Mumbai: Turner International India has prmoted Dhawal Katkar as senior director and network head for the English vertical.

In his new capacity, Katkar will take on newer responsibilities for managing integrated communications and the content portfolio of Turner?s English vertical which includes HBO and WB.

Over the last two years, Katkar has been instrumental in leading marketing communications for the kids segment and his new role comes into effect immediately.

Katkar will report to Turner International India managing director south Asia Siddharth Jain.

Jain said, ?It gives me great pleasure to announce the appointment of Dhawal Katkar as Senior Director and Network Head for English vertical. He brings attributes including a sharp marketing brain, a sound understanding of our brands and past experience of FMCG and consumer products and has the credentials to take this key vertical to the next level of success. I congratulate Dhawal and look forward to working with him to achieve more in an increasingly competitive market.?
 
Dhawal has over 14 years of experience in the FMCG industry with various consumer brands. After he joined Turner in April 2011, Dhawal led multiple on-air and on-ground communications programme for kids. Dhawal has also been responsible for various digital campaigns for WB that has helped build reach by driving online traffic to the channel via real time innovative contests.

Mumbai: Viacom18 Media, one of India?s leading entertainment companies, has appointed Ajit Andhare, as the chief operating officer of its film business - Viacom18 Motion Pictures.

Joining today, Andhare will be responsible for the growth and profitability of Viacom18 Motion Pictures and will be reporting to Viacom18 Media Group CEO Sudhanshu Vats. In this role, Ajit will also lead Viacom18 Motion Pictures? distribution alliance with Paramount Pictures.

He replaces Vikram Malhotra, who put-in his papers, some time back, to pursue his entrepreneurial interests. Andhare had last week stepped down from his post as Colosceum Media CEO which he founded, along with Capital18.

Vats said, "In Ajit, we?ve found the right leader to drive Viacom18 Motion Pictures to the next level of growth & profitability. His passion for films coupled with his education and experience across varied fields like Engineering, Marketing and Creative production give him the edge to build a Business that would become a benchmark in the industry."

With an experience of over 17 years in FMCG and media, Andhare has worked with Unilever in India and Asia Pacific region for over 12 years across sales, general management and marketing roles. He holds an MBA from the Indian School of Business & B Tech from REC Rourkela.

Andhare said, "The fundamentals of Motion Pictures business in India are improving with growth in digital distribution, multiplex screens, emerging digital platforms and above all success of high content cinema. It?s a great opportunity to lead one of country?s premier studios recognized for its distinguished work in this exciting context."

Over the last two years, Viacom18 Motion Pictures has had hits like ?Tanu Weds Manu?, ?Pyaar Ka Punchnama?, ?Shaitan?; and super hits like ?Kahaani?, ?Gangs of Wasseypur?, ?OMG - Oh My God!?, ?Son of Sardaar? and the recently released ?Special 26? and ?Saheb Biwi Gangster Returns?.

Through its strategic alliance with Paramount Pictures, Viacom18 Motion Pictures also released some of the biggest Hollywood grosses in India, like ?Transformers: Dark of the Moon? and ?Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol?.