Shankar Narayan completed his graduation in Computer Science & Engineering from Malnad College of Engineering, Hassan under the University of Mysore in 1997. He began his career in 1998 as a Support Sales Executive with Hewlett Packard India in Mumbai. He worked for a brief period of 6 months with a Mumbai-based internet start-up Powernet Technologies in sales before taking a break to do his MBA in 1999.
After completing his Post Graduate Diploma in Management in International Business from S.P. Jain Institute of Management & Research in 2001, he worked for Patni Computer Systems Ltd for 3 years in different Business Units like Embedded Technology Solutions (in Mumbai), Business Process Outsourcing (in Noida) and e-Business Solutions (in Mumbai) in various roles like market research, business planning, business development and project management.
In 2004, he joined MSM Discovery Private Limited, a joint venture between Sony Pictures Networks India Pvt. Ltd. and Discovery Communications India, as Manager – Operations. He is currently the Head of Distribution Planning & Operations at Sony Pictures Networks India Pvt. Ltd. handling distribution planning, budgeting, channel & bouquet pricing and day-to-day operations of the distribution business of Sony’s network of 26 channels in India & South Asia. He has been instrumental in designing and implementing systems and processes at both MSM Discovery and Sony Pictures Networks that are the Gold Standard in the TV distribution industry. Over the years, he has also ensured that SPN’s channels are available in maximum TV homes in the best possible position. In the new tariff regime, he has played a key role in the pricing and packaging of SPN’s channels.
His interests include reading books on diverse topics, quizzing, watching films & TV shows, trying new cuisines, listening to music and travelling.