Havas Media Network India has appointed Tabassum Modi as Chief Content Officer and Head of Havas Play India, the network’s entertainment, content, sports and social division. Based in Mumbai, Modi has reported to Mohit Joshi, CEO, Havas Media Network India, and has taken charge of the Content, Entertainment, Sports and Social verticals under Havas Play India.
The appointment has strengthened the leadership structure of Havas Play India, while Uday Mohan has continued to lead the core business as Chief Operating Officer of Havas Media India. Modi has also worked closely with leaders across Havas Media Network India as part of her new role.
Havas Play, which was launched in India in 2023 as Havas’ sports, entertainment and culture network, has expanded its operations through partnerships with Lens Vault Studios (LVS), Gameplan Sports and SG Sports, Media & Entertainment. The division has brought together content, fandom, influencer, experiential and partnership capabilities under a single offering.
Under the revised structure, Modi has led the overall vision and operations of Havas Play India. Prachi Narayan has continued to oversee the Content and Entertainment vertical as Managing Partner, Havas Play. Uditvanu Das has led the Sports division, while Kapil Nair has driven the Social practice. Shruti Rajkumar has headed Partnerships and Growth initiatives, while Debojit Banerjee has overseen the Sales function with support from an expanding regional team.
Before joining Havas Media Network India, Modi had served at Omnicom Media Group. Over a career spanning more than two decades, she has worked across media, entertainment, education and digital businesses. She has been involved in building content-led business models, managing large profit-and-loss portfolios, developing intellectual properties, forging brand partnerships, launching OTT platforms and scaling content-driven ventures.
Mohit Joshi, Chief Executive Officer, Havas Media Network India, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Tabassum to the Havas Media Network India family. Havas Play is at a particularly exciting inflection point as we continue to expand our footprint across sports, entertainment, culture, and content through new partnerships, capabilities, and experiences. Guided by our new business vision – ‘Growth, Powered by Desire’, Tabassum’s unparalleled experience in content strategy and P&L management will be instrumental in strengthening our expertise further. Her proven ability to scale businesses across the entertainment and digital ecosystem will accelerate our ambition to craft desirability for brands through culture-led, high-impact experiences. With the introduction of this new, future-ready leadership structure, we’re building a strong, integrated team that positions Havas Play for its next phase of accelerated growth and innovation. Tabassum’s vision aligns perfectly with where Havas Play is headed and the kind of standout solutions we aim to deliver for our clients. I thank Uday for laying a strong, growth-ready foundation during the interim period that has set Havas Play up for this next chapter of growth.”
Tabassum Modi said: “I’m thrilled to join Havas Play India and contribute to a team known for its creative prowess, innovative IPs, and strategic depth. Havas Play’s position at the intersection of sport, entertainment, content, community and culture offers exactly the kind of platform needed to push the boundaries of truly engaging brand experiences. For me, what is particularly exciting is the integrated Havas Village model that brings together all expertise seamlessly to foster collaboration and create integrated business solutions with real impact. The opportunity to harness this collective ambition to drive growth is incredibly exciting, and I look forward to working with the talented team at Havas Play India, to create work that is both effective and enduring for our clients.”
