#e4mExclusive:  Hersh Bhandari set to join NDTV Group as Brand Advisor & Head of NDTV CoLab

Senior media executive Hersh Bhandari is set to join the NDTV Group as Brand Advisor and Head of NDTV CoLab, exchange4media has learnt.

In his new role, Bhandari will advise the group on brand strategy and lead NDTV CoLab, the network’s branded content and brand-solutions business. Hersh Bhandari is a great leadership hire for NDTV. He is highly respected, well-connected and revered across the industry. Wherever he has served, Bhandari has contributed through his leadership and out-of-the-box thinking.

Launched in July 2026, NDTV CoLab is the new identity of the network’s branded content and brand-solutions division, previously known as NDTV Brand Studio. The vertical works with brands, institutions, marketers and creators to develop campaigns, conversations and intellectual properties across platforms.

Its mandate includes leveraging NDTV’s portfolio of properties such as the NDTV World Summit, NDTV Business Leadership Awards, NDTV Food Awards, NDTV Indian of the Year, NDTV Ind.AI Summit, NDTV YUVA, NDTV Creators’ Manch and the NDTV Defence Summit.

Bhandari brings more than two decades of experience across revenue, strategy, brand solutions and media operations. The appointment also marks his return to the NDTV ecosystem, having previously worked with NDTV Media.

Bhandari joined Republic Media Network ahead of the launch of Republic Bharat, initially taking charge as Executive Vice President–Revenue. He was elevated to Group Chief Operating Officer in February 2022, with responsibility for the network’s national broadcast operations and expansion across new regions and languages.

Before joining Republic, Bhandari was National Revenue Head at India Today Television and had spent six years with Times Network. During his career, he has also worked with media organisations including Star Group and Mastiii.

His appointment assumes significance as NDTV expands its commercial ecosystem beyond conventional advertising and focuses on developing brand-led content, experiences, communities and intellectual properties as alternate revenue streams.