Apr 2021 – Sep 2022 · 1 yr 5 mos · Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Apr 2021 – Apr 2021 · 0 mo · Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

May 2019 – Apr 2021 · 1 yr 11 mos

• Having seen the consistent achievement that I was able to lead for ZEE in the business of film acquisition and distribution, I was promoted in this appraisal and also awarded additional responsibility for leading the business of Global content licensing in addition to current role of leading the international film distribution business. The licensing business of ZEEL syndicates Zee’s premium television content portfolio of over 260,000 hours of programming along with its movie library worldwide. Dealing with acquisition and sales in feature films across different Indian languages is helping me in a great way when I now also am in charge of licensing content worldwide
• 1. While our target is steep and almost 50% more than what was achieved last year, I have re-organized and re-energized the team which has in Q1 itself helped us achieve more than 110% which is almost double of what was achieved in the Q1 of last fiscal
• 2. Opened up various avenues including licensing films like Article 15 to Netflix in an unprecedented deal at ZEE and opening up new buyers from China at the MipChina in May

Aug 2016 – Apr 2021 · 4 yrs 8 mos

• ZEE was a much insignificant player in the overseas film business before the management realized the vacuum that exists and handed me the responsibility of building this business from scratch. In the last 3 years, this business is now a cash cow and ZEE a dominant player in films for international business.
• 1. Successfully built ZEE Studios International on basis of choice & selection of content. In a market where only 7% of the Bollywood movies break even or make profit, At ZEE Studios we have had a near 100% success rate across all the movies that we have acquired and distributed.
• 2. Opening of new international markets is an important key to success in a global content market environment - Aamir Khans ‘Secret Superstar’ in China, Taiwan, Russia, Korea etc, Irrfan’s ’Hindi Medium’ in China & Taiwan and Sridevi’s ‘MOM’ in China, Russia & Korea, and now Kesari to be released in Japan.
• 3. Great relationships and repeat business dealings are a must have criteria in our business and we currently share this with some of the most prominent production houses and studios such as Dharma, Balaji, Red Chillies, Excel,Junglee Pictures and Maddock films.
• 4. Building our own sub-distribution network is one of the key differentiating factors that we have been able to create which has helped overall profit margin. Have successfully set up this in all key markets such as North America, Europe, Australia, Singapore, Mauritius
• 5. The job has demanded not just an acute sense of identifying the right content but also doing so at the right price and selingl it at the right value to the right partners. My team has been able to deliver more than 115% of our targets in the last 3 years and build a business from scratch into one of the cash cows for the company
• 6. We have not only done the acquisition and sale of Hindi language films but also of other languages like Punjabi, Tamil, Malayalam and Marathi. The great start to my licensing role can be attributed to this in a big way

Jan 2013 – Jul 2016 · 3 yrs 6 mos · Greater New York City Area

• 1.Given my experience in all fields of entertainment, my current assignment is based creating and setting up a new business line for North America Brand Solutions/Special Projects/Events, that is, original programming, production and live events along with helping sales to monetise properties like DID North America, Lil' Champs North America, SRGMP North America, Super Moms North America and music tours like Unstoppable live in concert with Sajid Wajid: A New Business Line.
• 2.Spearheaded the launch of zeedilse.com a digital product from the concept to architecture to wire frames to launching the brand in the US market.
• 3.Adapted, Localized, Conceptualized and Produced reality talent based shows for the North American market (DID North America 2013, DID Super Moms North America, DID Lil' Champs North America, SRGMP Lil' Champs North America) in order to increase engagement & interaction with the local audience.
• 4.Garnered the highest viewership rating and engagement for the locally produced talent shows.
• 5.Sponsorships from US mainstream brands such as McDonald and Walmart.
• 6.Collaborated with local talent such as Nakul Dev Mahajan (Hollywood's Bollywood choreographer), Nina Davuluri (Miss America) in order to increase ZEE's brand value in the market locally and internationally.

Jul 2008 – Jan 2013 · 4 yrs 6 mos · Greater New York City Area

• 1. Headed and set up the entire Marketing, PR and Research function and team, including Nielsen Ratings (first Indian Channel to get rated in US) and Rentrack rating systems (increasing credibility and revenue for the network), ZEE's presence in prestigious events like NATPE and Emmys.
• 2. Worked closely with Satellite and Cable platforms such as DISH, Comcast, Verizon, Cablevision and lead the development & implementation of brand building, customer acquisition & retention plans, pitching and launching new channels on these platforms, resulting in consistent growth in a flat growth industry.
• 3. Implemented the first upfront for ZEE TV (The no.1 Nielsen Rated South Asian Network).
• 4. Business Plan Development.
• 5. Headed the marketing and rebrand for the lifestyle brand of ZEE called Veria and now called Living (was responsible for changing it from Veria to Veria Living).
• 6. Initiated & developed various partnership initiatives & affiliate relations.

Jan 2006 – Jul 2008 · 2 yrs 6 mos · Mumbai Area, India

• 1.Branding - including media planning, BTL , ATL and digital campaigns of some of the most landmark shows on the flagship channel such as Kasamh Se, Ghar ki Lakshmi Betiyaan, Naagin, Teen Bahuraaniyaan, Saat Phere, Rakhee (Launched the Afternoon Band) and led the campaign for Jab We Met (Movie) in entirety.
• 2.Led new media strategies such as wireless, mobile & became first entertainment network to develop Gaming strategy/Gamification for shows such as Ravaan and Naagin.
• 3.Developed & executed sales integrations including conceptualizing product placements & sponsorships.
• 4.Initiated the rebrand of ZEE TV (Packaging, Concept, Designing, Animation, Music, etc).

Jan 2005 – Jan 2006 · 1 yr · New Delhi Area, India

• Strategized, conceptualized and launched some of their flagship brands such as the 'Breaking News with Rajat Sharma and redefined and changed the FPC/schedule which let to India TV becoming one of the top rated news channels during that time.

May 2003 – Jan 2005 · 1 yr 8 mos · New Delhi Area, India

• Research and consumer insights at TAM for broadcasters like Star, Life OK, ZEE TV, ESPN, Discovery and NGC