Sandesh Ghuge

Media & Entertainment domain expert with 19+ years of experience across broadcast, OTT, and film, now channeling deep industry expertise into technology and product environments. Strong understanding of content lifecycle, broadcast operations, audience analytics, and revenue models across satellite, OTT, and theatrical platforms. Proven ability to translate business and creative requirements into actionable strategy, manage cross-functional stakeholders, and bridge the gap between industry knowledge and execution teams.

Positioned to serve as a subject matter expert for product, platform, or consulting teams building solutions for the media and entertainment sector.

Creative Director at ABP Studios (2020-08 – 2025-12)

• Led project management of the OTT original musical concert film Ek Aur Baar Kishore Kumar for Universal Music Group, streaming on SonyLIV.
• Co-produced the critically acclaimed Marathi feature film Karkhanisanchi Waari; owned end-to-end P&L responsibility and spearheaded its commercial distribution – securing satellite and OTT rights deals that made it the studio's first profitable film venture, pioneering ABP Studios' entry into regional cinema.
• Developed two Marathi film scripts which are in pitching phase with Zee Studio and Jio Studio.
• Researched and developed a docu series based on Sameer Wankhede.
• Developed unscripted reality formats, creating two innovative IP concepts for Discovery+.
• Acted as the primary interface between business stakeholders and execution teams, translating creative and commercial requirements into actionable content and distribution strategy.

Head of Nonfiction Programming at Viacom 18 – Colors Marathi (2017-09 – 2019-12)

• Championed full business ownership of non-fiction programming; owned the internal creative review and greenlight process in direct alignment with the Business Head.
• Launched Bigg Boss Marathi – orchestrated the regional adaptation of the flagship franchise reality format, leveraging audience data to maximise ratings and advertiser value.
• Created and sustained Soor Nava Dhyaas Nava – a premium unscripted musical IP that delivered consistent revenue growth and high audience share across its run.
• Built and mentored creative talent – collaborated with writers, directors, and producers to develop a robust content pipeline and reduce turnaround risk.
• Contributed to script evaluation and marketing strategy for the films produced by Viacom18 Motion Pictures.
• Served as the key liaison between channel leadership and creative teams, translating business priorities and audience data into greenlight decisions and content direction.

Creative Director at ZEEL – Zee TV (2016-06 – 2017-08)

• Conceptualised and delivered high-profile national reality formats – Yaaron Ki Baraat (celebrity chat) and India's Best Judwaah – expanding the channel's unscripted revenue base.
• Managed cross-functional teams of writers, directors, and producers to deliver formats on time and within budget on a national broadcast platform.
• Acted as the bridge between national broadcast strategy and onground production teams, converting business and audience requirements into deliverable content formats.

Content Lead at ZEEL – Zee Marathi & Zee Studio (2011-01 – 2016-05)

• Launched and scaled Chala Hawa Yeu Dya – built it into the most successful non-fiction IP in Marathi entertainment, serving as a marketing platform and primary revenue driver.
• Delivered multi-genre content slate across music, dance, comedy, and quiz, driving audience share growth and advertiser retention.
• Owned film content strategy – evaluated and acquired prestige titles (Fandry, Killa); directed audience-centric marketing for blockbusters Duniyadari and Lay Bhaari.
• Managed P&L parameters including cost-to-revenue and cost-to-rating ratios, ensuring financial discipline across the content portfolio.
• Developed and implemented Program Management System – a strategic dashboard for business heads and top management to track KPIs prior to property launches.
• Functioned as the central point of coordination between business heads, marketing, and content teams – translating strategic and financial parameters into executable production and acquisition plans.

Brand Manager at ZEEL – Zee Marathi & Zee Talkies (2007-06 – 2010-12)

• Executed integrated ATL/BTL campaigns for scripted and unscripted shows, building brand equity for Zee Marathi.
• Contributed to the successful launch of Maharashtra's first dedicated movie channel, Zee Talkies, through branding activations.
• Functioned as subject matter expert for SAP implementation (FICO, CRM modules), leading nationwide training of marketing professionals to drive system adoption and process standardisation across the organisation.
• Interfaced between marketing leadership and SAP technical implementation teams, translating business process requirements into system training for non-technical marketing staff – directly analogous to a business-to-technical translation role.

MMS in Marketing – Welingkar Institute of Management