Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) announces leadership realignment
Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has announced a significant leadership realignment as part of a refreshed operating model designed to advance its vision of becoming a content‑first, platform‑agnostic and multi‑lingual entertainment company.
The restructuring aims to strengthen end‑to‑end ownership across content creation, enhance collaboration between its television channels and Sony LIV, and establish a more unified approach to monetisation and distribution across both linear and digital platforms.
Managing Director and CEO, Gaurav Banerjee, said the organisation had reviewed its operating model to ensure it was aligned with the company’s next phase of growth. He explained that SPNI is redefining its content strategy from a predominantly linear‑first approach to one that integrates both linear and digital platforms, offering audiences a seamless experience. Banerjee added that empowering teams with greater ownership and encouraging deeper collaboration would improve focus, agility and execution across the organisation, while reinforcing a customer‑centric approach.
Under the updated structure, SPNI’s content clusters will assume full responsibility for content strategy, programming, marketing and on‑air promotions across all platforms. Nachiket Pantvaidya will oversee Sony Entertainment Television (SET), Sony Marathi and the company’s movie production business. Ajay Bhalwankar will lead Sony SAB, the Movies cluster, Free‑to‑Air and Infotainment channels. Rajaraman Sundaram will spearhead SPNI’s regional expansion in South India, while Ambesh Tiwari will take charge of Sony AATH and the Kids portfolio.
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SPNI will appoint a new head for its Digital business once the succession plan is finalised. In the interim, Banerjee will directly oversee the Digital vertical.
To support a unified monetisation strategy across linear and digital operations, SPNI is consolidating key revenue functions across advertising sales, distribution, sports and international business. This combined revenue division will be led by Rajesh Kaul, who assumes the role of Chief Revenue Officer. As part of this structure, Akshay Agrawal has been elevated to Head of Linear Ad Sales, Makarand Palekar becomes Head of Linear Distribution, and Ranjana Mangla will continue to lead digital ad sales while also overseeing the company’s YouTube growth strategy. Manish Aggarwal will lead Sony LIV’s B2B and syndication business. All four executives will report to Kaul.
In other organisational updates, Gaurav Laghate will head Corporate Brand, PR and Corporate Communications, while Administration and Facilities will now fall under the Human Resources division, led by Manu Wadhwa, Chief Human Resources Officer.
