ZEE Entertainment Brings Divya Karani Onboard as Independent Director
The Board of Directors of ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (ZEE) approved the appointment of Divya Karani, a prominent figure in the Media & Entertainment industry, as an Independent Director, following the recommendations of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, in a meeting held today.
Karani has over four decades of extensive experience spearheading some of the largest advertising and media agencies across India, South Asia, UK and Asia Pacific. Previously, she served as the CEO of Dentsu Media, South Asia, leading the agency for over 12 years as a prominent media agency network in the region. Karani currently serves on the Board of Kulfi Collective, a modern media network that builds brands and studios that function at the intersection of content, commerce and culture, as its Chairperson and Executive Director. She has been serving on the Board of Jagran Prakashan since 2019 as an Independent Director. She has also been instrumental in championing the growth of radio as Chairperson, MRUC Radio Committee and has served on the Board of Media Research Users Council.
Her appointment is a firm step by the Board to further enhance the strategic guidance being delivered to the management team on a regular basis. Her vast experience and wisdom in the media and advertising landscape will enable the Company to strengthen its capabilities to achieve its targeted aspirations for a robust future, the company stated in a press release.
Speaking on the appointment, R Gopalan, Chairman, ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. said, “We are delighted to welcome Ms. Divya Karani on the Company’s Board. Her wealth of expertise across the media sector coupled with a proven track record of successfully delivering customer-centric business solutions, will enable the Company to garner the required guidance as it navigates the path forward to achieve its targeted goals. I am pleased to note the strong mix of industry experts on the Board, which further strengthens our capabilities to mentor the management team in an fast-evolving media landscape. The steps being taken by the Board reflect our commitment towards building a robust corporate governance framework and maximising shareholder value going forward”.
Commenting on the development, Punit Goenka, CEO, ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. said, “We are glad to welcome Ms. Divya Karani as an esteemed member on the Company’s Board. The Indian media & entertainment sector is evolving swiftly, making it pertinent to craft innovative business solutions with a lens of fiscal prudence and profitability. We believe Ms. Karani’s deep domain knowledge in advertising and spearheading large-scale agencies, will enable us to effectively navigate the macroeconomic environment and build value-accretive offerings for brands to propel revenue growth for the business”.
Divya Karani, Independent Director, ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. expressed, “I am honoured to join the Board of ZEE, a Company that has redefined the entertainment ecosystem for over three decades and harbours a rich legacy with an innovative spirit. As the Company enters its next phase of growth, I believe it remains well- poised to continue growing stronger and capturing more hearts at the intersection of content, technology and creativity. I look forward to being a part of this pioneering Company’s robust growth story by leveraging my expertise and working closely with the Board and the management team to drive long-term success”.
The Board of ZEE is composed of distinguished experts from various sectors, offering comprehensive guidance to the Company on a wide range of matters to enhance its policies and processes. The collective wisdom and experience of the Board is bolstered by the leadership of Mr. Gopalan, Chairman, who brings extensive expertise in economic and financial administration; Ms. Deepu Bansal, Independent Director, an expert in compliance, internal audits, risk management, and governance; Mr. Saurav Adhikari, Non-Executive Director, with deep domain knowledge in technology, FMCG, and consumer durable industries; Mr. Shishir Babubhai Desai, Independent Director, who specializes in law and financial matters; Mr. Uttam Prakash Agarwal, Independent Director, with vast experience in taxation, finance, and statutory audits; and Mr. P.V Ramana Murthy, Independent Director, a lawyer, author, and academic with expertise in HR and organizational development. The appointment of Ms. Karani further enhances the Board's collective expertise, enabling it to provide strategic guidance to the Company's management across all areas of the business.