Times Television Network promotes Hemant Arora as business head, branded content

Branded content is a new business unit that will focus on customised solutions and properties that enhance value for clients.

Times Television Network (TTN) has promoted Hemant Arora as business head of the Branded Content business for its channels ET Now, Times Now and Zoom. Branded Content is a new business unit that will focus on customised solutions and properties that enhance value for clients.

Arora will continue to report to Avinash Kaul, chief executive officer of ET Now, Times Now and Zoom. In 2011, Arora moved to Times TV Network from the Bhaskar Group to head the sales function of the company's broadcast business.

Branded Content of TTN works across the network's assets to create integrated solutions for brands. The offering is built around the philosophy of co-creating contextual conversations for brands and engaging audiences with integrated messages across multiple touch-points in a relevant context.

Times Television Network has so far created branded content solutions for brands across its channels and the network eco-system in the form of properties such as 'Mahindra Rise presents Amazing Indians', 'Kent Mineral RO presents The Foodie Awards', 'Lufthansa Pioneering Spirits', 'Vodafone Drive Into The Big League', 'IndiaMart Leaders of Tomorrow and others.

Speaking on the appointment, Kaul says, "We believe that Branded Content will provide our customers the impact and engagement that will help accelerate the growth of their business and hence it is seminal to our own business strategy. We are pleased to have Hemant Arora at the helm to define the direction of this key business unit and ensure the highest standards in value delivery to our customers. Under his able leadership, we intend to build best in class capability and resultant business, to lead the marketplace."

Arora has more than 16 years of experience in media sales, including print, internet and television. He started his career at the Times of India as senior officer in 1997.

In the early years of his career, Arora worked at Eternal Dream as regional head, sales, and at Discovery Networks India, where he was assistant manager. He also worked for Automartindia.com, where he was assistant manager, media and brand communication.

Arora, thereafter, went on to work with NDTV Media for seven years (February 2003-April 2010). At NDTV, he was responsible for ad sales revenue of multiple platforms including NDTV news channels (NDTV India, NDTV Profit), NDTV Good Times, Sahara Network (Sahara One, Filmy, Firangi) and SAB TV Network (Mi Marathi), apart from driving sales strategy and managing client and partner relationships.

Later, he went on to work with Aidem Ventures as senior vice-president. There, Arora was responsible for ad sales revenue, business planning and sales strategy development and implementation across NDTV Profit, NDTV Good Times, Mi Marathi and Radio Dhamaal.

This was followed by the tenure at the Dainik Bhaskar Group, where he was chief officer, marketing and corporate sales. He joined the company in December, 2010 and was responsible for the overall marketing and sales functions of the group.

On his new role, Arora says, "Times Television Network is at the forefront of using innovation that powers value addition to the advertiser, while further strengthening connect with the audience. Over the last two years, we have worked to bring into our fold best of class capabilities and learning from Indian and global markets to provide advertisers solutions which are true to the spirit of Branded Content. As of today, we are fully capable of providing end-to-end turnkey solutions to our clients. I am excited to take on this opportunity that will see the creation of a future-ready business unit within the network and build stronger and long term strategic partnerships with our clients."