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Tag: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd

  • Decision is in line with the resource optimisation approach of the company, notes communique

    Zee assigns additional charge of music to Umesh Bansal

    Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd has assigned additional charge of the music business to Umesh Bansal. This is in addition to his current role as the Chief Business Officer of the movies business.  Bansal will continue to report into the MD & CEO, Punit Goenka. The decision, notes a communique, is in line with the resource optimization approach of the Company and aims to enhance the synergistic capabilities of the movies and music business to drive the growth of the company.

    Anurag Bedi who has led the music business so far will be assigned new responsibility.

  • Proposed by MD & CEO Punit Goenka

    Zee Entertainment streamlines org structure

    The Board of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd has approved the streamlined organisation structure proposed by the MD and CEO Punit Goenka. The objective is to nurture collaboration and leverage synergies amongst the core business segments which include Broadcast, Digital, Movies and Music.

    The composition of the new structure approved by the Board is as follows:

    • Punit Goenka, MD & CEO will assume direct charge of the critical business verticals including the Domestic Broadcast Business. The following leaders will report directly into the MD & CEO:
      • Siju Prabhakaran, who has led the South cluster of channels, will take additional responsibility of the West cluster, further fortifying the performance in the mentioned markets.
      • Samrat Ghosh, who has led the East cluster of channels, will take additional responsibility of North & Premium cluster.
      • Ruchir Tiwari will continue to lead the Hindi Movies cluster, with a focus on quality entertainment.
      • Vishnu Shankar will continue to lead &TV and the FTA segment.
      • Ashish Sehgal will be responsible for Integrated Advertisement Sales for the Broadcast and Digital business. In this enhanced role, for the digital business revenue, Sehgal will also report into Amit Goenka (for the Broadcast business revenue he will continue to report into Goenka).

    Meanwhile, Amit Goenka will continue to lead the digital business for the company, taking direct charge of original content (including movies). He will assume additional charge of the international broadcast business, enterprise technology and broadcast operations and engineering, leveraging synergies between the business segments to drive higher growth. In this role, he will continue to report into the MD & CEO.

    • Leveraging his domain expertise and understanding of content production, strategy, movies acquisition and syndication, Umesh Bansal will lead the movies business for the company. In this role, he will report into the MD & CEO.
    • Anurag Bedi will continue to lead the music business and enhance the vertical’s contribution to the Company’s bottom-line. He will continue to report into the MD & CEO.

    All Corporate Functions will continue to report into the MD & CEO. The new structure is effective immediately.

    Said R Gopalan, Chairman, Zee said: “The Board has reviewed and approved the lean organisation structure proposed by the MD & CEO, which aims at streamlining the organisation and improving efficiencies across the business. The strong and capable set of leaders identified for each core business segment in the lateral structure, are highly reflective of the Company’s deep bench strength and ensure that the Company remains well-positioned for the future. We are confident that a lean team under the leadership of Punit, will enable the Company to achieve its set goals and priorities for the future, further generating higher value for the shareholders.”

    Added Goenka: “In line with our approach towards maintaining a sharp focus on profitability, the new structure encompasses a more resilient team for the organisation to ensure agility and collaboration. Through this restructuring exercise, our aim has been to build an independent and enterprising team led by an experienced set of leaders to drive the company forward. I look forward to working closely with the teams to chart robust growth and achieve our strategic priorities for the Company.”

  • To support Generative AI startups

    Zee & Nasscom forge partnership

    By Our Staff

     

    Nitin Mittal, President – Technology & Data, ZEE and Ankit Bose, Head of Nasscom AI

    Entertainment conglomerate Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd has partnered with software and services companies apex body National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom*) for its recently-launched Generative AI Foundry programme, that aims to foster innovation and growth in the start-up ecosystem. Through the strategic partnership, Zee’s Technology and Innovation Centre will primarily focus on enabling and supporting co-piloted generative AI solutions for India’s media and entertainment ecosystem.

     

    Said Nitin Mittal, President – Technology and Data, Zee: “We are delighted to embark upon this exciting journey in collaboration with Nasscom, aiming to shape the future of India’s AI community. The synergy between our endeavours, Nasscom’s commitment to nurturing tech startups, and Zee’s leadership in media innovation signifies more than just a convergence of minds—it represents a fusion of futuristic visions poised to define the industry’s next chapter. As a frontrunner in India’s M&E ecosystem, this partnership stands as a testament to our commitment towards elevating consumer experience by leveraging digital technologies. At Zee, we believe that collaborations of this nature are instrumental in propelling the growth of startups and fostering innovation in the India’s AI landscape.”

     

    Added Ankit Bose, Head of Nasscom AI: “The partnership between both organisations is a significant one for the Generative AI startups. It is heartening to witness excellent initiatives from the industry to collaborate with these startups. The innovative solutions possess the potential to transform various sectors including media and entertainment (M&E).”

     

    *Ed: Since December 2022, Nasscom writes its name entirely in lower case. Hence: nasscom

     

  • Approval marks yet another firm and positive step ahead in the merger completion process, notes communique

    99.99% Zee shareholders approve merger with Sony

    By Our Staff

     

    Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd.  has informed that the company’s equity shareholders have approved the proposed merger of ZEEL and Bangla Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. with and into Culver Max Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. (formerly Sony Pictures Networks India Pvt. Ltd.)

     

    The resolution put forth during the meeting pertaining to the proposed merger was whole-heartedly supported by 99.99% of ZEEL’s equity shareholders, notes a communique, adding:  The approval marks yet another firm and positive step forward, in the overall merger completion process.

     

    Said Punit Goenka, MD & CEO, ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd: “On behalf of all the Board members and management of ZEEL, I would like to thank the equity shareholders of the Company for recognising the value-accretive opportunities the proposed merger will deliver to all stakeholders. The continued trust and overwhelming support by our equity shareholders towards the resolution of the Composite Scheme of Arrangement, further strengthen our abilities to consistently deliver higher value as we move forward in this process.”

     

  • The Composite Scheme of Arrangement remains subject to applicable regulatory approvals

    CCI grants approval to Zee-Sony merger

    By Our Staff

     

    Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (ZEEL) has received an approval from the Competition Commission of India (CCI) for its proposed merger with Culver Max Entertainment Private Limited (formerly Sony Pictures Networks India Private Limited).

     

    In its official communication issued, the CCI has granted the approval in Phase-1 after evaluating the official legal and economic submissions made by the Company. Considering the immense value which the proposed merger will generate for all its stakeholders, the Company has offered the necessary remedies in accordance with the regulator’s guidelines. Detailed order is awaited.

     

    In its order pronounced on September 7, 2022, the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) had advised the Company to convene and conduct the meeting with its shareholders on 14th October 2022, to seek their approval for the proposed merger.  The Composite Scheme of Arrangement remains subject to applicable regulatory and other approvals.

     

  • Zee to be one-stop TV destination for ICC men's tournaments in India

    Zee & Disney Star sign agreement for ICC cricket

    By Our Staff

     

    Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd and Disney Star have signed a strategic licensing agreement. Disney Star will license the television broadcasting rights of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Men’s and Under 19 (U-19) global events for a period of four years, to Zee. Disney Star will continue to be the exclusive home for streaming of all ICC tournaments through its digital platform – Disney+ Hotstar. ICC has in principle approved this arrangement.

     

    This association enables Zee to be the exclusive television rights holder of ICC men’s events, including the coveted ICC Men’s T20 World Cup (2024, 2026), ICC Men’s Champions Trophy (2025), and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup (2027) along with key ICC U-19 events.

     

    Speaking about the strategic development, Punit Goenka, MD & CEO, ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. said: “This is a first-of-its-kind partnership in the Indian media & entertainment landscape, and this association with Disney Star reflects our sharp, strategic vision for the sports business in India. As a one-stop television destination for ICC men’s cricket events until 2027, ZEE will leverage the strength of its network to offer a compelling experience for its viewers and a great return on investment for its advertisers. Long-term profitability and value-generation continue to be our areas of focus across the business, and we will always evaluate all the necessary steps that will enable us to make sports a compelling value proposition for the Company. We look forward to working with ICC and Disney Star, to enable this strategic offering for our television viewers in India.”

     

    Added K Madhavan, Country Manager & President, Disney Star: “By securing the IPL television broadcast rights for 2023-27 and now opting to retain only the digital rights for ICC tournaments for 2024-27, we have in place a balanced and robust cricket offering for our audiences across linear and digital. Over the years, Disney Star has strengthened the appeal of international cricket in India, enabling it to reach diverse age groups and cultural demographics across all parts of the country. As India’s leading media house, we will continue to do so with our strong portfolio of cricket properties across television and digital.”

     

  • To further strengthen its creative offering

    Zee launches Zee Brand Works

    By Our Staff

     

    Zee Entertainment has introduced Zee Brand Works with the objective of offering brands a “holistic and wide range of branding, sales augmentation, customer acquisition, new launches, content creation, influencer and integration solutions”.

     

    Said Ashish Sehgal, Chief Growth Officer, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd: “As a pioneer in the Indian media landscape, we have always had a finger on the pulse of the Indian viewer. This has helped us to develop a deep understanding of the myriad mini Bharat’s which exist within this great nation, each with its own set of norms, sensibilities and traditions. Blending this understanding of the Indian consumer with the marketing requirements of our clientele to develop bespoke brand solutions has always been a hallmark of Zee.”

     

    Added Rajiv Bakshi, Chief Operations Officer – Revenue, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd.: “Consumers are also increasingly rewarding authenticity and personalization along with purpose-driven brand alignment, Forging a deep emotional connect and occupying a greater share of mind is a primary challenge for both existing and emerging brands. ZEE Brand Works will further boost our endeavour to build brands resonance and sales in HSM and regional market clusters by employing the team’s ingenious creativity and inherent consumer understanding With the onset of this journey, we are excited to partner with like-minded marketers and augment their growth strategies.”

     

  • For tech talent at its Technology and Innovation Centre in Bengaluru

    Zee to launch Metaverse Onboarding Programme

    By Our Staff

     

    Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL) has announced the launch of its Metaverse Onboarding Programme. The programme will induct 100+ campus graduates from top tech institutes at its Technology and Innovation Centre in Bengaluru. The centre is focused on building the metaverse platform by leveraging Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and relevant data models for its digital platforms.

     

    Speaking about the initiative, Amit Goenka, President – Digital Businesses & Platforms, Zee said: “At Zee’s Technology and Innovation Centre, we are imbibing a sharp strategic focus on enhancing our tech capabilities through a confluence of technology, data and talent. As we break new grounds and redefine entertainment by providing robust experiences across platforms, we are delighted to converge Zee’s collaborative and entrepreneurial culture in the physical and digital realms through an immersive environment such as the metaverse. We aim to provide intuitive experiences across all aspects of an individual’s consumption, creation and transactional journey, and the first-ever metaverse induction program at ZEE, will not only help enhance our employee experience by boosting innovation and productivity, but also our consumer experience by several notches.”

     

    Added Nitin Mittal, President – Technology & Data, Zee: “For over three decades, we have been a pioneer in breaking the norms of the industry and creating path-breaking content for more than 1.3 billion viewers across the globe. Our focus now remains on building capability for ZEE by leveraging technology to provide our consumers with extraordinary entertainment experiences. Our quest is to shape the next chapter of India’s Media & Entertainment Industry and the Metaverse Induction Program is yet another major step in that direction. Inducting, nurturing and retaining the right talent is key to any organization’s success and we are committed to giving a world class experience to our tech enthusiasts right from day one.”

     

  • Onboards 700+ tech experts to build cutting-edge, world-class products

    Zee unveils Technology & Innovation Centre in BLR

    By Our Staff

     

    Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd has announced the launch of its Technology and Innovation Centre in Bengaluru. The state-of-the-art facility was inaugurated by Karnataka Chief Minister . Basavaraj Bommai, in the presence of Amit Goenka, President – Digital Businesses & Platforms, Zee and Nitin Mittal, President – Technology & Data, Zee. The 80,000 feet centre will be the company’s epicentre to build a strong cohort of tech, data and talent.

     

    Said Mittal, President – Technology & Data, ZEE: “At the Tech & Innovation Centre, we are building ability for ZEE to leverage digital technologies to improve our reach and engage our customers anytime, anywhere across all devices. We have been a frontrunner in creating engaging content for more than 1.3 billion viewers and are currently focused on building Web 3.0 entertainment platforms. This Centre will build the metaverse future of ZEE including AR, VR, NFTs and relevant data models to our digital platforms.”

     

     

  • To enhance the corporate investor relations

    Zee appoints Mahesh Pratap Singh as Head of Investor Relations

    By Our Staff

     

    Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd has appointed Mahesh Pratap Singh to head Investor Relations, spearheading the engagement with the investor and analyst community.

     

    In this role, Singh will report into Ronit Gupta. President-Finance & Investor Relations, Zee, and will be based in Mumbai.

     

  • Thomas will be Chief Data Officer and report to Nitin Mittal

    Amrit Thomas to be CDO at Zee

    By Our Staff

     

    Amrit Thomas
    Amrit Thomas

    Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd has appointed Amrit Thomas as the Chief Data Officer to enhance its overall capabilities in data analytics across all aspects of decision-making.

     

    Thomas will report into Nitin Mittal, President Technology & Data, Zee and will be based out of the Technology & Innovation Centre in Bengaluru. The appointment is effective immediately.

     

    In his previous stint, Thomas was CEO, Strategic Advisor and Investor for a retail-tech start-up. He was also associated with Diageo for 13 years, where he was responsible for the digital and marketing transformation of the organisation. His previous stints include Hindustan Unilever, where he led the western region personal product sales team and later, the beverages business of the Company. He also spearheaded a direct- to-consumer start-up venture setting up and scaling phone-commerce home delivery service.

     

  • The collaboration to build robust original content for Zee5 in Hindi

    Zee5 inks partnership with Applause

    By Our Staff

     

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by ZEE5 (@zee5)

    Zee Entertainment’s OTT platfom Zee5 has entered into a strategic partnership with content and IP studio Applause Entertainment, a venture of Aditya Birla Group, for a multi-show association.

     

    Commenting on the partnership, Punit Misra, President – Content & International Markets, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd, said, “Zee5’s content design principles centre around intimately knowing our viewers and building a bouquet of engaging and entertaining offerings for our multiple consumer cohorts. While Consumer Intimacy is at the heart of our content creation philosophy, our Content Creator Partners are the other crucial pillar in our approach. We are excited about our partnership with one of the leading content creators of our country – Sameer Nair & Applause Entertainment. With our shared belief in consumer obsession, coupled with their unique content creation capabilities, I am confident that we will win the hearts of millions.”

     

    Added Sameer Nair, CEO, Applause Entertainment: “Over the past four years, Applause has created a diverse slate of content and explored stories across genres, languages and geographies. We are thrilled that our first outing with Zee5 is with Kaun Banegi Shikarwati, a light-hearted, heart-warming dramedy that is both quirky and delightful, and boasts a stellar cast of actors. We look forward to a long and fruitful partnership with Zee5 and help contribute in a small way to their global ambition.”