ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (ZEEL) has announced a significant leadership change, elevating company veteran Laxmi Shetty to the role of Head – Advertisement Revenue, Broadcast & Digital. This move comes as Ashish Sehgal, who served as the Chief Growth Officer – Ad Sales, Broadcast & Digital, has stepped down from his position after nearly two decades with the organization.
According to a company press release, Ashish Sehgal’s departure is for “personal reasons,” and ZEE has “mutually agreed to part ways” as he prepares to explore new professional avenues. Sehgal’s tenure was marked by his central role in strengthening ZEE’s ad sales leadership and navigating a period of rapid transformation in the media landscape. In an email to MD & CEO Punit Goenka, Sehgal described his time at the company as an “incredible journey.”
Laxmi Shetty’s elevation is effective immediately. She will now spearhead ZEE’s monetization strategy across its extensive television and digital portfolio, reporting directly to Punit Goenka. With over 20 years of experience within ZEE’s revenue ecosystem, Shetty has been instrumental in cultivating key client partnerships and developing integrated ad solutions that have consistently driven growth. Her appointment is seen as a strategic step to ensure continuity and a renewed focus on enhancing revenue in a highly competitive market.
ZEE stated that the elevation aligns with its broader goal of “accelerating financial growth and unlocking new opportunities for advertisers.” The company’s press release emphasized a commitment to “nurture an entrepreneurial spirit” and “empower the management team to build leaders of tomorrow,” highlighting Shetty’s promotion as a prime example of this philosophy in action.
The leadership transition occurs at a crucial time for ZEEL, which is navigating a challenging media environment marked by a shift towards digital platforms and a competitive ad market. The company’s Q1 FY26 advertising revenue saw a 17% year-on-year drop, a trend that underscores the importance of a strong and focused ad sales strategy.
Key Highlights:
- Leadership Transition: ZEE Entertainment has elevated Laxmi Shetty to Head of Advertisement Revenue for both its broadcast and digital platforms, following the departure of Chief Growth Officer Ashish Sehgal.
- Sehgal’s Exit: Ashish Sehgal, a two-decade veteran at ZEE, has stepped down for personal reasons, marking the end of a significant era for the company’s ad sales leadership.
- Shetty’s New Mandate: Laxmi Shetty, who has been with ZEE for over 20 years, will now lead the company’s monetization strategy, reporting directly to CEO Punit Goenka, with a focus on strengthening advertiser relationships and driving growth.
- Strategic Move for Growth: The company stated that the leadership change is part of a broader strategy to accelerate financial growth and empower its internal talent, especially as it faces a challenging advertising market.