MUMBAI — Executive media leader Ankit Pandey has joined Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) as Group Head – Ad Sales (Sports), marking his second stint with the network.
Pandey transitions to SPNI from JioStar, where he served as Associate Director – Sports (TV & Digital) for nearly two years. He previously held a key sales role at Sony Pictures Networks India between January 2021 and May 2023, alongside prior commercial leadership experience at Viacom18.
Key Executive Highlights
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New Strategic Role: Group Head – Ad Sales (Sports) at Sony Pictures Networks India.
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Prior Tenures: Associate Director – Sports (TV & Digital) at JioStar; previous positions across Viacom18 and SPNI.
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Focus Mandate: Monetization, brand partnerships, and ad sales strategy across Sony’s linear and digital sports broadcasting portfolio.
Strategic Context & Industry Impact
Pandey’s appointment comes at a crucial phase for India’s sports broadcasting landscape, driven by escalating competition for multi-platform ad spend across live cricket, international football, and marquee sporting properties. Bringing extensive cross-platform experience across linear television and OTT streaming formats, Pandey will lead revenue optimization strategies, strategic agency alignments, and high-value advertiser partnerships for Sony’s sports division.
