

     

    Said Tarun Katial, Chair, Digital Entertainment Committee, IAMAI: “I am overwhelmed with the support received on the code and delighted to welcome SonyLIV and Lionsgate as the 16th and 17th leading OCC providers in India to sign the ‘Universal Self-Regulation Code’. We already have India’s leading OTT providers as the signatories and expect more players to join the initiative in the coming weeks.”

     

    Added Ashok Nambissan, General Counsel, Sony Pictures Networks India: “We are delighted to join the league of signatories of the Universal Self-Regulation Code. We look to working closely with the IAMAI and other OTT players to get broader acceptance for the Code as well as the Government’s support for the industry’s efforts at self-regulation.”

     

    The Code is effective from August 15, 2020 and allows OCCPs to comply with all the guidelines in a time-bound manner. Each signatory to the code has agreed to appoint an external advisor as part of the grievance redressal mechanism within 60 days from the launch of the code – that September 4, 2020.

     

     

  • Viacom 18 Digital Ventures COO Gourav Rakshit has been named Vice Chairman, succeeding Uday Sodhi, Senior Partner, Kurate Digital Consulting

    Tarun Katial to chair IAMAI’s Digital Entertainment Committee

    By A Correspondent

     

    Zee5 India CEO Tarun Katial has been appointed chairman of Digital Entertainment Committee of the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI). He takes over from Ajit Mohan, Managing Director, Facebook India. Viacom 18 Digital Ventures COO Gourav Rakshit has been named Vice Chairman, succeeding Uday Sodhi, Senior Partner, Kurate Digital Consulting.

     

    The Digital Entertainment Committee at IAMAI represents all prominent members of the video on demand and audio-on-demand companies such as Netflix, Zee5, Prime Video, Hotstar, Sony Liv, Viacom18, RJio Studios, MX Player, Hungama, Discovery, Hoichoi, Arre, Hooq, Gaana, Saavn, Flickstree among others.

     

    On his appointment, Katial said: “The Digital Entertainment sector, similar to the rest of the economy, is going through challenging times due to COVID-19. At IAMAI, our immediate task at hand would be to seek support from the Government, policymakers, local authorities to resume production activities at the earliest. This would go a long way in supporting various supply chain linkages, citizen’s livelihood, and contribution to the national exchequer.”

     

  • Nayyar was until recently CEO India & South East Asia at Havas Media Group

    Anita Nayyar, others join Zee5

    By A Correspondent

     

    Anita Nayyar

    With a vision to augment its growth trajectory in the adech space, Zee5 has strengthened the team by on boarding three industry veterans led by Anita Nayyar, ex-CEO of Havas Media Group, India & South East Asia, Jayesh Easwaramony, an entrepreneur and expert in the tech and media world known for his ability to scale businesses and. Dhruvadeep Roy, who formerly was the Head of Digital platforms at DAZN.

     

    These new hires along with the current ZEE5 team will be spearheading and be responsible for paving the next phase of ZEE5’s advertising business growth.

     

    Nayyar, in her new role as Head of Customer Strategy and Relationships, will help build the agency-partner ecosystem for Zee5’s India business. On the other hand, Easwaramony joins as a consultant for adtech to drive all advertising, user data and audience related initiatives, right from strategy to implementation with vendors and product teams. Prior to this, Easwaramony was responsible to drive the APAC business of Softbank invested advertising firm InMobi for several years.

     

    Meanwhile Roy joins as Director Product – Adtech. Earlier, he has led the platforms and product bsiness at DAZN Sport Streaming Service across the UK, US, Canada and APAC in his previous avatar.

     

    Commenting on the new appointments, Tarun Katial, CEO, Zee5 India said: “I am ecstatic to share that ZEE5 has already taken a step towards flagging-off its next phase of growth by welcoming three acclaimed leaders of the industry to lead the advertising tech business. I welcome Anita, Jayesh and Dhruvadeep to the ZEE5 team and I am confident that their experience will further enable ZEE5 to achieve even greater heights. This current strengthening of our leadership team is line with a clear focus to build a robust digital advertising eco-system like no other.”

     

    Nayaar and Easwaramony will work closely with the recently hired Rajeev Dhal, Chief Revenue Officer.

     

     

  • Former Twitter India Business Head logs on to new role at Zee5

    Zee5 appoints @taranjeet24 as CRO & Biz Head – New Projects

    By A Correspondent

     

    Taranjeet Singh

    OTT platform Zee5 may have been a late entrant, but is galloping ahead and ramping up quick at all levels. It has now announced the appointment of Taranjeet Singh as Chief Revenue Officer & Business Head – New Projects.

     

    Commenting on the new appointment, Tarun Katial, CEO, Zee5 India said: “The consumption patterns of the Indian audience are rapidly evolving. Taranjeet’s extensive experience in the media sector across print, television and digital will hold us in good stead in the times to come. His robust track record and insights will go a long way in advancing ZEE5 India’s focus to achieve new milestones.”

     

    Said Singh on his new role: Engaging with the content consumer has been an exciting journey for me. The OTT space is definitely booming and working with a brand like Zee5 from the Zee Group, a media powerhouse is indeed an honour. Within months of launch, the brand is already No 2 in the OTT space and I am looking forward to joining the team to take it to newer heights.”

     

    Singh comes with extensive experience in the media and entertainment space. Prior to joining ZEE5, he was leading business for the Indian operations of Twitter. He has also worked in the past with BBC Worldwide, Outlook Publishing and The Pioneer amongst others.

  • At Zee5, Kumar has been tasked with leading the charge on the product function as also building on the expansion projects on the platform

    Rajneel Kumar joins Zee5 as Business Head

    By A Correspondent

     

    Zee5 India has announced the appointment of Rajneel Kumar as Business Head – Expansion Projects and Head of Products for the digital business of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd.

     

    At Zee5, Kumar has been tasked with leading the charge on the product function as also building on the expansion projects on the platform. Prior to joining Zee5 India, Kumar has worked with industry leaders including Viacom18 Media Pvt. Ltd., Balaji Telefilms, Mobile2Win Pvt. Ltd and so on, while also testing entrepreneurial waters.

     

    Commenting on the appointment, Tarun Katial, CEO – Zee5 India said: “This is a very exciting juncture of our journey at Zee5 India, and we are thrilled to have Rajneel join us to strengthen the team. He brings invaluable insights that will be instrumental in shaping our journey towards achieving leadership position in the entertainment space.”

     

     

  • Manish Karnatak, Head, Thwink Big, and Soela Joshi, Associate Vice President – IP along with their teams will work closely with Sunil to chart the progress of Thwink Big

    Sunil Kumaran back at Big FM as Country Head, Thwink Big

    By A Correspondent

     

    Sunil Kumaran

    Big FM has announced the appointment of Sunil Kumaran as Country Head, Thwink Big. Kumaran returns to Big to lead the network’s content studio and talent incubator, Thwink. His responsibility will involve scaling the group’s content studio business through development and creation of original content, talent incubation and strategic alliances.

     

     

    Tarun Katial

    Speaking about the new appointment, Tarun Katial, CEO, Big FM said: “In his past association with us, which was close to eightyears, Sunil’s exceptional domain expertise and passion for content played a key in the networks growth. It gives me immense pleasure to welcome him back to the organisation where he will effectively be taking charge and fuel the growth of our Content Studio – Thwink Big.”

     

    Speaking about his role, Kumaran said: “It is an extremely exciting space and I look forward to taking the group’s vision on content forward with Thwink Big.  We already have a highly driven and experienced team in place and they have been producing some fantastic work for brand.  The effort now will be to scale this manifold through innovations, fresh ideas, talent and publishing partnerships.”

     

    Manish Karnatak, Head, Thwink BIG, and Soela Joshi, Associate Vice President – IP along with their teams will work closely with Kumaran to chart the progress of Thwink BIG.

     

     

  • The Memorandum of Understanding envisages a close working relationship between the Radio and Advertising Agencies Associations through joint committees and standard procedures

    AROI & AAAI sign MoU to address business interests

    By A Correspondent

     

    The Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI)  and Association of Radio Operators for India (AROI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding last week that envisages a close working relationship between the radio players and Advertising Agencies Associations through joint committees and standard procedures. The alliance will enable them to make joint efforts for promoting advertising business on radio and develop and implement a credit control and collection mechanism with standard operating procedures to ensure best credit terms and timely collections.

     

    The MoU was signed by the Presidents of the respective associations, Nakul Chopra for AAAI and Anurradha Prasad Shukla for AROI.

     

    It may be noted that commercial radio currently entirely operates through over 310 FM radio stations in the country with about 70 more under operationalization. Another 700 more stations are expected to be auctioned by the Government of India over the next one year. Also, being the last entrant in the Indian media space, the strong ground presence and the vitality, efficacy and viability of radio (the only media that can be consumed while doing other activities) is only now being strongly realized by various advertisers and consumers.

     

    Said Tarun Katial, CEO, BIG FM on the MoU: “[It is a] landmark moment - AAAI and AROI sign the MOU on credit relationship for the benefit of all stakeholders. Thanks a lot Ashish Bhasin, Sam Balsara, Shashi Sinha, Abe Thomas, Anurradha Prasad for all your support – look forward to a much better working relationship.”

     

     

  • The client-facing direct business is being led by Shalini Dureja – National Business Director-Retail, SME & Government

    Big FM devises new content strategy with #SmarterFasterTogether

    By A Correspondent

     

    Big FM is fortifying its strength in being the pioneers of original content curators and customised client solutions/campaigns with a series of initiatives, informs a communique Since undertaking the #SmarterFasterTogether approach, sound production, integration of brand’s messaging, original content creation on-air and digital, innovative campaigns and more have witnessed dedicated centres and team at work to streamline and deliver a rich product, it adds.

     

    Speaking about the strategy, Tarun Katial, CEO, Big FM said: “As a network that has been a pioneer of various trends in the radio industry, Big FM continues to move ahead with the diligence of creating path-breaking content and provide enriched experience to its partners and audiences. The #SmarterFasterTogether approach defines the strategy of our network that is in line with the advancement of the media landscape and demands of the customers and stakeholders.”

     

    Meanwhile, Big FM aligned its teams into direct and indirect businesses. The client-facing direct business will be led by Shalini Dureja – National Business Director-Retail, SME & Government and Divya Singh – National Business Director – Corporate, National & KAM. The indirect business will be led by Aparna Kapoor – National Business Director- Agency.

     

     

  • Thwink Big will focus on talent incubation, development and creating original content

    Big FM launches content studio and talent incubator

    By A Correspondent

     

    Radio network Big FM has set up Thwink Big – a short-form video and audio talent incubator and content studio. Thwink will contribute towards making the brand future ready for catering to growing consumer and advertiser needs and changing media trends. It, notes a communique, encapsulates three core aspects that are at the centre of the network’s strategy – excellent music, outstanding story-telling and captivating social

     

    Spearheaded by Manish Karnatak, the studio consists of senior talent in both audio and video like Aditya Parwatkar who heads national programming for Big FM with diverse career experiences in the media industry and Vanshika Sharma who is a passionate storyteller with over 12 years of extensive programming experience with media outfits such as Voot. The respective Audio and Video Creative Directors along with Manish and the team dedicatedly work towards delivering end-to-end content solutions across radio and digital platforms for both audio and video formats.

     

    Commenting on the launch, Tarun Katial, CEO, Big FM said: “Thwink will be a strong pillar to our content marketing offering for consumers and advertisers. We have put together a team of experts who will curate marquee cutting-edge content across mediums – audio and video deployed on Radio and Digital and work closely with talent across genres. It will also serve as a go-to partner for advertisers for creating clutter breaking content, spikes and solutions. It will enable strategic innovation and creation of quality content with increased efficiency. Thwink is our vision for the future of content in the industry.”

     

    Speaking on the studio launch, Karnatak said: “It is really important to have a strong understanding of the consumers needs in the uncertain digital domain. At the same time, it is key to possess capabilities to deliver on those fronts. Thwink BIG acts as a one-stop-shop in accelerating production of innovative content to further expand our repertoire of offerings and cater to higher volumes of media consumption in today’s times. We thrive on digital content and our aim is to empower content creators to take their offering to the next level. We have already produced and delivered differentiated content and will continue to offer this for our customers and consumers.”

     

     

  • Malhotra has been associated with Big FM since inception as its Chief Revenue Officer, will be responsible for all sales, marketing, planning and service functions

    Praveen Malhotra appointed Chief Business Officer at BIG FM

    By A Correspondent

     

    Praveen Malhotra

    Big FM has elevated Praveen Malhotra as Chief Business Officer. Malhotra has been associated with the radio station network since inception as its Chief Revenue Officer and will now be responsible for all sales, marketing, planning and service functions.

     

    On her new role at Big FM, Malhotra said: “It has indeed been a pleasure to be a part of such an esteemed organization since the beginning. Having a natural flair for sales, I look forward to add more value to the firm with my abilities in managing large scale business operations.”

     

    On the development, Tarun Katial, CEO, Big FM said: “We are happy to on board Praveen who comes with a flourished experience and domain expertise. With her deep knowledge on our business, she will help us develop practices that will benefit in increasing business efficiency, manage costs effectively and deliver great services to our clients.”