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Gaurav Dewani returns to Times Network as EVP
Media sales veteran rejoins to drive branded content and revenue growth
MUMBAI: In a full-circle moment that feels almost scripted, Gaurav Dewani is back where a significant part of his media journey unfolded. He has joined Times Network as executive vice president, marking a return to familiar turf with a sharper playbook and a wider lens on content-led revenue.
Dewani steps into the role with over two decades of experience across television, digital and on-ground ecosystems, bringing with him a reputation for turning ideas into monetisable media properties. His career has been defined by a steady climb through the ranks of India’s evolving media business, with a consistent focus on branded content, advertiser-funded programming and large-scale intellectual properties.
Most recently, he served as revenue head at NDTV, where he led the content business alongside his team, crafting brand solutions across general news and business news platforms spanning television, digital and on-ground formats. His stint saw the execution of several high-visibility campaigns and marquee properties, including initiatives in health, sustainability, defence and infrastructure, as well as flagship events and awards.
Before that, Dewani spent over five years at Times Network in senior leadership roles, including senior vice president and vice president and national sales head. During this period, he worked on building large-format projects and intellectual properties while driving monetisation across the network’s digital and television portfolios. His remit included strengthening advertiser partnerships, scaling branded content divisions and unlocking new revenue streams.
His earlier roles include vice president and business head at Zee Entertainment Enterprises, where he blended music, comedy and live experiences into brand-led platforms, and vice president of sales at CA-Media, part of the Chernin Asia group, where he worked on sponsorship-led growth across festivals and live content. He also held leadership roles at The Walt Disney Company, Times Network in an earlier stint, Network18 and Hindustan Times, steadily building a career at the intersection of content and commerce.
An executive MBA from the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta adds academic polish to a career shaped largely on the ground, in boardrooms and on event floors alike.
With his return to Times Network, Dewani is expected to double down on branded content and integrated media solutions, at a time when advertisers are increasingly seeking storytelling that travels seamlessly across screens and experiences. If his track record is any indication, the network may be gearing up for a few more headline-grabbing properties of its own.
People
BBC appoints Matt Brittin as 18th Director-General
Former Google EMEA president to lead broadcaster from May amid global change
LONDON: The BBC has named Matt Brittin as its 18th Director-General, placing a seasoned technology and media leader at the helm of one of the world’s most influential public broadcasters. He will formally assume the role on 18 May.
Brittin steps into the position after a brief “gap year”, as he described it, returning to the spotlight with a job that, in his own words, was “probably not one either you or I were expecting”. The appointment signals a strategic tilt towards digital expertise at a time when traditional broadcasting continues to evolve at pace.
The new Director-General brings more than 18 years of experience from Google, where he held several senior roles, including President for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. During his tenure, he played a central role in expanding the company’s footprint across Europe and shaping its regional strategy.
More recently, Brittin served as Senior Independent Director at The Guardian, adding boardroom insight from one of Britain’s leading news organisations. His career also spans roles at McKinsey, Trinity Mirror and Sainsbury’s, giving him a broad perspective across media, retail and strategy.
The Director-General position carries dual responsibility as chief executive officer and editor-in-chief, overseeing the BBC’s creative, editorial and operational direction both in the UK and globally. It is a role that demands not just leadership, but a steady editorial compass in an increasingly complex media landscape.
“Now, more than ever, we need a thriving BBC that works for everyone in a complex, uncertain and fast changing world,” Brittin said. He added that the broadcaster remains “an extraordinary, uniquely British asset” with a legacy of innovation in storytelling and technology.
His appointment comes at a moment when public service broadcasters are under pressure to balance tradition with transformation, navigating shifting audience habits, digital disruption and funding debates. Brittin’s blend of Silicon Valley scale and British media sensibility may prove timely.
With “big challenges and big opportunities” ahead, Brittin appears ready to get started. The real test begins in May, when he moves from anticipation to action at Broadcasting House.
