Ajay Chacko
Co-Founder & CEO, Arré
Ajay is Co-founder & CEO of Arre, one of the country’s foremost original digital content brands. Arre was founded in 2015 by B. Saikumar, Ajay Chacko & Sanjay Ray Chaudhuri. Arre offers multimedia content across genres & formats and has won many international & domestic awards & accolades within a year of its launch for its work in digital fiction & non fiction.
Ajay has over 2 decades of experience in media & financial services. He spent over a decade with Network18 and was Group COO and also President A+E – TV18 JV in his last held roles with the Group. He has also worked with IL&FS, Sharekhan and the Indian Express Group prior to his stint with Network18.
Website: www.arre.co.in
Twitter handle:@Arretweets
Ajay has over 2 decades of experience in media & financial services. He spent over a decade with Network18 and was Group COO and also President A+E – TV18 JV in his last held roles with the Group. He has also worked with IL&FS, Sharekhan and the Indian Express Group prior to his stint with Network18.
Website: www.arre.co.in
Twitter handle:@Arretweets
Amit Behl
Actor
Prolific film, TV and theatre actor, Amit Behl started his acting career in 1994, with the iconic TV show, Shanti. The engineering and management postgraduate has acted in more than 100 TV serials till date, essaying diverse roles in Hindi, English, Marathi, Punjabi and Urdu serials.
He has also acted in over 40 feature films, has anchored over 100 corporate films and documentaries, acted in advertising films, and served as a voice actor in advertisements and foreign language dubbing.
Having honed his acting skills at Shri Ebrahim Alkazi's Living Theatre Academy of Drama, Amit Behl cut his teeth in theatre, before going on to become a versatile film and TV actor. He has been the senior joint secretary of CINTAA (Cine & TV artistes association) since 2015.
He has also acted in over 40 feature films, has anchored over 100 corporate films and documentaries, acted in advertising films, and served as a voice actor in advertisements and foreign language dubbing.
Having honed his acting skills at Shri Ebrahim Alkazi's Living Theatre Academy of Drama, Amit Behl cut his teeth in theatre, before going on to become a versatile film and TV actor. He has been the senior joint secretary of CINTAA (Cine & TV artistes association) since 2015.
Anurag Batra
Chairman & Editor-in-Chief, BW Businessworld Media Group
Mr. Anurag Batra is a serial entrepreneur, media mogul, journalist and an eternal optimist rolled into one. He has a B. Tech in Computer Sciences, which he acquired before joining Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon, one of India's leading Business School. He is a first generation entrepreneur and Chairman of BW Businessworld, the iconic 35 year strong media brand as well as the most respected business publication in the country.
Since taking over BW Businessworld, Mr. Batra has expanded BW Businessworld into digital, events and BW communities and took into its fold www.digitalmarket.asia, a leading website on digital marketing ,www.everythingexperiential.com, India’s leading experiential marketing website and launched BW hotelier in partnership with hotelier international. BW Businessworld under the aegis of Mr. Batra also launched prominent brands like BW Education and BW People recently.
Mr. Batra also founded the exchange4media group and he serves as the Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of exchange4media group which includes exchange4media.com – India’s leading media industry website, PITCH – India’s only Advertising, Marketing and Media Magazine, IMPACT – The Marketing Weekly, Franchisee Plus – Business Opportunity Magazine, Realty Plus – India’s leading monthly real estate magazine and samachar4media.com/ – leading media industry website in Hindi.
Mr. Batra is also appointed by Government of India as the Chairman of an industry committee formed to come up with a vocational training framework for the media, communication and entertainment industry. He mentors many budding entrepreneurs and enjoys the process of reverse mentoring as in what he learns from these young entrepreneurs. At BW Businessworld BW Accelerate is an initiative to provide a structured platform to entrepreneurs for mentorship and growth.
An honorary advisor to,http://www.stylekandy.com/, a household name in the fashion industry and also cofounder of the auto website www.wheelsunplugged.com which he exited out of three years back after selling to helion backed trivone.
He is also a regular speaker on National and International Conferences on Media, Internet, Television, Media policy and Entrepreneurship. As a member of the Sales & Marketing committee of the Delhi Management Association and President of the Franchising Association of India, Northern chapter, he has a vital role to play in the decision making processes of the industry circles.
He is passionate about Magazines and is on the Executive Committee of the Association of Indian Magazines (AIM). He also wants to give back to the industry and his love for teaching comes into play in his position as the Chairman of the Advisory Board of FMCC (Futuristic Media Communication Centre), a leading Media and Communication School in India.
In 2006, the prestigious Management Development Institute (MDI) and Mr. Batra’s Alma mater awarded him the “Most Distinguished Alumni of the Decade Award”.
Mr. Batra believes if you make your hobby your profession, you don’t have to work and life becomes a blessing.
Since taking over BW Businessworld, Mr. Batra has expanded BW Businessworld into digital, events and BW communities and took into its fold www.digitalmarket.asia, a leading website on digital marketing ,www.everythingexperiential.com, India’s leading experiential marketing website and launched BW hotelier in partnership with hotelier international. BW Businessworld under the aegis of Mr. Batra also launched prominent brands like BW Education and BW People recently.
Mr. Batra also founded the exchange4media group and he serves as the Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of exchange4media group which includes exchange4media.com – India’s leading media industry website, PITCH – India’s only Advertising, Marketing and Media Magazine, IMPACT – The Marketing Weekly, Franchisee Plus – Business Opportunity Magazine, Realty Plus – India’s leading monthly real estate magazine and samachar4media.com/ – leading media industry website in Hindi.
Mr. Batra is also appointed by Government of India as the Chairman of an industry committee formed to come up with a vocational training framework for the media, communication and entertainment industry. He mentors many budding entrepreneurs and enjoys the process of reverse mentoring as in what he learns from these young entrepreneurs. At BW Businessworld BW Accelerate is an initiative to provide a structured platform to entrepreneurs for mentorship and growth.
An honorary advisor to,http://www.stylekandy.com/, a household name in the fashion industry and also cofounder of the auto website www.wheelsunplugged.com which he exited out of three years back after selling to helion backed trivone.
He is also a regular speaker on National and International Conferences on Media, Internet, Television, Media policy and Entrepreneurship. As a member of the Sales & Marketing committee of the Delhi Management Association and President of the Franchising Association of India, Northern chapter, he has a vital role to play in the decision making processes of the industry circles.
He is passionate about Magazines and is on the Executive Committee of the Association of Indian Magazines (AIM). He also wants to give back to the industry and his love for teaching comes into play in his position as the Chairman of the Advisory Board of FMCC (Futuristic Media Communication Centre), a leading Media and Communication School in India.
In 2006, the prestigious Management Development Institute (MDI) and Mr. Batra’s Alma mater awarded him the “Most Distinguished Alumni of the Decade Award”.
Mr. Batra believes if you make your hobby your profession, you don’t have to work and life becomes a blessing.
Ashim Bajaj
Cinematographer
It is all about giving your best shot, extreme dedication and patience. And if all this comes from the heart sincerely, there is every reason for you to be a winner. Ashim Bajaj is a professional par excellence, who has carved a niche for himself in the realm of cinematography, thanks to his notable, innovative work.
Ashim has worked in some of the most successful and critically acclaimed films namely Parched, Jobs, Hum Tum, Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, Vaastav, Chameli, Shabd, Teen Patti, Shivaay among others. Chameli won him four awards including Filmfare and IFFA. Ashim is a Member of the Guild of British Camera Technicians [GBCT] and Western India Cinematographers Association [WICA]. He is married to director Leena Yadav.
Ashim has worked in some of the most successful and critically acclaimed films namely Parched, Jobs, Hum Tum, Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, Vaastav, Chameli, Shabd, Teen Patti, Shivaay among others. Chameli won him four awards including Filmfare and IFFA. Ashim is a Member of the Guild of British Camera Technicians [GBCT] and Western India Cinematographers Association [WICA]. He is married to director Leena Yadav.
Manasi Sapre
Head of Content, Viu India
Manasi Sapre is a senior media professional who has worked on strategic positions across Television and Digital media over the last 15 years.
Manasi is currently head of content for premium VoD platform Viu. At Viu she is responsible for content strategy, content programming, production of premium content and acquisitions. Manasi is responsible for introducing premium fiction productions presented by A-list industry leaders like Vikram Bhatt and Annapurna Studios. VIU’s Tamil pack will be launched soon with equally compelling names.
Her core specialty is defining brand and content strategy, identifying right content for the right target group, producing premium content, acquiring & localizing syndicated content. Manasi is an obsessive reader and animal lover. World Cinema and trekking are some of her other passions. She read English literature at Jawaharlal Nehru University and got her MS in Media Studies from the University of North Texas.
Manasi is currently head of content for premium VoD platform Viu. At Viu she is responsible for content strategy, content programming, production of premium content and acquisitions. Manasi is responsible for introducing premium fiction productions presented by A-list industry leaders like Vikram Bhatt and Annapurna Studios. VIU’s Tamil pack will be launched soon with equally compelling names.
Her core specialty is defining brand and content strategy, identifying right content for the right target group, producing premium content, acquiring & localizing syndicated content. Manasi is an obsessive reader and animal lover. World Cinema and trekking are some of her other passions. She read English literature at Jawaharlal Nehru University and got her MS in Media Studies from the University of North Texas.
Manav Sethi
CMO, ALTBalaji
Manav Sethi leads ALTBalaji as the Chief Marketing Officer. He launched this platform in April 2017 and oversees the company's overall communications strategy in India and internationally.
In his last role at Getit, he launched multiple businesses and brands in India and Malaysia across Yellow pages, Horizontal Marketplace and verticals like grocery and furniture, mobile wallet and a merchant lending platform.
At Reliance Big Entertainment, he was the founder of then India’s largest online local search platform, which got investment interests from Navteq & acquisition interest from Justdial. While at Reliance, he also worked on launching businesses across FM Radio, Music, Motion Pictures, Movie rental & download, online gaming & a JV with Dreamworks Animation SKG.
In his earlier stints, Manav exited a startup in stealth mode that created an IP that helped telecom towers reduce their energy costs.
He has formal education in Management and Law.
In his last role at Getit, he launched multiple businesses and brands in India and Malaysia across Yellow pages, Horizontal Marketplace and verticals like grocery and furniture, mobile wallet and a merchant lending platform.
At Reliance Big Entertainment, he was the founder of then India’s largest online local search platform, which got investment interests from Navteq & acquisition interest from Justdial. While at Reliance, he also worked on launching businesses across FM Radio, Music, Motion Pictures, Movie rental & download, online gaming & a JV with Dreamworks Animation SKG.
In his earlier stints, Manav exited a startup in stealth mode that created an IP that helped telecom towers reduce their energy costs.
He has formal education in Management and Law.
Monika Shergill
Head – Content, Viacom 18 Digital Ventures
A seasoned media professional with around 2 decades of experience as a Journalist, Producer & Network Executive, Monika took the plunge from traditional media in September 2015 to join Viacom18 Digital Ventures. She was brought on board as a key member of the start-up team taskedto set up Viacom18’s Video on Demand Service “VOOT”. As the Content head for VOOT, her role isto curate, create & design a strong content proposition that drives engagement amongst the very wide and diverse audiences.
Launched in May 2016, VOOT is amongst the front runners in the Indian online digital space hosting all of Viacom18’s broadcast content, content around content, VOOT Originals and the largest repository of kids’ content in the country with VOOT Kids.
Monika has spearheaded a unique & ground breaking category extension by creating & popularizing VOOT exclusive digital shows around broadcast reality brands like Bigg Boss, Splitsvilla, Roadies etc. Under the VOOT Originals umbrella, Monika has explored a unique brand of storytelling for the digital consumer and has created series like It’s Not That Simple, Shaadi Boys, Badman &Untag that has garnered significant acclaim and generated social media conversations resulting in growth of reach and user base for VOOT.
In addition to Content, Monika also oversees the Publishing & on-platform promotion functions for VOOT.
Prior to this, Monika was heading the network Non-Fiction programming & strategy for Star India Network. In this role, she helmed the biggest network multi lingual content project, the series, `Satyamev Jayate’ for Star Plus & 9 other network channels. Monika Shergill has worked across genres in all major broadcast networks including Zee (2001-2002) & Sony Entertainment Television (2002-2007) in key Fiction Programming roles.
Launched in May 2016, VOOT is amongst the front runners in the Indian online digital space hosting all of Viacom18’s broadcast content, content around content, VOOT Originals and the largest repository of kids’ content in the country with VOOT Kids.
Monika has spearheaded a unique & ground breaking category extension by creating & popularizing VOOT exclusive digital shows around broadcast reality brands like Bigg Boss, Splitsvilla, Roadies etc. Under the VOOT Originals umbrella, Monika has explored a unique brand of storytelling for the digital consumer and has created series like It’s Not That Simple, Shaadi Boys, Badman &Untag that has garnered significant acclaim and generated social media conversations resulting in growth of reach and user base for VOOT.
In addition to Content, Monika also oversees the Publishing & on-platform promotion functions for VOOT.
Prior to this, Monika was heading the network Non-Fiction programming & strategy for Star India Network. In this role, she helmed the biggest network multi lingual content project, the series, `Satyamev Jayate’ for Star Plus & 9 other network channels. Monika Shergill has worked across genres in all major broadcast networks including Zee (2001-2002) & Sony Entertainment Television (2002-2007) in key Fiction Programming roles.
Myleeta Aga
SVP & GM South East Asia and South Asia, BBC Worldwide
Ms. Myleeta Aga serves as Senior Vice President and General Manager, South East Asia and South Asia at BBC Worldwide Limited. Ms. Aga serves as Senior Vice President, General Manager and Content Head for Asia at BBC World India Pvt Ltd.
Ms. Aga is responsible for the running of BBC Worldwide’s businesses in SEA – including driving Content, Format and Digital Sales. Along with that she also oversees the business development of the well-established channels and BBC Player services. Looking after BBC World News distribution interests in the SEA region also comes under her purview.
Prior to joining BBC Worldwide, Ms. Aga helped co-found TV guide channel, What’s On India and served as its Head of Content. Before that, she was Executive Producer at the Travel Channel based in the US. Here she was nominated for an Emmy as Executive Producer for the most successful series to date: Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations.
Ms. Aga has also served for UTV, Pearson Television and Discovery Channel. Ms. Aga has an MBA from Georgetown University, USA.
Ms. Aga is responsible for the running of BBC Worldwide’s businesses in SEA – including driving Content, Format and Digital Sales. Along with that she also oversees the business development of the well-established channels and BBC Player services. Looking after BBC World News distribution interests in the SEA region also comes under her purview.
Prior to joining BBC Worldwide, Ms. Aga helped co-found TV guide channel, What’s On India and served as its Head of Content. Before that, she was Executive Producer at the Travel Channel based in the US. Here she was nominated for an Emmy as Executive Producer for the most successful series to date: Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations.
Ms. Aga has also served for UTV, Pearson Television and Discovery Channel. Ms. Aga has an MBA from Georgetown University, USA.
Nitish Tipnis
Entrepreneur
Nitish Tipnis is known in the Industry as an Automobile and Retail Business Transformation Specialist. A non-conformist by heart and spirit, he has always redefined the traditional to create value by going beyond the Ordinary during his 29 years in the industry. With a keen eye for Detail he is passionate about the ‘finerity’ in objects of desire ranging from Automobiles, Watches, Jewellery Accessories, Bespoke Fashion and Gadgets.
In the corporate world, he has been Director-Marketing & Sales for NISSAN Motors and COO at Reliance Digital. He pioneered the Organized Retail movement in Consumer Durables in India co-founding PLUGIN-NEXT, India’s first corporatized Electronic Retail Chain.
He is Currently incubating a couple of interesting startups in the online space reinventing himself as Ver 3.0
In the corporate world, he has been Director-Marketing & Sales for NISSAN Motors and COO at Reliance Digital. He pioneered the Organized Retail movement in Consumer Durables in India co-founding PLUGIN-NEXT, India’s first corporatized Electronic Retail Chain.
He is Currently incubating a couple of interesting startups in the online space reinventing himself as Ver 3.0
Ram Kamal Mukherjee
India's First Power Brand Journalist,Former Editor, Stardust, Author, Biographer, TV Producer
Ram Kamal Mukherjee
India's First Power Brand Journalist,Former Editor, Stardust, Author, Biographer, TV Producer
With almost two decades of experience in the field of journalism, Ram Kamal Mukherjee holds two prestigious record to his repute. He became India's youngest biographer after writing a Coffee table book on Hema Malini in 2005 at the age of 29. He has also bagged the prestigious Power Brand award as India's first Power Brand Film Journalist in 2017.
Ram Kamal worked as Assistant Editor of Mumbai Mirror. He worked as Vice President with Pritish Nandy Communications for almost half a decade. During his tenure he worked on eight Hindi feature films. Later, he joined as Editor-in-chief with Stardust, under Magna Publishing. He also co-produced a finite series Bin Kuch Kahe for Zee TV in association with Rajshree Ojha under Artecom Entertainment.
His first fiction novel Long Island Iced Tea got rave reviews from book connoisseurs.
Recently he released Hema Malini's authorized biography Beyond The Dreamgirl published by HarperCollins India. Formally launched by Deepika Padukone, the book is travelling across the globe. With this book, Ram Kamal became India's first and only author to have a foreword written by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Ram Kamal floated his own production house Assorted Motion Pictures and will soon announce his forthcoming protects for celluloid and digital platform.
Ram Kamal worked as Assistant Editor of Mumbai Mirror. He worked as Vice President with Pritish Nandy Communications for almost half a decade. During his tenure he worked on eight Hindi feature films. Later, he joined as Editor-in-chief with Stardust, under Magna Publishing. He also co-produced a finite series Bin Kuch Kahe for Zee TV in association with Rajshree Ojha under Artecom Entertainment.
His first fiction novel Long Island Iced Tea got rave reviews from book connoisseurs.
Recently he released Hema Malini's authorized biography Beyond The Dreamgirl published by HarperCollins India. Formally launched by Deepika Padukone, the book is travelling across the globe. With this book, Ram Kamal became India's first and only author to have a foreword written by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Ram Kamal floated his own production house Assorted Motion Pictures and will soon announce his forthcoming protects for celluloid and digital platform.
Ramesh Narayan
President, International Advertising Association
Ramesh Narayan is presently President of the International Advertising Association (India Chapter).
He is also President of the Rotary Club of Bombay.
In 2014, he was inducted into the International Advertising Association Hall of Fame.
In the same year he was honored by the Advertising Agencies Association of India with its Lifetime Achievement Award.
In 2015, he was honored as Global Champion by the IAA, at its inaugural Inspire Awards at London.
In November 2017, he was honored with a Special Award for his distinguished service to the industry in the Asian region, by the Asian Federation of Advertising Associations.
He is currently Vice President on the Global Board of the International Advertising Association and is credited with conceptualizing and rolling out the Olive Crown Awards, India’s first and only awards that salute excellence in communicating sustainability.
He represents the Indian advertising industry on the Executive Committee member of Asian Federation of Advertising Associations.
He is currently a member on the SEBI Committee for Investor Awareness and Protection.
In the Rotary Club of Bombay, he is credited with conceiving the international award-winning skills enhancement program, Bhavishya Yaan, for underprivileged children in Municipal Schools. Currently impacts 1200 students in Mumbai.
Awarded Best Director of the Rotary Club of Bombay in any avenue of service, 2010, and then Rotarian of the Year,twice.
Ramesh Narayan founded and oversaw the creative and management functions of Canco Advertising, from 1983 to 2006. The agency had an impressive roster of blue chip clients in the areas of finance, insurance, infrastructure and media, and earned a name for its professionalism.
Ramesh has been very active in the advertising industry.
He was President of the Advertising Club (two terms) and was also Chairman of the prestigious ABBY awards committee and editor of their award-winning magazine, SOLUS.
He was the first Indian to judge the finals of the EFFIE awards (for advertising effectiveness) at New York.
He held two terms as President of the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI), the apex body of agencies in the country. It was in his term, that the widely hailed agreement to treat advertising agencies as business partners was signed with the Indian Broadcasters Association.
He was Chairman, Planning Committee, of the AdAsia 2003 held in Jaipur, widely accepted as the biggest and most successful advertising convention of its kind.
He was on the Council (Board of Directors) of the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC), a tripartite body consisting of advertisers, agencies and the media. He was also on the Board of the National Readership Survey Council(NRSC), that carried out the prestigious National Readership Survey all over India.
His first love is writing. He has had columns in the Indian Express, Mid-Day, Business India and Hindu Business Line. He won the “marketing and media columnist award of the year” twice.
His passion for photography resulted in a highly acclaimed exhibition in Mumbai in aid of an NGO.
He was honored with a special award for his contribution to Financial Advertising by the Association of Business Communicators (ABCI) and for his contribution to the advertising industry by the Indira Institutes, Pune.
He was on the joint industry-academia committee, set up by the Bombay University, to draft the syllabus for the Bachelor of Mass Media (BMM) course in Mumbai.
He has been a panelist at the AdAsia, Singapore in 2005, and has lectured at several institutions, including BITS Pilani, SIES Management School, National Insurance Academy, H.R.College, Sydenham College, Symbiosis, YMCA etc.
He authored a widely acclaimed book, “Reflections, the World of Marketing and Advertising Around us”.
He wound down Canco Advertising in 2006, at the age of 50.
He is also President of the Rotary Club of Bombay.
In 2014, he was inducted into the International Advertising Association Hall of Fame.
In the same year he was honored by the Advertising Agencies Association of India with its Lifetime Achievement Award.
In 2015, he was honored as Global Champion by the IAA, at its inaugural Inspire Awards at London.
In November 2017, he was honored with a Special Award for his distinguished service to the industry in the Asian region, by the Asian Federation of Advertising Associations.
He is currently Vice President on the Global Board of the International Advertising Association and is credited with conceptualizing and rolling out the Olive Crown Awards, India’s first and only awards that salute excellence in communicating sustainability.
He represents the Indian advertising industry on the Executive Committee member of Asian Federation of Advertising Associations.
He is currently a member on the SEBI Committee for Investor Awareness and Protection.
In the Rotary Club of Bombay, he is credited with conceiving the international award-winning skills enhancement program, Bhavishya Yaan, for underprivileged children in Municipal Schools. Currently impacts 1200 students in Mumbai.
Awarded Best Director of the Rotary Club of Bombay in any avenue of service, 2010, and then Rotarian of the Year,twice.
Ramesh Narayan founded and oversaw the creative and management functions of Canco Advertising, from 1983 to 2006. The agency had an impressive roster of blue chip clients in the areas of finance, insurance, infrastructure and media, and earned a name for its professionalism.
Ramesh has been very active in the advertising industry.
He was President of the Advertising Club (two terms) and was also Chairman of the prestigious ABBY awards committee and editor of their award-winning magazine, SOLUS.
He was the first Indian to judge the finals of the EFFIE awards (for advertising effectiveness) at New York.
He held two terms as President of the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI), the apex body of agencies in the country. It was in his term, that the widely hailed agreement to treat advertising agencies as business partners was signed with the Indian Broadcasters Association.
He was Chairman, Planning Committee, of the AdAsia 2003 held in Jaipur, widely accepted as the biggest and most successful advertising convention of its kind.
He was on the Council (Board of Directors) of the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC), a tripartite body consisting of advertisers, agencies and the media. He was also on the Board of the National Readership Survey Council(NRSC), that carried out the prestigious National Readership Survey all over India.
His first love is writing. He has had columns in the Indian Express, Mid-Day, Business India and Hindu Business Line. He won the “marketing and media columnist award of the year” twice.
His passion for photography resulted in a highly acclaimed exhibition in Mumbai in aid of an NGO.
He was honored with a special award for his contribution to Financial Advertising by the Association of Business Communicators (ABCI) and for his contribution to the advertising industry by the Indira Institutes, Pune.
He was on the joint industry-academia committee, set up by the Bombay University, to draft the syllabus for the Bachelor of Mass Media (BMM) course in Mumbai.
He has been a panelist at the AdAsia, Singapore in 2005, and has lectured at several institutions, including BITS Pilani, SIES Management School, National Insurance Academy, H.R.College, Sydenham College, Symbiosis, YMCA etc.
He authored a widely acclaimed book, “Reflections, the World of Marketing and Advertising Around us”.
He wound down Canco Advertising in 2006, at the age of 50.
Sameer Saxena
Head, TVF Originals
Sameer is among the pioneers of creating digital entertainment in India, with many years of experience in broadcast, film and digital content.
Sameer is the Head of Content at TVF. He is responsible for TVF’s entire creative organization. Sameer created & directed India’s First Ever Web Series – TVF’s Permanent Roommates. He is also the creator of 2016s runaway hit web show –TVF's Tripling. An acclaimed mimic and actor, he regularly features in acting roles across TVF's universe as well. With close to a decade of experience in the entertainment industry across different media - Film, TV & Digital - working on some of the biggest Bollywood films (Don2, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara) and some of the biggest Indian TV shows and live entertainment entities (Big Boss, IPL). Sameer, also called Sam, is a graduate of IIT Bombay. Before taking the plunge in the entertainment industry, Sameer had a 6-year stint with a global consultancy.
Sameer is the Head of Content at TVF. He is responsible for TVF’s entire creative organization. Sameer created & directed India’s First Ever Web Series – TVF’s Permanent Roommates. He is also the creator of 2016s runaway hit web show –TVF's Tripling. An acclaimed mimic and actor, he regularly features in acting roles across TVF's universe as well. With close to a decade of experience in the entertainment industry across different media - Film, TV & Digital - working on some of the biggest Bollywood films (Don2, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara) and some of the biggest Indian TV shows and live entertainment entities (Big Boss, IPL). Sameer, also called Sam, is a graduate of IIT Bombay. Before taking the plunge in the entertainment industry, Sameer had a 6-year stint with a global consultancy.
Sandiip Sikcand
Actor, Producer, Director
Started off as a garment exporter, but the love for acting and creating stories pulled me into the media. Have been a creative director since 15 years now and worked on shows like : Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki, Kasamh Se, Bandini, Amrit Manthan, Behenein, Bairi Piya, and Yeh Hai Mohobattein.
Have produced a show called Dhhai Kilo Prem
Have been an actor, producer and director on stage and have successfully worked in plays like - ASK WHAT FATHER SAYS, CHAMPAGNE ON THE HOUSE, MY BEST FRIENDS WEDDING, to name a few
Have acted in films like - Woh lamhe, Raaz 2, Murder 2, Blood Money and Tu Hai Mera Sunday
Have produced a show called Dhhai Kilo Prem
Have been an actor, producer and director on stage and have successfully worked in plays like - ASK WHAT FATHER SAYS, CHAMPAGNE ON THE HOUSE, MY BEST FRIENDS WEDDING, to name a few
Have acted in films like - Woh lamhe, Raaz 2, Murder 2, Blood Money and Tu Hai Mera Sunday
Tisca Chopra
Actress, Writer, Producer
Tisca Chopra's vibrant personality and her burning passion to excel is evident in the unusual choices she has made in her life and work. She is known for her clutter breaking roles and has chosen to be part of stories that she believes need telling. She has acted in over 45 feature films in different languages with many eminent directors like Aamir Khan, Prakash Jha, Madhur Bhandarkar, Abhinay Deo, Sharat Katariya and Anup Singh. 'Taare Zameen Par', her best known feature film, was India's official entry to the Academy Awards. It also won her Filmfare and other top nominations.
Another feature film, Qissa, premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in 2013, and won the prestigious NETPAC Award for Best Asian Film. The film has traveled to over 20 festivals, winning over almost all top awards and much appreciation from audiences and critics. Tisca did her Bachelors in Literature from University of Delhi and worked extensively in theatre. She has honed her craft with Naseeruddin Shah & theatre director Feroz Khan. Her performance in the Pulitzer Award winning play, 'Dinner With Friends', that deals with the state of the modern marriage, was a runaway hit in India, South East Asia & the Middle East, garnering praise from both, critics and audiences. A practicing Buddhist, she consistently works on issues especially those of gender equality, the girl child and the environment. She has worked with Sam Pitroda on the National Knowledge Commission, to help with revamping the education system and rote learning. Her book Acting Smart (Harper Collins), is a best seller and is being translated into Hindi. Tisca has been nominated at the New York Indian Film Festival for Best Actress for her work in '10Ml Love', a film based on A Mid Summer Night's Dream.
Her intense performance in the Indian adaptation of the American series '24', was much lauded and made her a household name. The series won Best Ensemble Cast. She's been on the Jury of the prestigious MAMI (Mumbai Academy Of Moving Images) film festival. She has started work on a film script and has just finished with producing her first film, a short, Chutney under her company "The Eastern Way", which got her 2 Filmfare awards in the category of Best Actor (Female) & Best Film (Fiction). Her upcoming projects are 'Bioscopewala', '3Dev' & 'The Hungry' (which is based on the Shakespeare play "Titus Andronicus"). One of the most beautiful and stylish actresses, Tisca is often on best dressed list and a favorite with advertisers, endorsing brands like Tanishq, Titan Eye Wear, Olay, Horlicks, Marks & Spencers, Godrej, Bajaj Motors and Kellogs. Tisca Chopra is the grand-niece of prominent Indian writer Khushwant Singh. She is married to Capt. Sanjay , who is a pilot with Air India. They have one daughter and live in Mumbai.
Another feature film, Qissa, premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in 2013, and won the prestigious NETPAC Award for Best Asian Film. The film has traveled to over 20 festivals, winning over almost all top awards and much appreciation from audiences and critics. Tisca did her Bachelors in Literature from University of Delhi and worked extensively in theatre. She has honed her craft with Naseeruddin Shah & theatre director Feroz Khan. Her performance in the Pulitzer Award winning play, 'Dinner With Friends', that deals with the state of the modern marriage, was a runaway hit in India, South East Asia & the Middle East, garnering praise from both, critics and audiences. A practicing Buddhist, she consistently works on issues especially those of gender equality, the girl child and the environment. She has worked with Sam Pitroda on the National Knowledge Commission, to help with revamping the education system and rote learning. Her book Acting Smart (Harper Collins), is a best seller and is being translated into Hindi. Tisca has been nominated at the New York Indian Film Festival for Best Actress for her work in '10Ml Love', a film based on A Mid Summer Night's Dream.
Her intense performance in the Indian adaptation of the American series '24', was much lauded and made her a household name. The series won Best Ensemble Cast. She's been on the Jury of the prestigious MAMI (Mumbai Academy Of Moving Images) film festival. She has started work on a film script and has just finished with producing her first film, a short, Chutney under her company "The Eastern Way", which got her 2 Filmfare awards in the category of Best Actor (Female) & Best Film (Fiction). Her upcoming projects are 'Bioscopewala', '3Dev' & 'The Hungry' (which is based on the Shakespeare play "Titus Andronicus"). One of the most beautiful and stylish actresses, Tisca is often on best dressed list and a favorite with advertisers, endorsing brands like Tanishq, Titan Eye Wear, Olay, Horlicks, Marks & Spencers, Godrej, Bajaj Motors and Kellogs. Tisca Chopra is the grand-niece of prominent Indian writer Khushwant Singh. She is married to Capt. Sanjay , who is a pilot with Air India. They have one daughter and live in Mumbai.
Uday Sodhi
EVP and Head – Digital Business, SonyLIV
Uday Sodhi has been heading the digital and new media business at SPN for the SonyLIV platform since 2014. SonyLIV is SPN’s premium Video on demand (VOD) service providing multi-screen engagement to users on all devices. Launched in January 2013, it enables users to discover 22 years of rich content from the network channels of Sony Pictures Networks’ Pvt. Ltd. SonyLIV refreshed its brand identity in December 2017. The renewed brand ethos “We LIV to Entertain” promises to make SonyLIV the ultimate destination for rich entertainment across genres, screen types and audience preferences. With the best sporting action line-up, this year from cricketing extravaganza of India series, biggest football tournament like UEFA Champions league, UEFA Europa League along with other adrenaline sports like WWE, Moto GP, SonyLIV is all set to continue to enthrall its audience. At SPN, Uday is responsible for driving SPN’s OTT platform’s growth trajectory and revenue streams of the new media initiatives by broadening the networks’ horizons to digital and mobile businesses and has over 27 years of experience across varied broadcast and digital business verticals.
Vikram Bhatt
Director, Writer, Producer
Vikram Bhatt (born 1969 in Mumbai) is an Indian film director, actor, producer and screenwriter. He is a master storyteller having made some of the finest movies namely Footpath, Raaz, Ankahee, 1920, Shapit among others.
Bhatt's movies, 1920: Evil Returns's social media promotion campaign was studied by Indian Institute of Management Bangalore. The management institute assessed Internet activities and campaigns; the team finally establish the connection between box office collections and promotions on social media. This case study is published by Harvard Business Publishing and is being used by students in the US, Canada, Norway, Slovenia and Sri Lanka.
He is currently a pioneer in the web entertainment space creating original content for his Youtube channel and also OTT networks.
Bhatt's movies, 1920: Evil Returns's social media promotion campaign was studied by Indian Institute of Management Bangalore. The management institute assessed Internet activities and campaigns; the team finally establish the connection between box office collections and promotions on social media. This case study is published by Harvard Business Publishing and is being used by students in the US, Canada, Norway, Slovenia and Sri Lanka.
He is currently a pioneer in the web entertainment space creating original content for his Youtube channel and also OTT networks.
Vivek Bhargava
Chief Executive Officer, DAN Performance Group
A digital marketing veteran with a two-decade experience, Vivek Bhargava is the Chief Executive Officer of DAN Performance Group, wherein he heads all the digital performance agencies of Dentsu Aegis Network and is responsible for their growth along with expansion of the DAN Performance Group through additional acquisitions in the performance space.An early frontrunner in the digital revolution in India, Vivek believes that ‘digital’ is much more than a mere marketing medium, playing the role of a catalyst and multiplier across every aspect of business.
Prior to this, Vivek was the CEO atiProspect India, a part of the Dentsu Aegis Network.
Vivek has donned the role of an investor in the reality television show The Vault which funds innovative start-ups by promising entrepreneurs on the merit of their business idea instantly. He has invested in companies Foodebaba, Awesummly, Chimera, Eon energy, Box.aithrough the show.
Vivek is the proud owner of team Shazé Challengers in the Ultimate Tennis Table league, the country's first-ever professional table tennis league jointly sponsored by Shazéand iProspect India.
He is a TEDx speaker and has delivered two talks in the past on “How money can buy happiness” and “Happiness is a muscle”.
He is a regular orator at global events such as ad:tech, SES, SMX, I-com and the Apex Digital conferences in India. He has also been invited by various educational institutes of repute, namely IIT Mumbai, IIM Bangalore and 20 others to give guest lectures.
He is the Co-Chair at SEMPO APAC and on the advisory board of industry bodies like ad:tech, DMAi and DMTI. He is on the board of Young Presidents Organization Mumbai and was associated with The Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO)too earlier.
Vivek has been awarded in an individual capacity for his invaluable contribution to the digital marketing fraternity on several occasions, couple of the coveted recognitions being titled ‘Marketer of the Year’ and named one of the top 50 digital icons of India.Under his able leadership, iProspect India has won over 100 industry awards globally.
Vivek actualized his entrepreneurial edge back in 1997 when he founded Communicate 2. The company joined hands with iProspect from the Dentsu Aegis Network in 2012. He led iProspect Communicate 2 as the Founder and Managing Director. The company was rebranded as iProspect India at the end of 2015 and Vivek held reign as Chief Executive Officer from then to 2016.He is now elevated to a senior role within DAN – CEO of DAN Performance Group. iProspect India is home to over 300 people across four offices in Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru and Chennai.It offers brands an entire spectrum of result-oriented digital marketing strategies. DAN Performance Group includes iProspect India along with SVG Media. SVG Media has four business units, namely DGM (focused on banking, financial service and e-commerce clients), Komli (premium digital marketing through Facebook and Twitter), SeventyNine (mobile-focused advertising platform) and Tyroo (ad-tech platform).
Vivek is a proud national level table tennis player and has won multiple laurels in the sport worldwide, one of the highlights being when Vivek bagged the bronze medal in the 39+ table tennis nationals held in 2015 and a gold medal in the state championship in 2017. He is also an avid chess player and an amateur paragliding pilot. A complete travel buff and lover of new experiences, he has travelled to more than 55 countries in the world on various projects and tournaments.
Connect with Vivek on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Prior to this, Vivek was the CEO atiProspect India, a part of the Dentsu Aegis Network.
Vivek has donned the role of an investor in the reality television show The Vault which funds innovative start-ups by promising entrepreneurs on the merit of their business idea instantly. He has invested in companies Foodebaba, Awesummly, Chimera, Eon energy, Box.aithrough the show.
Vivek is the proud owner of team Shazé Challengers in the Ultimate Tennis Table league, the country's first-ever professional table tennis league jointly sponsored by Shazéand iProspect India.
He is a TEDx speaker and has delivered two talks in the past on “How money can buy happiness” and “Happiness is a muscle”.
He is a regular orator at global events such as ad:tech, SES, SMX, I-com and the Apex Digital conferences in India. He has also been invited by various educational institutes of repute, namely IIT Mumbai, IIM Bangalore and 20 others to give guest lectures.
He is the Co-Chair at SEMPO APAC and on the advisory board of industry bodies like ad:tech, DMAi and DMTI. He is on the board of Young Presidents Organization Mumbai and was associated with The Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO)too earlier.
Vivek has been awarded in an individual capacity for his invaluable contribution to the digital marketing fraternity on several occasions, couple of the coveted recognitions being titled ‘Marketer of the Year’ and named one of the top 50 digital icons of India.Under his able leadership, iProspect India has won over 100 industry awards globally.
Vivek actualized his entrepreneurial edge back in 1997 when he founded Communicate 2. The company joined hands with iProspect from the Dentsu Aegis Network in 2012. He led iProspect Communicate 2 as the Founder and Managing Director. The company was rebranded as iProspect India at the end of 2015 and Vivek held reign as Chief Executive Officer from then to 2016.He is now elevated to a senior role within DAN – CEO of DAN Performance Group. iProspect India is home to over 300 people across four offices in Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru and Chennai.It offers brands an entire spectrum of result-oriented digital marketing strategies. DAN Performance Group includes iProspect India along with SVG Media. SVG Media has four business units, namely DGM (focused on banking, financial service and e-commerce clients), Komli (premium digital marketing through Facebook and Twitter), SeventyNine (mobile-focused advertising platform) and Tyroo (ad-tech platform).
Vivek is a proud national level table tennis player and has won multiple laurels in the sport worldwide, one of the highlights being when Vivek bagged the bronze medal in the 39+ table tennis nationals held in 2015 and a gold medal in the state championship in 2017. He is also an avid chess player and an amateur paragliding pilot. A complete travel buff and lover of new experiences, he has travelled to more than 55 countries in the world on various projects and tournaments.
Connect with Vivek on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Wiz Sabbas Joseph
Founder & Director, Wizcraft International Entertainment Pvt. Ltd
Founder-director of Wizcraft International Entertainment, India’s premiere Experiential Marketing and Event Management company along with his partners Andre Timmins and Viraf Sarkari, Sabbas Joseph is considered as one of the founding fathers of the Rs. 15000 cr. event management business in India.
A master’s degree holder in political science from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai; Wiz Sabbas spent almost a decade as a journalist holding editorial positions across some of the country’s leading publications.
As founder-director of Wizcraft International Entertainment, over the past 25 years Wiz Sabbas Joseph has spearheaded and managed several events for the company which included some of the best events that India has witnessed in the past two decades.
These include, the 50 years of Indian Independence celebrations, The Michael Jackson concert, The Indian Millennium celebrations, ceremonies for The New Delhi Commonwealth Games, the CWG handover ceremony in Melbourne, the first Afro Asian games, Independence Day celebrations in Kargil, 30 years of Mauritian Independence, visits by US Presidents, George Bush, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, the Global Citizen festival featuring Coldplay and Jay Zamong several others.
Wizcraft are the promoters and producers of the International Indian Film Academy and the IIFA Awards, which are held at exotic locations across the world, for the promotion of Indian cinema. The IIFAs are widely considered as the world’s largest event featuring Indian entertainment.
Wizcraft has been a part of some of the most successful international brand launches in the country and India visits of leading international dignitaries have been handled by the company.
Wiz Sabbas Joseph is a faculty-member and guest lecturer at leading management and communication institutes in the country and is today recognized as a leading thinker in the field of unconventional media. He is also an active member of the entertainment committees of FICCI and CII.
Wiz Joseph was elected President of the Event & Entertainment Management Association (EEMA), India’s apex body for the industry. His pioneering role has ensured a distinct momentum that reflects thought leadership as well as proactive action that the Indian event industry is now being recognized for.
A master’s degree holder in political science from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai; Wiz Sabbas spent almost a decade as a journalist holding editorial positions across some of the country’s leading publications.
As founder-director of Wizcraft International Entertainment, over the past 25 years Wiz Sabbas Joseph has spearheaded and managed several events for the company which included some of the best events that India has witnessed in the past two decades.
These include, the 50 years of Indian Independence celebrations, The Michael Jackson concert, The Indian Millennium celebrations, ceremonies for The New Delhi Commonwealth Games, the CWG handover ceremony in Melbourne, the first Afro Asian games, Independence Day celebrations in Kargil, 30 years of Mauritian Independence, visits by US Presidents, George Bush, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, the Global Citizen festival featuring Coldplay and Jay Zamong several others.
Wizcraft are the promoters and producers of the International Indian Film Academy and the IIFA Awards, which are held at exotic locations across the world, for the promotion of Indian cinema. The IIFAs are widely considered as the world’s largest event featuring Indian entertainment.
Wizcraft has been a part of some of the most successful international brand launches in the country and India visits of leading international dignitaries have been handled by the company.
Wiz Sabbas Joseph is a faculty-member and guest lecturer at leading management and communication institutes in the country and is today recognized as a leading thinker in the field of unconventional media. He is also an active member of the entertainment committees of FICCI and CII.
Wiz Joseph was elected President of the Event & Entertainment Management Association (EEMA), India’s apex body for the industry. His pioneering role has ensured a distinct momentum that reflects thought leadership as well as proactive action that the Indian event industry is now being recognized for.