K Madhavan is Disney & Star India's new Country Manager

K Madhavan has been named as the new Country Manager of Disney and Star India. The development comes after Sanjay Gupta stepped from the position to join Google as its new Country Manager and Vice President of Sales and Operations for India last month.

Now, all functional heads will be reporting Madhavan, who will further report to Uday Shankar, President, The Walt Disney Company, Asia Pacific, and Chairman, Star and Disney India.

Uday Shankar, President, The Walt Disney Company, Asia Pacific, and Chairman, Star and Disney India, said, “As you are aware, Sanjay Gupta has decided to move on and has requested to be relieved of his responsibilities at Star by end of this month. Sanjay's last working day will be December 27, 2019. In order to create minimum disruption to the business, I have decided that K Madhavan, who has built our regional entertainment business, will now look after all our TV businesses across markets and verticals.”

“All of Sanjay's direct reports will report to K Madhavan. Please join me in congratulating him on his new role; I am confident he will bring great glory and success to Star. For the time being, I shall have direct oversight on Hotsar, and Hotstar leadership will work directly with me,” he further stated.

Since 2016, Madhavan was Managing Director of South Business, Star India. He is credited with have led the development and growth of the entire television market in the South region. Presently, Madhavan oversees the business ventures of Star in four southern states and a portfolio of regional channels in Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu.

Shankar added, “Nitin Bawankule, who has recently taken charge of ad sales of HSM, Sports and Hotstar, will report to K Madhavan for the TV business and will work directly with me for Hotstar sales.”