Krishnan Kutty

CEO

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India25 yrs 6 mos experience

Most Likely To SwitchHighly Stable

Key Highlights

Led launch of India's first HD Network.
Managed a portfolio of 18 channels across multiple languages.
Drove significant revenue growth in a challenging market.

Stackforce AI infers this person is a Media Executive with expertise in content strategy and distribution management.

Contact

Skills

Core Skills

Business StrategyContent ManagementDistribution StrategyConsumer Strategy

Other Skills

Strategic PlanningConsumer InsightTeam ManagementBusiness TransformationMarketing StrategyBrand ManagementBroadcastDistribution StrategiesMedia PlanningProject PlanningMedia BuyingCompetitive AnalysisMarket ResearchDigital MarketingResearch

About

I am an experienced media professional who over the last 25 years has been a part of and shaped some of the most exciting developments in the Media industry - I current head Disney STAR's South India and Maharastra business for TV and Digital. We have leadership in TV and Digital in 4 out of the 5 markets . - I am responsible for a portfolio which spans 18 channels and Disney plus Hotstar content in three languages. - My responsibilities encompass across content , marketing and revenue verticals -I have experiences in turning around business and deivering large complex projects - My earlier assignment was the Head of Distribution for STAR India where I led a national sales vertical through an extremely complex and dynamic industry environment. - I led the team that launched India's first HD Network. - I have extensive experience in driving both consumer and revenue strategy

Experience

Disney star

7 roles

Head-Business and Content for South India and Maharashtra

Promoted

Jun 2023 – Present · 2 yrs 10 mos

Heading Disney Star business and content for linear tv and Disney plus Hotstar for the 4 southern states and Maharashtra .
Responsible for driving P&L
oversees programming marketing and sales
creation of original content for Disney Plus Hotstar
member of Disney Stars India leadership team

Strategic PlanningBusiness StrategyConsumer InsightTeam ManagementBusiness TransformationMarketing Strategy+12

EVP and Head Star India and DIsney for Tamil, Malayalam and Marathi ( TV+ OTT)

Oct 2021 – Jun 2023 · 1 yr 8 mos

Business Head- STAR Vijay

Promoted

Jan 2017 – Nov 2021 · 4 yrs 10 mos

Business Head- STAR Vijay
Head of the 2nd Largest Tamil Channel in the country
Oversees programming , sales and marketing
Manage a team of 300 people

Business Head-English cluster

Feb 2016 – Dec 2016 · 10 mos

Head STAR India's English Cluster ( Entertainment and Movies)
A business focused on creating great consumer value for the top end consumer of the country
Manage content ,marketing and revenue for a portfolio of 9 channels
Manage acquisitions and relationships with studio partners such as Disney, Fox, HBO and Sony
Creation of English Language Indian production such as Koffee with Karan

Head of Distribution

Apr 2015 – Feb 2016 · 10 mos

Headed a revenue vertical managing a team of 100+ operating across the country
Managed the business through an extremely challenging regulatory environment.
Rolled out an Industry defining transparent pricing scheme.
Closed contracts with the top DTH players which were the largest value contracts ever signed in Indian Distribution industry history.
As an industry first rolled out a comprehensive communication and activation plan to grow HD subs. It resulted in new HD subs growing by 2.5X over the previous 3 year average.
Engaged with the TRAI ( Broadcast regulator) on diverse agendas such as digitisation and pricing regulation

Executive Vice president: Distribution

Promoted

Jan 2009 – Mar 2015 · 6 yrs 2 mos

Role : Defining Distribution Strategy and Execution of the Reach agenda for STAR India
Set STAR India's strategy with regards to pricing, regulation and reach.
Drove up the reach and availability of STAR channels in small town markets ( Below 100k pop)
Managed STAR India's relationship in its distribution JV with Zee (Mediapro)
Managed the transition of the ESPN Star Sports Distribution business to STAR after's Star India's Acquistion.
Defining the Distribution revenue strategy for the bid for BCCI rights which STAR India won
Managed the transition of the Distribution function back into STAR India after the split of Media Pro
Worked with Star India's legal and regulatory team to help define regulatory and litigation strategy

Vice president-Research and On air

Jan 2005 – Dec 2008 · 3 yrs 11 mos

Head of Research and On Air
Consumer Understanding for various segments for STAR India's Bouquet of channels
Planning of program schedules and promotion schedules to maximize market share for the network
Providing content cues on the basis of consumer research.
Content and Consumer planning for launch of New Channels ( STAR Jalsha and Pravah)

Hutch

Sr Manager

May 2004 – Dec 2004 · 7 mos · Hyderabad Area, India

Head of Corporate Sales for Hutch ( Now Vodafone) for the Andhra Pradesh Circle
Led a 4 x growth in sales over a 8 month period in monthly acquisitions

Ndtv

Sr Manager

Dec 2002 – Apr 2003 · 4 mos · Mumbai Area, India

Research and planning for the launch of NDTV branded channels

Mindshare

Planning Manager

May 1999 – Dec 2002 · 3 yrs 7 mos · Mumbai Area, India

1) Worked channel planner for many of Unilever's largest brands including Axe, Rexona Deodrant and Pepsodent
2) Led the roll out Communication Channel Planning Initiative Across Unilever in both India and Sri Lanka