NDTV has appointed industry veteran Hersh Bhandari as Brand Advisor and Head of NDTV CoLab, an initiative centred on integrating brand partnerships, branded content, original IPs and cross-platform experiences.
NDTV introduced CoLab in July 2026 as the new avatar of its branded content and brand-solutions business, which previously operated as NDTV Brand Studio.
Commenting on the appointment, Rahul Kanwal, CEO & Editor-in-Chief, NDTV said, "As brands look for deeper and more meaningful audience engagement, NDTV CoLab will bring together the credibility of NDTV's flagship news brands with innovative, content-led partnerships. Hersh combines deep commercial expertise with a proven ability to build businesses and create value for brands. He will drive the next phase of growth in NDTV CoLab opportunities."
Rahul Shaw, Chief Business Officer, NDTV added, "Having worked closely with Hersh in the past, I have seen his ability to build strong partnerships and create effective solutions for brands. He brings deep industry relationships, strategic thinking and an entrepreneurial mindset. I am delighted to welcome him to the team and look forward to working with him as we grow NDTV CoLab."
Bhandari brings nearly three decades of experience across media, business strategy, marketing, branded content, revenue growth and new-business development roles. At Republic World, where he most recently served as Chief Executive Officer, Bhandari led the network's business operations, overseeing strategic growth, commercial expansion and the development of new business verticals. He joined the Network during the run-up to the launch of Republic Bharat as Executive Vice President–Revenue, and went on to become Group Chief Operating Officer in February 2022.
Before his stint at Republic, Bhandari served as National Revenue Head at India Today Television. Prior to that, he spent six years with Times Network. He has also previously worked with media companies including Star Group and Mastiii.
On his new role, Bhandari said, "The most powerful brand ideas today are co-created. They emerge from a shared understanding of what matters to both brands and audiences. NDTV CoLab presents a unique opportunity to bring together storytelling, creators, platforms and partners to build distinctive properties, experiences and conversations that create lasting value."
The appointment marks his return to NDTV. Between 2003 and 2009, he held leadership positions across NDTV India, network sales and new-business initiatives.
