Star India MD exits for Google role

Sanjay Gupta has left his position as managing director of pay-television broadcaster Star India and the Indian division of its parent company Disney to take up a new role at internet firm Google.

Gupta will become Google’s new country manager for India, and vice-president of sales and operations. He succeeds Rajan Anandan, who left Google earlier this year to become managing director of the Indian division of US venture capital firm Sequoia Capital.

At Star and Disney India, Gupta played an important role in the launch of OTT platform Hotstar, as well as overseeing its interests in the Pro-Kabaddi League and club football’s Indian Super League.

The Moneycontrol website notes his exit comes less than a year after Hotstar’s former head, Ajit Mohan, joined social media company Facebook.

Commenting on his new role, Gupta said: “I am delighted to take on the challenge of leading and shaping Google’s charter in India. It is an exciting opportunity to leverage the power of technology to solve some of India’s unique challenges and make internet an engine of economic growth for people and communities.”

Scott Beaumont, president of APAC for Google, added: “Our Indian operation is important and strategic for its own sake but also for the innovation which then feeds breakthroughs elsewhere in Google.

“We are delighted to have Sanjay join us. We are excited to combine his expertise, experience and leadership with our teams and build further on our existing efforts in this highly dynamic, competitive and exciting digital economy, looking to build a more helpful and inclusive internet for everyone in India.”