JioStar's head of revenue, Ajit Varghese, resigns; Mahesh Shetty assumes the position
JioStar Undergoes Leadership Change: Ajit Varghese Steps Down, Mahesh Shetty Takes Over
In a significant move, Ajit Varghese has stepped down from his role as Head of Revenue, Entertainment & International at JioStar, the joint venture between Reliance and Disney Star. Varghese is set to join Madison as Partner and CEO. His position will be filled by Mahesh Shetty, who has been appointed as Head of Revenue, Entertainment at JioStar 1, 2.
Varghese, who previously served as Head of Network Sales at Disney Star, joined JioStar in 2023. Before his tenure at JioStar, he was the Chief Commercial Officer at ShareChat and Moj, and held senior leadership roles at WPP Group agencies including Wavemaker and Maxus 2. Shetty, who joined JioStar in December 2024, brings over 20 years of media and sales experience. He had served as Head of Network Sales at Viacom18 and held chief leadership roles at Radio Mirchi before joining JioStar 1, 2.
This leadership transition at JioStar comes as the joint venture consolidates its position following its formation in November 2024. The aim is to integrate television, digital, and international platforms under one revenue strategy 1, 2. JioStar operates the OTT platform JioHotstar, capitalising on the combined expertise of both parent companies.
The careers of both Varghese and Shetty are linked to prominent industry players including Disney Star, Viacom18, WPP Group, and ShareChat, reflecting a trajectory through major media networks and agencies before and after their tenure at JioStar.
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- The appointment of Mahesh Shetty as Head of Revenue, Entertainment at JioStar signifies a shift in leadership, as Ajit Varghese steps down from the same position to join Madison as Partner and CEO.
- prior to his tenure at JioStar, Ajit Varghese held senior leadership roles at WPP Group agencies such as Wavemaker and Maxus, and served as the Chief Commercial Officer at ShareChat and Moj.
- Mahesh Shetty, who joined JioStar in December 2024, brings over 20 years of media and sales experience, having served as Head of Network Sales at Viacom18 and holding chief leadership roles at Radio Mirchi before joining JioStar.
- Both Varghese and Shetty's careers have connections with influential media networks and agencies like Disney Star, Viacom18, WPP Group, and ShareChat, demonstrating a career path that traverses major media networks and agencies before and after their time at JioStar.
