Akshay Agrawal elevated as business head – linear ad sales at Sony Pictures Networks India

Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has appointed Akshay Agrawal as its new Business Head – Linear Ad Sales, strengthening its senior leadership as the broadcaster sharpens its revenue and monetisation strategy across television platforms.

Agrawal succeeds Sandeep Mehrotra, who previously held the position.

Reports to CRO Rajesh Kaul

In his new role, Agrawal will report to Rajesh Kaul, Chief Revenue Officer (CRO), SPNI, and will be responsible for driving the network’s linear advertising sales strategy amid intensifying competition and changing advertiser expectations.

Prior to this elevation, Agrawal served as Executive Vice President and Cluster Head – Ad Sales for Hindi general entertainment channels and MAX 2, where he led key revenue portfolios within the network.

Two decades of leadership at SPNI

Agrawal’s appointment marks another milestone in a long association with SPNI, spanning nearly 22 years. Over the course of his career at the network, he has built a reputation as a seasoned media sales leader with more than two decades of experience in driving growth, managing business turnarounds and shaping commercial strategy in a fast-evolving media environment.

Focus on future-ready business models

According to the company, Agrawal brings deep expertise in building sustainable and future-ready business models, nurturing long-term client partnerships through a customer-first approach, and providing strategic thought leadership to teams and stakeholders.

His professional strengths also include insights-led decision-making aimed at delivering consistent and positive business outcomes, particularly as broadcasters adapt to converging viewing habits and increasing pressure on traditional advertising revenues.

With this leadership change, SPNI is expected to further align its linear advertising operations with its broader, integrated revenue strategy under Kaul’s stewardship.