Sunil Punjabi to head AXN Networks India

In the newly created role of General Manager and Business Head, India, Punjabi will be based in Mumbai

BestMediaInfo Bureau | Delhi | August 18, 2012

Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia has appointed Sunil Punjabi to lead its Indian operations 'AXN Networks India' that runs English entertainment channel AXN in India. In the newly created role of General Manager and Business Head, India, Punjabi is based in the company's Mumbai office to lead its local team in all business functions, with the responsibility for the profitability for SPT's networks in India.

Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia, based in Singapore, operates five ad-supported 24/7 channel brands in the region which are wholly-owned by Sony Pictures which are AXN, beTV, Sony Entertainment Television, Animax and ONE. Currently, SPT has one channel AXN in India while Sony Entertainment Television is run by Multi Screen Media (MSM) in India.

Overseeing the day-to-day management of the channels, Punjabi will develop business opportunities and channel equity. He will lead the team in developing the go-to-market strategy for new channels as well as oversee the development, acquisition and production of a content mix for SPT's networks in India. Punjabi is also charged with driving marketing strategies to grow the channel brands and to pursue further distribution opportunities. He reports to Ricky Ow, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Networks, Asia, Sony Pictures Television, who is based in the company's regional head office in Singapore.

Punjabi brings 12 years of well-rounded experience in the Indian media and entertainment industry across key business functions including advertising sales, marketing, theatrical exhibition, business development, production, distribution, and operations.

“We are pleased to welcome Sunil to drive our business in India. His acumen and experience across all functions will be key assets to lead our channels to greater heights in one of Asia's largest and most competitive TV markets,” said Ow.

Punjabi joins the company from one of India's top three film exhibition chains, Cinemax India Ltd., where he served as Chief Executive Officer from 2010. Prior to that, he worked at Multi Screen Media Pvt. Ltd. where he was Senior Vice President for Business Development, leading the new media, mobile telephony and syndication divisions' integration with the company's sports and music TV channels.

From 2006 – 2010, Punjabi was instrumental in the formation in Fox Star Studios, the joint venture between Twentieth Century Fox and Star TV where he was responsible for business development, movie acquisitions, deal structuring, syndication and exploitation of movie rights across all media platforms. He was also involved in major films including Slumdog Millionaire and My Name is Khan.

From 2000 – 2006, Punjabi cut his teeth in strategic planning, marketing and advertising sales through his tenures at Fame India Ltd, Fashion TV India, and Zee Telefilms Ltd. respectively. He holds an MBA in Marketing from K.J. Somaiya Institute of Management Studies, and a Bachelor degree in engineering from Sardar Patel College of Engineering.

Info@BestMediaInfo.com

Info@BestMediaInfo.com