Times Network rejigs top leadership, elevates Rahul Shivshankar to editorial director

Times Network rejigs top leadership, elevates Rahul Shivshankar to editorial director

The network is gearing up for launch of Times Now Navbharat and ET Now Swadesh

Times Network

Mumbai: The Times Network on Tuesday announced key appointments and elevations in its leadership team. On the editorial front, Rahul Shivshankar has been elevated to editorial director. In addition to the new role, he will continue to lead the editorial mandate of Times Now as its editor-in-chief.

The announcement comes at a time when the broadcast network is gearing up for the launch of its Hindi news channels, Times Now Navbharat HD and ET Now Swadesh. On Monday, the company named Times Network group editor Navika Kumar as the editor-in-chief of the new channel.

Times Network, MD and CEO, MK Anand said, "2020 was a tumultuous year for the broadcasters and while we were severely tested by the pandemic, Times Network not just managed to harness every headwind in its path but continued to march ahead successfully by setting new industry benchmarks. The superior talent of our leadership team is one of key pillars that drove the network’s significant growth during these unprecedented times and accelerated our overall digital transformation efforts. Their elevations are a recognition of their contribution to the growth of the company.”

Strengthening its digital portfolio, the company has elevated Vivek Srivastava to president, strategy & operations – Broadcast & Digital. He will lead the digital operations of the network and oversee product strategy, audience development and operations planning for both digital and broadcast businesses.

Savvy Dilip has been appointed as executive vice president & head- digital growth. Savvy will lead product development, content led audience growth, technology based digital consumer experiences, social media amplification and online marketing for all the digital platforms of the Network. A seasoned professional, Savvy brings in-depth expertise across Marketing, Media, Product, Technology and Entrepreneurship. In her new role, Savvy will be reporting to Vivek Srivastava.

Other senior management promotions include Manish Wadkar, senior vice president & head - Legal, Pranav Bakshi, senior vice president – digital, Hina Jafri, vice president & head – Corporate Communications, Poonam Bavdanker, vice president – Human Resources, Saurabh Bhowal, vice president & head – content and programming, Zoom & The Zoom Studios and Mihir Bhatt, vice president & executive editor, Times Influence.

Continuing to play a pivotal role in aiding the Network’s growth, leadership team comprising Jagdish Mulchandani – chief operating Officer and executive president, Jignesh Kenia, executive vice president & head – corporate strategy & digital transformation, Gaurav Dhawan, executive vice president - revenue and S. Srivathsan as executive vice president and Head - human resources will drive their respective portfolios for the Network.