Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has bolstered its senior leadership team with the appointment of Ankur Shrivastava as Associate Vice President, effective December 2025. Based in Bengaluru, Shrivastava will spearhead the broadcaster’s revenue operations and commercial strategy for the critical South India market.
Shrivastava, who announced his transition via LinkedIn, is tasked with optimizing revenue contributions for SPNI’s Hindi General Entertainment Channels (GEC) across the southern region, ensuring alignment with the network’s overarching national business goals.
In his new capacity, Shrivastava will lead ad sales initiatives and craft region-specific business models to enhance SPNI’s market share. His role is pivotal in navigating the competitive landscape of the South, where local and national broadcasters vie for advertiser attention.
Primary Responsibilities Include:
- Revenue Optimization: Delivering and scaling revenue for Hindi GEC properties in the South region.
- Relationship Management: Cultivating high-level partnerships with leading media agencies and national advertisers.
- Market Intelligence: Tracking competitor pricing, content trends, and inventory management to support strategic business planning.
- Team Leadership: Mentoring and guiding high-performance sales teams to achieve regional targets.
Ankur Shrivastava brings over 13 years of specialized experience in business development and strategic media partnerships. His career is marked by a deep understanding of integrated media solutions and a proven track record in monetizing high-profile content.
- JioStar (2025): Served as Director – LCS, managing integrated media solution sales and key accounts.
- Viacom18–Star Network (7 Years): Held leadership roles including Director and Senior Manager. He was instrumental in driving ad revenue for Colors SD/HD and managing the Hindi movies portfolio for Star TV.
- Early Career: Gained foundational experience at 92.7 Big FM (Reliance Broadcast Network) and UBM India, focusing on radio sales and brand management.
SPNI’s decision to appoint a seasoned professional like Shrivastava underscores the network’s commitment to the South Indian market, a region that contributes significantly to the national advertising pie. His expertise in handling major categories—including FMCG, Auto, and Infrastructure—will be vital as SPNI seeks to deepen its engagement with regional clients.
By leveraging his experience with both fiction and non-fiction properties, Shrivastava is expected to introduce innovative monetization strategies that maximize Ad GRP (Gross Rating Point) share and sponsorship value for the network’s flagship channels.
Key Highlights:
- New Leadership: Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has appointed Ankur Shrivastava as Associate Vice President to lead South India revenue operations.
- Regional Focus: Based in Bengaluru, he will oversee ad sales, pricing strategy, and agency relationships for the network’s Hindi GEC portfolio in the South.
- Industry Veteran: Shrivastava brings 13+ years of experience, including recent leadership roles at JioStar and a seven-year stint at Viacom18–Star.
- Strategic Growth: His mandate involves using market intelligence and advertiser partnerships to strengthen SPNI’s commercial performance and national business alignment.