Rana Handa
Gurgaon
Summary
Proven commercial leader with over 25 years in revenue generation across television, digital media, and sports. Extensive experience in broadcast advertising sales, driving national and regional strategies while cultivating key advertiser relationships. Entrepreneurial background includes roles at ScoopWhoop and POPxo, complemented by expertise in sports rights technology and international partnerships.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Co-Founder
GLYPH Protocol & SITA9
04.2025 - Current
- Led commercial strategy, business development, corporate development, fundraising, and global market expansion for AI-powered identity and growth-intelligence business, driving sustainable growth and market presence.
- Wrote detailed business plans for governing company operations, marketing activities and revenue generation.
- Monitored operations to keep processes aligned with targets and matching forecasts.
- Recruited, trained and coached staff to meet capacity requirements and expansion goals.
Strategic Partnerships Consultant
Caribbean Premier League (CPL)
01.2025 - Current
- Functioned as commercial representative for CPL across India, orchestrating sponsorship, media rights, licensing, and branded-content strategy across TV, OTT, digital, creators, and experiential activation to boost brand visibility and engagement.
- Handled complex problems and issues by understanding root causes and implementing solutions.
- Facilitated workshops and training sessions to upskill team members and improve service delivery.
- Interfaced with client leads and became trusted advisor or confidant to client.
Strategic Advisor
WLDD
01.2025 - Current
- Advised founders and leadership on strategies for commercial growth, forged strategic partnerships, explored new business opportunities, facilitated AI adoption, and guided international market expansion.
- Handled complex problems and issues by understanding root causes and implementing solutions.
- Evaluated team performance regularly, providing constructive feedback and coaching for continuous improvement.
- Supported teams during implementations and produced clear instructions outlining changes.
Head of Partnerships
Rario (Dream Capital-backed)
07.2021 - 03.2025
- Built and led strategic partnerships for licensed global cricket platform, connecting rights holders, athletes, technology ecosystems, and consumer brands to enhance collaboration.
- Negotiated partnerships with cricket boards, IPL franchises, and ecosystem partners, creating monetisation streams across sponsorship, licensing, commerce, and gaming to maximise revenue opportunities.
- Oversaw the onboarding process for new partners, ensuring a smooth transition and integration into ongoing projects.
- Liaised with legal departments to ensure all partnership agreements comply with regulatory requirements and standards.
- Reviewed sales data to forecast market trends and adapt marketing strategies.
Chief Business Officer & Partner
Chtrbox
09.2020 - 07.2021
- Drove commercial growth at leading influencer-marketing company; increased revenue 3x within twelve months while establishing enterprise relationships with top advertisers and agencies.
- Developed and maintained excellent client and commercial contact relationships to maintain and expand firm's client base.
- Developed company goals and targets based on previous performance and predicted forecasts.
- Oversaw the firm's financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
Chief Business Officer
POPxo & Plixxo
07.2017 - 03.2020
- Managed P&L and revenue across native content, video, display, influencer activity, and commerce, scaling Plixxo to over 50,000 creators, enhancing brand partnerships and revenue growth.
- Collaborated with team members to achieve target results.
- Managed complaints with calm, clear communication and problem-solving.
- Maintained clean, safe working environments to eliminate accident risks.
Head of Revenue
ScoopWhoop
06.2016 - 06.2017
- Led 30-member sales and servicing organisation across native content, video, and display; achieved over 200% revenue growth YTD.
- Analysed market trends to set competitive room rates, maximising occupancy and revenue.
- Analysed market trends and demand to develop accurate pricing strategies.
- Collaborated with the reservations team to optimise booking processes and enhance customer experience.
Vice President, National Sales Head / Cluster Head (North)
9X Media
05.2014 - 06.2016
- Promoted to VP - National Sales Head, led national advertising sales for 9X Jalwa after driving growth in North cluster across 9X Jalwa and 9X Jhakaas.
- Developed focused sales teams and established recurring revenue streams, achieving over 200% revenue growth YTD/MOM across focus channels.
- Monitored operations to keep processes aligned with targets and matching forecasts.
- Developed high-performing teams to consistently exceed goals, drive revenue and expand markets.
- Analysed market trends to inform product development and competitive strategy.
VP, National Head Advertising Sales - K-12
Educomp Solutions
01.2014 - 12.2014
- Established national advertising sales for Smartclass, Educomp Online and Uniclass, and activated opportunities across 35,000 institutions.
- Monitored operations to keep processes aligned with targets and matching forecasts.
- Developed high-performing teams to consistently exceed goals, drive revenue and expand markets.
- Analysed market trends to inform product development and competitive strategy.
Consulting Partner
PlayOff Marketing Communications
01.2013 - 12.2014
- Established revenue partnerships across sports, lifestyle, and entertainment properties.
- Developed and maintained excellent client and commercial contact relationships to maintain and expand firm's client base.
- Developed company goals and targets based on previous performance and predicted forecasts.
- Oversaw the firm's financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
AVP, Advertising Sales, North & East
Sony Entertainment Network
05.2012 - 11.2013
- Led advertising sales for AXN across North & East, managing six-member team and fostering senior market relationships to achieve core revenue targets.
- Developed strategies to enhance channel yield and effective rates, resulting in 30% revenue growth.
- Streamlined communication channels between departments, enhancing collaboration and project outcomes.
- Streamlined internal communication to improve team collaboration and productivity.
- Conducted detailed performance reviews, identifying areas for improvement and driving team excellence.
Director, Advertising Sales, North
Turner / NDTV Imagine
08.2008 - 04.2012
- Led North advertising sales for flagship GEC Imagine TV, managing 12-member team and overseeing forecasts, inventory, pricing policies, and senior agency/client relationships to drive revenue growth.
- Introduced first-time television advertisers through exclusive impact-show partnerships, securing marquee sponsorships from Samsung, Perfetti, and All Out, expanding advertising portfolio.
- Commercialised Swayamvar franchise across three seasons, securing major sponsorships from Dabur, Ranbaxy, Mankind Pharma, and Frito-Lay, enhancing brand visibility and market reach.
Progressive Sales Leadership Roles
Star India
06.2000 - 07.2008
- As Region Head North for STAR Utsav & Channel [V], led two independent sales teams (10 people) and grew STAR Utsav revenue 150% year-on-year.
- Led sales strategy as Group Head on STAR Plus, managing 50% of the market and securing major sponsorships for KBC while commercialising IIFA, Screen Awards, Parivar Awards and GR8 Women Achievers Awards to enhance viewership and brand partnerships.
- Previously led Channel [V] North, growing business 60% while creating customised brand solutions and cross-selling the Vindia.com digital platform.
- Progressed over eight years across STAR Plus, STAR News, STAR Movies, STAR World, STAR Gold, STAR Utsav, STAR Vijay, Channel [V] and National Geographic, culminating as Senior Manager / Region Head North with a focus on revenue growth and market leadership.
- Earlier roles included launch sales for STAR Utsav, STAR Gold and STAR Vijay; network sales across the STAR bouquet; and North sales for STAR News and National Geographic. Received the STAR Performer Award for STAR Plus in 2004.
Education
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) - Tourism & Hospitality Management
Bournemouth University
UKAdvanced Diploma - Hotel Management
IHTTI
Neuchâtel, SwitzerlandSkills
- Revenue leadership
- National and regional ad sales
- Pricing strategies
- Media rights negotiation
- Sponsorship management
- Partnership development
- Creator partnerships
- Influencer strategies
- Digital media
- OTT platforms
- Television media
- Go-to-market strategies
- International market expansion
- New revenue generation
- Key client relations
- Agency management
- Multi-platform media expertise
- Sports and IP management
Custom
- REVENUE LEADERSHIP, National & regional ad sales, P&L, pricing, yield
- PARTNERSHIPS, Agencies, key clients, sponsorships, integrations
- MULTI-PLATFORM, TV, digital, OTT, branded content
- SPORTS & IP, Media rights, licensing, sponsorship
- NEW MEDIA, Creators, influencer economy, technology
- GROWTH, GTM, new revenue, international markets
Timeline
Co-Founder
GLYPH Protocol & SITA9
04.2025 - Current
Strategic Partnerships Consultant
Caribbean Premier League (CPL)
01.2025 - Current
Strategic Advisor
WLDD
01.2025 - Current
Head of Partnerships
Rario (Dream Capital-backed)
07.2021 - 03.2025
Chief Business Officer & Partner
Chtrbox
09.2020 - 07.2021
Chief Business Officer
POPxo & Plixxo
07.2017 - 03.2020
Head of Revenue
ScoopWhoop
06.2016 - 06.2017
Vice President, National Sales Head / Cluster Head (North)
9X Media
05.2014 - 06.2016
VP, National Head Advertising Sales - K-12
Educomp Solutions
01.2014 - 12.2014
Consulting Partner
PlayOff Marketing Communications
01.2013 - 12.2014
AVP, Advertising Sales, North & East
Sony Entertainment Network
05.2012 - 11.2013
Director, Advertising Sales, North
Turner / NDTV Imagine
08.2008 - 04.2012
Progressive Sales Leadership Roles
Star India
06.2000 - 07.2008
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) - Tourism & Hospitality Management
Bournemouth University
Advanced Diploma - Hotel Management
IHTTI