Apr 2022 – Oct 2024 · 2 yrs 6 mos · On-site

• Responsible for 5 functions -
• 1. Corporate Strategy, Business Development and Partnerships
• 2. Revenue Strategy and Pricing
• 3. Digital Transformation
• 4. Broadcast Technology
• 5. Channel operations (Traffic and Scheduling)

Aug 2020 – Mar 2022 · 1 yr 7 mos · On-site

Apr 2019 – Oct 2024 · 5 yrs 6 mos · On-site

• Leading Corporate Planning & Strategy, Digital transformation, Broadcast & Technology and Revenue Assurance (Traffic and Scheduling) functions

May 2014 – Oct 2024 · 10 yrs 5 mos · On-site

• Leading the team tasked with growth, expansion, launching new brands across geographies & platforms and profitability improvement via strategic intervention
• Expanded the bouquet from 5 to 12 channels within 3 years of joining, led the projects right from conception, building investment case and financial planning, licence applications to launch of the channels; Monitored key strategic milestones pre & post launch across parameters
• Developed the Digital and video strategy for the Network and assumed operational responsibility (Head) for launch of the digital products – recruited a team of 65, launched 6 products (Web and App) and monetised the same.
• Leading Digital transformation for the Network.

May 2019 – Mar 2022 · 2 yrs 10 mos · Singapore · Hybrid

• A-Scale is an Asia market access program for early stage HealthTech, MediaTech and UrbanTech ventures.

Jul 2018 – Mar 2020 · 1 yr 8 mos · Mumbai, Maharashtra, India · Hybrid

Jun 2018 – Present · 7 yrs 10 mos · India

• Wishup provides Virtual Executive Assistant Service (VA) at an affordable price point which is fulfilled through a tech enabled marketplace of trained VAs. Services include schedule management, travel, gifting and custom tasks. They aim to address the large latent demand for VAs within the urban population while enabling a huge work-from-home VA workforce through a tech platform.

Apr 2018 – Mar 2022 · 3 yrs 11 mos · Hyderabad, Telangana, India · Hybrid

• Assist technology start-ups in Media and Entertainment accelerate their growth through industry connections, technology mentoring, business scaling and access to smart capital

Mar 2018 – Mar 2024 · 6 yrs · Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

May 2017 – Present · 8 yrs 11 mos · India

• Vahanalytics is a data intelligence platform specialised in driving and fleet behaviour. They capture, process and analyse data to give fleet businesses insights into the safety and efficiency of their operations.

Apr 2017 – Mar 2021 · 3 yrs 11 mos · Mumbai Area, India · Hybrid

Apr 2016 – Mar 2020 · 3 yrs 11 mos · Mumbai Area, India · Hybrid

Jul 2013 – May 2014 · 10 mos · Mumbai Area, India

• Funds raising and partnerships – Corporates (Public and Private Sector Enterprises), Government, International and local NGOs/Foundations

Aug 2012 – Jun 2013 · 10 mos · Mumbai Area, India

• Responsible for (a) Business finance (b) Financial planning and analysis, and (c) Sourcing across all verticals of Disney UTV i.e. Studio (Motion Pictures), Broadcasting and TV Content, Interactive and Retail (Consumer Products)
• Instrumental in negotiations and closure of the Disney-Indiacast distribution joint venture;
• Business Finance: Partnering with all business verticals on business strategy, financial plans and reporting, operational efficiencies, etc.
• Financial planning and analysis: Responsible for consolidation and reporting of India operating results including quarterly results, forecasts, annual operating plans and long-range plans & coordination with the Walt Disney International with respect to the same.
• Overall responsibility for (a) Production operation and accounts (b) Media operations including Library, Technical and Broadcast operations; and (c) Traffic, Presentation and Scheduling;
• Managed integration of Disney and UTV teams by aligning them to standard operating policies, processes, work-flows and compliance framework;
• Achieved 10% manpower rationalisation in the first 6 months of integration
• Key initiatives on standardisation/efficiencies include tapeless work-flow, content storage on LTOs resulting in faster turn around and cost savings on digi-beta tapes

Jan 2007 – Jul 2012 · 5 yrs 6 mos

• Set up the Broadcasting channels for UTV Group including obtaining regulatory approvals (liaisoning with Govt. authorities), finalisation of transponder and uplinking services, etc.
• Responsible for the entire financial and accounting operations of all channels including finalisation of accounts and audit (internal and statutory) and cash flow management including banking matters
• Oversee the preparation and monitoring of MIS, business plans, annual and quarterly budgets and forecast
• Supervise the duties of accounts and finance team which include work allocation, training and problem resolution; motivate employees to achieve peak productivity and performance
• Commercial negotiations for (i) acquisition of content for all channels including UTV Bindass (Music), UTV Movies and UTV Action; (ii) commissioned content for UTV Bindass; (iii) marketing contracts including creative/design agencies, events, outdoor advertising and merchandise
• Key focus on strategic operations planning, cost reduction, business performance KPIs, receivables management, internal controls and qualitative process improvements
• Reviewing commercial and legal agreements including Shareholders’ agreement, content acquisition, production and carriage deals
• Led the closing DDR in respect of Disney’s acquisition of UTV;
• Also handled commercial negotiations across all verticals of UTV i.e. Broadcasting, Interactive, Television Content production, Gaming and Motion Pictures for a couple of years;

May 2005 – Dec 2006 · 1 yr 7 mos

• Extensively worked on The Walt Disney Company’s acquisition of HungamaTV which included the due diligence review, agreements, integration and closing of the deal
• Responsible for the entire financial and accounting operations of the channel – HungamaTV including finalisation of accounts and audit (internal and statutory)
• Cash flow management including debtors monitoring and processing payments; Managing day-to-day banking matters including raising of finance
• Preparation of business plans, cash flows, monthly management accounts and management reports; Monitoring costs and revenues vis-à-vis the business plans on a regular basis
• Reviewing commercial agreements including content acquisition and production

Mar 2001 – Oct 2004 · 3 yrs 7 mos · Muscat Governorate, Oman

• Tax compliance, including preparation and review of tax returns
• Providing tax planning and business advisory services to multinational clients
• Meeting and discussions with tax authorities and finalising assessments
• Advising clients on the strategies to pursue matters with the appellate authorities, preparation and submissions of appeals to the appellate authorities
• Tax clients independently handled include HSBC, Caltex, Pepsico, Citibank, Standard Chartered Bank, BP, Renaissance Group of companies and Toubro
• Audit of foreign companies operating in Oman in compliance with local requirements and preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS
• Audit clients independently handled include Hughes Services Middle East Company, Marconi Radar Projects Limited, FMC Corporation, Hyundai Engineering and Tebodin & Partner LLC

Jan 1996 – Jan 2001 · 5 yrs · Mumbai Area, India

• Statutory and tax audits of companies, partnerships firms, individuals, charitable trusts and cooperative societies
• Statutory, internal and concurrent audit of banks
• Tax compliance matters including preparation of returns and advance tax computations
• Company law matters including registration of companies, drafting of memorandum and articles of association, filing of returns, meetings and discussions with the inspectors
• Advising and assisting clients on drafting of various legal agreements including partnership and trust deeds, wills and property agreements
• Preparation of project feasibility reports and liaisoning with banks