Twitter appoints former Network 18 Digital CEO Manish Maheshwari as India MD

Twitter has appointed Manish Maheshwari, former Network 18 Digital CEO, as its new managing director in India. Announcing the new appointment, Maya Hari, Vice-president and Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Twitter, said that Maheshwari will be leading the “strategy and execution” while accelerating audience and revenue growth in India, which the micro-blogging platform counts among its top markets worldwide.

“Manish’s extensive background in technology and media in India, as well as a deep understanding of Indian consumer trends, will be key areas of strength for us as we grow our business across the country,” Hari said in a tweet.

Before Maheshwari, Balaji Krish was in-charge of the social media platform’s India team, looking after the operations as the interim country head. Krish had taken over the role after Taranjeet Singh, Twitter’s former country director for India, had quit the company in September 2018.

In his new position, Maheshwari will play a key role, as Twitter eyes business growth across the country.

“I feel incredibly honoured to be joining @TwitterIndia at this exciting time,” he shared online, responding to the news of his appointment. “India's future is digital and full of possibilities. With our amazing teams across the country, I’m bullish about the positive impact that we can have on all elements of Indian society.”

That India is an important ground for growth and development is evident in the very way Twitter has been handling its operations in the country. The social media platform has been a constant fodder for news of late, especially in light of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, touted as one of the most crucial elections in the country.

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Earlier, Colin Crowell, Vice-president of global public policy, Twitter, appeared before a Parliamentary Committee on Information Technology to address concerns surrounding the ongoing elections. Issues were raised especially over data privacy and conduction of free and fair polls, uninfluenced by any foreign entity.

Crowell, who appeared on behalf of Jack Dorsey, CEO, Twitter, had said at the time that elections were a top priority, and that Twitter is working to boost India hiring. The company also assured it will appoint an officer to liaise with the Election Commission (EC).

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