AXN business head Sunil Punjabi moves on

He spent over two years at the channel.

Punjabi had joined the company in August 2012 from Cinemax where he served as the CEO. He became a part of the network before the Indian promoters of Multi Screen Media (MSM) exited the venture. Later in the year 2012, Sony Pictures Television, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Pictures Entertainment, upped its stake in MSM to 94 per cent.

When Punjabi joined AXN, he use to report to Ricky Ow, executive vice-president and general manager, networks, Asia, Sony Pictures Television.

However, at the time of his exit, he was reporting to Saurabh Yagnik. Yagnik was promoted to head - English channels of the network. It was a newly created position for the Sony Pix EVP and business head to fill in.

Punjabi has over 14 years of experience. He started his career with Zee Telefilms as ad sales executive in 2000. After a year, he moved to Fashion TV, India as head of marketing.

Subsequently, he shifted to the multiplex, Fame India in strategic planning in 2003. In 2006, he joined Star TV as business development manager. Between 2007 and 2009, Punjabi played an important role in the formation of Fox Star Studios, the joint venture between Twentieth Century Fox and Star TV, where he was responsible for business development, movie acquisition, deal structuring, syndication and exploitation of movie rights across all media platforms.

Later, he worked at Multi Screen Media as senior vice-president for business development, leading the new media, mobile telephony and syndication divisions' integration with the company's sports and music TV channels.

In 2010, he moved to join Cinemax as CEO and served there till May 25, 2012.

He holds an MBA degree from KJ Somaiya Institute. He completed his post graduation in business management in 2000.