- English
- Hindi
- Marathi
- Gujarati
KHUSHAL ABHANI
Mumbai / Thane
Summary
Strategic media and business development leader with 15+ years of experience building regional businesses, developing strategic partnerships and creating integrated brand solutions across Digital, CTV, Content, Events and Media. Proven track record of transforming regional revenue, developing new business verticals, building annual client and agency partnerships, and creating differentiated content, leadership and event-led platforms. Experienced in consultative selling, senior stakeholder engagement and translating business objectives into commercially viable solutions across Retail, Pharma, BFSI, FMCG, Real Estate, Consumer and Lifestyle categories.
Overview
1
1
Language
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Regional Head – West (Digital Sales)
Zee Media Corporation Limited
05.2025 - Current
- Lead regional business development and strategic sales across Digital, CTV, Branded Content, PR/Native Content, Social and event-led opportunities.
- Transformed the West-region business from ?16 lakh to ?2.43 crore in the first year, driven by Retail and new business vertical development.
- Signed an annual deal of approximately ?2.70 crore for the second year; approximately ?1.40 crore of ongoing and new business has been secured to date.
- Built a Retail-focused commercial proposition combining Display, CTV and PR/Branded Content, with emphasis on agency partnerships and annual relationships.
- Expanded TYS (Tell Your Story) Podcast from a content proposition into partnership-led opportunities across Retail and Pharma categories, including clients such as Meril Pharma and Intas.
- Developed strategic brand solutions for Pharma, FMCG, Finance, Retail and Real Estate clients, connecting media, content, events and audience engagement.
- Created client-led event and media-partnership opportunities, combining event association, content, digital amplification and audience reach.
- Led IP and event-led commercial initiatives including Kamala Power Women Awards 2026, working across sales, editorial, content and production teams.
Zonal Head – West
Outlook Publishing India Pvt. Ltd.
03.2022 - 04.2025
- Scaled the West-region business from approximately ?1.2 crore to ?9 crore annual business in three years.
- Built integrated commercial propositions across Display, Content, PR, Branded Content, awards and events for brands and agencies.
- Developed and monetised platforms including Outlook Business Awards, Outlook Money and Outlook 40 Under 40, creating opportunities for leadership visibility, brand association and client engagement.
- Created 360-degree brand solutions for Kotak Mutual Fund, LIC Mutual Fund and Dream11 Sports, aligning client objectives with content and platform-led engagement.
- Built annual agency partnerships with Dentsu, Kinnnect Media, WRM, Purnima and Anvis Digital.
- Developed a strategic international content partnership in the health and sports category, generating approximately ?1.2 crore in new revenue from global markets.
Regional Manager – West
ABP Private Limited
03.2017 - 02.2022
- Transformed West-region advertising revenue from ?36 lakh to ?5 crore+ over five years.
- Led digital advertising sales across anandabazar.com, telegraphindia.com and fortuneindia.com.
- Created brand-solution and content-led campaigns for Vi, Asian Paints, Marico, Piramal, Godrej Properties and Godrej Consumer Products, among other key accounts.
- Developed integrated solutions combining Display, PR and Branded Content to address client communication and brand-building objectives.
- Managed strategic accounts including Marico, Asian Paints, ABG, Vi, Pantaloons, Godrej Properties, LIC, SBI Bank and GCPL.
- Built sales strategies based on consumer buying trends and market conditions, working closely with editorial and content teams.
Senior Manager
Network18 Media & Investments Limited
02.2016 - 02.2017
- Managed client and media-planner relationships to identify opportunities for stronger online brand visibility.
- Handled Display, Content and Mobile revenue streams and developed client-led commercial opportunities.
- Worked toward an annual business target of approximately ?3 crore, achieving target in three of four quarters.
General Manager
Kompass Aviation Services Pvt. Ltd.
10.2007 - 01.2016
- Coordinated with PAN-India business partners and clients across ongoing projects and new ventures.
- Developed marketing strategies, targets and operating plans for branches across India.
Assistant Manager
Lawkim Limited – A Godrej Company
12.2006 - 09.2007
- Managed the Corporate Marketing & Retail division across Pune and Mumbai.
- Developed an original mathematical algorithm for an advertising module, improving performance by 200%.
Education
Bachelar of Commerece - Marketing & Business
Mumbai University
Mumbai, IN-MH01-2010
Skills
- Business Development
- Revenue Growth
- Strategic Partnerships
- Regional Business Leadership
- Enterprise & Agency Sales
- Brand Solutions
- Integrated Media Planning
- Events & IP Development
- Thought Leadership
- PR Content & Branded Content
- Digital, CTV & Podcast Partnerships
- Negotiation
- Cross-functional Leadership
LANGUAGES & CONTACT
Websites, Portfolios, Profiles
linkedin.com/in/khushal-abhani
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- At Zee Media, grew the West-region business from ?16 lakh to ?2.43 crore in the first year through Retail and new business vertical development.
- Signed an annual deal of approximately ?2.70 crore for the second year, with approximately ?1.40 crore in ongoing and new business secured to date.
- Grew ABP West-region advertising revenue from ?36 lakh to ?5 crore+ over five years.
- Scaled Outlook West-region business from approximately ?1.2 crore to ?9 crore annual business in three years.
- Built and monetised content, awards, event and partnership-led platforms including Outlook Business Awards, Outlook Money, Outlook 40 Under 40 and TYS Podcast.
- Developed integrated brand solutions combining Display, CTV, PR, Branded Content, Social, Podcasts and event-led association.
SELECTED STRATEGIC WORK
- Brand Solutions: Developed integrated propositions combining Display, CTV, PR/Branded Content, Social, Podcasts and event/IP association around client objectives.
- Leadership & Recognition Platforms: Worked on Outlook Business Awards, Outlook Money and Outlook 40 Under 40, creating opportunities for leadership visibility and brand engagement.
- Podcast Partnerships: Expanded TYS Podcast into a partnership-led commercial proposition for Retail and Pharma categories.
- Event & Media Partnerships: Developed association opportunities around client-led events, combining event presence, content, digital amplification and audience reach.
- Retail Business Development: Built a Retail-focused commercial proposition at Zee across Display, CTV and Content, supported by agency-led annual partnerships.
- Strategic Accounts: Worked with brands and organisations across Retail, Pharma, FMCG, BFSI, Real Estate, Consumer and Lifestyle categories.
SECTOR EXPERIENCE
- Retail
- Pharma
- FMCG
- BFSI
- Real Estate
- Consumer
- Lifestyle
- Media & Entertainment
- Technology
Timeline
Regional Head – West (Digital Sales)
Zee Media Corporation Limited
05.2025 - Current
Zonal Head – West
Outlook Publishing India Pvt. Ltd.
03.2022 - 04.2025
Regional Manager – West
ABP Private Limited
03.2017 - 02.2022
Senior Manager
Network18 Media & Investments Limited
02.2016 - 02.2017
General Manager
Kompass Aviation Services Pvt. Ltd.
10.2007 - 01.2016
Assistant Manager
Lawkim Limited – A Godrej Company
12.2006 - 09.2007
Bachelar of Commerece - Marketing & Business
Mumbai University