Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has appointed Harsh Deep Chhabra as head - strategy & new business. Based in Mumbai, Chhabra will report to Gaurav Banerjee, managing director and ceo, SPNI, and collaborate closely with the leadership team to shape long-term strategy, drive enterprise priorities and identify growth opportunities in a changing media and advertising landscape.
In this role, Chhabra will work with multiple business units to deliver initiatives aimed at accelerating topline growth while improving cost efficiency. A key part of his mandate will involve evaluating and incubating new business opportunities aligned with SPNI’s broader growth agenda, particularly as media consumption and advertising models continue to evolve.
Chhabra brings over two decades of experience spanning media, advertising and digital ecosystems. He joins SPNI from Godrej Consumer Products Limited (GCPL), where he served as global media head. In that role, he led integrated media strategies and developed large-scale brand narratives, focusing on aligning media investments with marketing effectiveness.
Prior to GCPL, he was senior vice president at Mindshare, part of GroupM. At Mindshare Fulcrum, he led the Unilever relationship for South Asia, contributing to client partnerships and business growth through strategic media planning and execution. His earlier experience includes roles across major media organisations such as Zee Entertainment, Turner International and Radio City, alongside agency experience, giving him a comprehensive understanding of the media value chain.
His expertise covers account management, media planning and buying, analytics, advertising sales, marketing and investor relations. He has also led data-driven digital initiatives, leveraging technology and insights to deliver measurable outcomes for brands and businesses, an increasingly critical capability as advertisers demand accountability and performance from media investments.
Banerjee said, “Harsh Deep brings a powerful blend of strategic acumen and deep industry expertise across media, advertising, and digital ecosystems. His ability to translate insights into decisive, high-impact strategies will be instrumental as we accelerate our growth agenda. I am confident his leadership will unlock new opportunities, strengthen our competitive edge, and create enduring value for the organisation.”
Chhabra said, “I am excited about joining SPNI at such a pivotal moment of transformation. In today’s rapidly evolving media landscape, the opportunity lies in combining strategic foresight with agile execution to unlock new growth avenues. Partnering closely with Gaurav and the leadership team, I look forward to advancing enterprise priorities, build future-ready capabilities, and identify innovative opportunities that deliver sustained business impact.”
The appointment reflects SPNI’s focus on integrating strategic planning with marketing and media innovation, as it seeks to strengthen its positioning in a competitive and digitally driven advertising environment.
