ABP Network has made a significant strategic hire, announcing that Rajat Uppal has been onboarded as the Business Head for their soon-to-be-launched ‘Concerts & Large Events’ vertical. This move marks ABP Network’s major foray into the booming experiential marketing and live entertainment industry in India, leveraging Uppal’s two decades of expertise.
Rajat Uppal, a seasoned media and marketing professional, recently stepped down from his role at Stage Aaj Tak, the consumer events vertical of India Today Group, which he helped launch in January 2025. His tenure at Stage Aaj Tak included successfully orchestrating the ‘Millionaire Tour with Yo Yo Honey Singh’, which set a new national benchmark as the biggest comeback tour for any artist in India. Prior to his pioneering work in consumer events, Uppal served as the National Marketing & Programming Head at India Today Group’s Radio Network, 104.8 Ishq FM.
The appointment signals ABP Network’s intent to diversify its portfolio and tap into the fast-growing demand for live, content-led experiences.
Sumanta Datta, CEO, ABP Network, expressed his enthusiasm for the new leadership and initiative: “We are excited to on-board Rajat at ABP. Rajat brings in two decades of brand & media marketing experience and with him being part of the ABP network, we are looking at building some exciting initiatives including the events vertical. Together, we aim to create events which will deliver memorable consumer experiences.”
Uppal, whose career includes senior leadership positions at prominent media houses like RED FM, HT Media, and Reliance Broadcast, is poised to drive the new vertical’s strategy. “Excited to start my innings at the ABP Network. With the experiential industry in India on a boom, looking forward to building a new business vertical which will focus on delivering world class event experiences,” said Uppal. His successful career is widely recognized for blending strategic thinking with creative execution in brand building and the development of event IPs.
This strategic onboarding is set to position ABP Network as a major player in the live events space, promising to deliver large-format, high-impact concerts and experiential properties.
Key Highlights:
- Key Appointment: ABP Network has hired Rajat Uppal as the Business Head for its forthcoming ‘Concerts & Large Events’ vertical.
- Strategic Expansion: The move signals ABP Network’s major entry into the thriving experiential marketing and live events industry in India.
- Industry Expertise: Uppal brings two decades of experience, having previously launched and headed Stage Aaj Tak (India Today Group’s consumer events vertical) and executed the record-setting ‘Millionaire Tour with Yo Yo Honey Singh’.
- Leadership Goal: The new vertical aims to create innovative event IPs and deliver “memorable” and “world class event experiences,” leveraging Uppal’s expertise in brand building and event IP development.