Raj Nayak, a distinguished industry veteran and accomplished entrepreneur, has spent the past five years at the helm of House of Cheer Networks, a HappTech company, where he continues to shape the future of the media landscape. With a wealth of experience in business strategy, sales, marketing, and leadership, Raj has been a driving force in reshaping and mentoring organisations across the media industry. Before venturing into entrepreneurship, he spent over eight years at Viacom18, where he served as Chief Operating Officer from 2011 to 2019. His strategic acumen and leadership have been instrumental in the growth and success of leading media networks.
Raj Nayak has nurtured and mentored many C-suite executives during his three-and-a-half-plus decades of experience. Under Raj Nayak’s mentorship, the industry has nurtured numerous leaders who are now at the helm of organisations, spearheading initiatives, and making a significant impact. He has been a key influencing factor in the professional journeys of many. Nayak started Aidem Ventures, one of the largest independent media sales, marketing and consulting companies in India, in April 2010. It helped people tap into their networks, research, and technology to monetise their assets, automate their ads and expand their market. Raj Nayak is also part of the advisory board for the advertising services firm, Yapp Advertising promoted by Atul Hegde.
Nayak started his career with Tata Economic Consultancy Services and worked with several print publications before transitioning to television. In 1993, he joined Star TV as an Area Sales Manager and gradually rose to the role of Executive Vice President over the 10 years he spent there. From 2002 to 2010, he served as the Chief Executive Officer of NDTV Media.
He is one of the most well-respected experts in the media industry because of his exceptional ability to coach others and develop novel ideas. Nayak, a happiness evangelist, finds inspiration in people from all walks of life and thinks that diversity is powerful. Many senior leaders and executives in the media industry have shared their journeys with Nayak. Through his mentorship, Raj has had a lasting impact on their careers and lives. Today, IMPACT Magazine highlights some of these leaders who have had the privilege of working with the maverick himself, Raj Nayak.
Avinash Kaul
Chief Executive Officer, Network18 ( Broadcast ) & Managing Director A+E Networks, TV18
Avinash Kaul, the CEO of Network18’s TV business, has enjoyed a successful career spanning 26 years and is widely regarded as a highly sought-after business leader, known for his proven track record, stature, and significant impact. Over the years, he has gained recognition for his leadership in the media industry.
Avinash has worked alongside Raj Nayak at both NDTV Media and Aidem Ventures, where he held key leadership roles and took on a broad range of cross-functional responsibilities. His experience includes overseeing areas such as Finance, Marketing, Strategy, Business Development, Corporate Affairs, Business Planning, as well as Administration and HR. These diverse roles have contributed to his well-rounded expertise and ability to drive business growth.
Additionally, Avinash worked closely with Nayak during their time at Star India (2001–2002) and again at NDTV (2002–2010). At Star, he led the Strategic Planning Division for the entire group of channels, where he was responsible for establishing systems and processes to optimise resource utilisation and maximise revenue for the group.
Vikram Mehra
Managing Director, Saregama
Vikram Mehra is the current Managing Director of Saregama India, a position he has held for over a decade. Prior to his tenure at Saregama, Vikram played a pivotal role in Star India’s Digital Platforms Group, established to lead Star’s entry into DTH and cable services in India, where he worked alongside Raj Nayak from 2000 to 2004.
Before stepping into the world of music and entertainment with Saregama, Vikram served as Chief Commercial Officer at Tata Sky from April 2012 to October 2014. There, he was responsible for a wide array of functions, including Subscription Revenue Management, Churn Management, Brand Marketing, New Product Development, Customer Analytics, Interactive Services, and Consumer Research, as well as overseeing Public Relations.
Vikram’s career also includes significant stints in brand management, where he oversaw Advertising, Media Buying, and PR for Tata Indica and Tata Estate. He was also deeply involved in Product Planning for the Tata Indigo, further showcasing his versatility and strategic vision.
Rohit Gopakumar
CEO, Worldwide Media
A result-oriented business leader with a creative mindset, Rohit Gopakumar has had a long and impactful career in the media industry. He worked closely with Raj Nayak during their time at NDTV (2002-2010) and Aidem Ventures (2010-2011), further solidifying his expertise in leadership and business transformation. Additionally, Gopakumar was part of the Star India team, where he worked under Nayak’s leadership for three years from 1999 to 2002.
Throughout his career, Gopakumar has developed a strong reputation for driving and managing P&Ls, leading change management initiatives, and overseeing business transitions. His leadership style is centred around building high-performing teams and fostering strong capabilities within them, ensuring that they are well-equipped to tackle complex business challenges.
Since August 2023, Rohit has been serving as the CEO of Worldwide Media, where he continues to demonstrate his ability to lead diverse teams, drive innovation, and deliver on stakeholder objectives. His expertise in adapting to evolving markets and managing disruption has been instrumental in his success. Over the years, he has honed the ability to navigate periods of change, develop strategic responses to market shifts, and lead organisations through transformation with agility and foresight.
Ashish Sehgal
Chief Growth Officer, Digital & Broadcast Revenue, ZEEL
Another prominent figure in the media industry is Ashish Sehgal, who is currently serving as the Chief Growth Officer for Digital & Broadcast Revenue at Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited. With an impressive career spanning over two decades, Sehgal has established himself as a seasoned leader in the Media & Entertainment sector, known for his ability to drive significant revenue growth.
Sehgal’s path first intersected with Raj Nayak during their time at Star India, where they worked closely together between 2000 and 2002. During his tenure at Star TV, Sehgal held a senior position at the National Head level and played an integral role in the launch of Star Gold, one of the network’s key initiatives. His contributions extended beyond the launch phase, as he took on the responsibility of overseeing the sales strategy for the entire network, driving performance across multiple platforms.
Throughout his more than two-decade career, Sehgal has held numerous leadership roles, with the last 11 years spent at the CXO level. His extensive experience has been marked by a consistent ability to deliver exceptional revenue growth, while also adapting to the rapidly evolving media landscape. Known for his strategic vision and innovative approach, Sehgal continues to be a driving force in the media industry, particularly in the areas of digital transformation and broadcast revenue.
Vikas Khanchandani
Country Head, DistroScale
Vikas Khanchandani, the Country Head of DistroScale, Inc., has had a distinguished career in the media industry, working alongside Raj Nayak at both NDTV and Aidem Ventures. Reflecting on his journey, Khanchandani shares on LinkedIn, “Beginning at Star India, I worked closely with leadership on sales and marketing strategies for the Star Network. This experience laid the foundation for my role in pioneering ventures like NDTV Media Ltd., where I partnered with Mr. Raj Nayak to achieve significant growth, establishing the commercial arm of NDTV as a leader in the news genre.”
At NDTV, Khanchandani’s strategic input was crucial in shaping the network’s commercial success and solidifying NDTV Media as a dominant force in the news market. Building on this experience, he co-founded Aidem Ventures with Nayak, where he led the development of an independent media services business. Navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship, he successfully established a technology-driven ad delivery service, setting the company up for long-term success in a competitive industry.
Legacy of Raj Nayak continues
Nayak has worked with and inspired numerous media veterans, including Kaul, Dutt, Dahiya, Sehgal, Khanchandani, Arora, and many others, leaving an indelible mark on their careers. In 2016, he was honoured with the inaugural “Influencer of the Year Award” by exchange4media and the “Media Person of the Year” award at the IAA Leadership Awards, presented by the International Advertising Association (IAA) India Chapter. In 2018, he was bestowed with the “Global Champion Award” by the International Advertising Association in Bucharest.
His contributions to media and branding earned him the “Society Achiever of the Year” honour, as well as Amity International’s “Humanitarian Award” for his work on social issues. He was also recognised with the “Giant International Award” for his services to the entertainment industry. The International Advertising Association further acknowledged his outstanding achievements by inducting him into their Hall of Fame.
Beyond his immense business achievements, Nayak is passionate about food, travel, and reading. He is deeply revered and admired by all within the industry. Nayak resides in Mumbai with his wife, their younger daughter, and their dogs. His elder daughter, who is married and settled in the USA after completing her doctorate, continues to make her family proud. Nayak’s legacy in the industry lies not only in the immense goodwill he has cultivated but also in the many leaders who have grown and thrived under his guidance.
Nayak’s leadership has not only shaped individual careers but has also contributed to the evolution of the broader media landscape. His ability to recognise and nurture talent, combined with his vision for the future, has enabled him to build strong, forward-thinking teams that continue to push the boundaries of innovation and excellence. The respect and admiration he commands are a testament to his unwavering commitment to both his craft and the people around him.
