Monica Tata is the Managing Director, South Asia for HBO India Pvt Ltd. Based in Mumbai, she is responsible for steering and overseeing all of HBO’s initiatives across South Asia. Monica has over 24 years of media experience which were primarily spent in Star TV and Turner. We talk to Monica about her career and life-
Tell us about more about yourself.
With over 24 years of experience behind me; I bring expertise in management of television networks operations in the Media and Entertainment industry. Some of the key companies I worked with were Star India Pvt Ltd. Turner International India Pvt Ltd and currently I am with HBO India Pvt Ltd.
I worked as part of the leadership team at Star and Turner. I have had a consistent record of increasing sales, effective negotiations, profit and loss analysis and strategic implementation of business operations. My performance with Star India and Turner stand testimony to my path of excellence.
Ability to overcome obstacles and capture opportunities by closing exclusive deals, create and implement savvy marketing strategies has been my forte. My efforts were validated when I was recognized as ‘Next 30’ most powerful women to look out in 2010; and was also adjudged as one of India’s hottest young executives of the media industry in 2009 by Business Today and adjudged amongst the top 50 influential women in media, marketing and advertising by a leading industry magazine - IMPACT in 2012 and 2014. Also received Women Leadership award by World Women Leadership Congress in 2014 and was judged amongst India’s top 100 important people in the industry by Digital Studio a leading magazine in Broadcasting and Production.
I am also the Hon Secy of the International Advertising Association, India Chapter and a committee member for ASCI.
I am recognized for strong leadership skills and excellence in training, development and mentoring of staff and customers.
One significant change you brought in HBO this year
To have been able to launch a 100% Ad free channels in an ad driven market was a daunting task. But we managed to launch 2 successful premium channels which are 100% Ad Free and are pure subscription based channels. HBO Defined and HBO Hits have brought to the Indian consumer a viewing experience which they have never witnessed before.
What has HBO’s strategy been in India to compete in the market? How do you keep yourself unique?
To bring the best of Hollywood has been the core focus of HBO in India. However, after launching the 2 premium channels, it’s not only best of Hollywood but also best of HBO Original content as well. Multi award winning series like Game of Thrones, Boardwalk Empire, True Blood, True Detective etc are shown now to Indian audiences and they can watch the same at the comfort of their homes, 100% Ad Free.
Share with us one most valuable advice you ever got.
Enjoy the journey and don’t worry about the destination. This advice I use not only at work but in personal life too. Passion has always been my mantra and I love what I do. And when you are in a situation like this, wherein you love what you do and you get paid for it too..it makes for a perfect working setup. So enjoy every day and love what you do and fame and fortune is bound to follow!
A message you’d like to give all SHEROES out there.
Always see glass half full! It’s very easy to notice the glass half empty but the moment you have a different view point, the situation gives you a new meaning. It’s not a walk in the park for most of the SHEROES out there but I have always believed that where there is a will there is a way. Be optimistic, enjoy what you do and remember that compromises are not always a bad thing! As long as you are able to reflect by and large positively about your life, personal and professional, you have done well.