All about Ravi Ahuja, the new global President and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment
Indian-origin M&E industry leader Ravi Ahuja will take the helm at Sony Pictures Entertainment, bringing his extensive experience from Disney, Fox, and a successful tenure at SPE.
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Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is set for a transformative leadership change as Ravi Ahuja, current Chairman of Global Television Studios and President & Chief Operating Officer, prepares to step into the role of President and CEO on January 2, 2025.
This leadership transition follows the announcement that Tony Vinciquerra, the current Chairman and CEO, will step down while continuing in an advisory capacity as non-executive Chairman until the end of 2025.
Ahuja's ascension to one of the most powerful roles in entertainment will see him report directly to Sony Group Corporation Chairman and CEO Kenichiro Yoshida, as well as President, COO, and CFO Hiroki Totoki.
Who is Ravi Ahuja?
With a career spanning over two decades across major entertainment giants like Disney and Fox, Ravi Ahuja is no stranger to driving growth and steering complex business operations. With oversight spanning U.S and international productions, SPT Nonfiction, SPT Kids, and Game Shows, Ahuja plays a pivotal role in SPE's India business. Collaborating closely with Tony Vinciquerra, SPE's Chairman and CEO, he manages the day-to-day operations of one of the world's largest entertainment conglomerates.
Since his arrival at Sony Pictures in March 2021, Ahuja's strategic expertise has been evident through numerous high-profile mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Under his leadership, SPE acquired the award-winning nonfiction production company Industrial Media, the renowned UK-based production company Bad Wolf, and VFX powerhouse Pixomondo. Ahuja has also led the sale of GSN Mobile Games to Scopely, reflecting his deep understanding of the media and entertainment ecosystem.
Before taking the reins at Sony Pictures, Ahuja served as President of Business Operations and CFO at Walt Disney Television. There, he managed a portfolio of legendary brands, including ABC, Disney Channel, Hulu Originals, FX, Freeform, and National Geographic. Most notably, he was a central figure in one of the industry's biggest deals-Disney's acquisition of Fox in 2019-helping to integrate Disney/ABC Television and Fox Networks into a seamless operation.
Ahuja's extensive media career includes 12 years at Fox Networks Group, where as CFO, he led critical growth initiatives in streaming and new technology.
His guidance of the Hulu joint venture and investments in companies like Roku and Draft Kings set the stage for the future of media consumption. His expertise in deal-making saw him orchestrating Fox's acquisitions of National Geographic Partners, Yankees Entertainment & Sports Network, and Sports Time Ohio.
In his earlier roles, Ahuja served as CFO of Virgin Entertainment Group, Inc., and as a consultant at McKinsey & Company.
His leadership is not just rooted in his vast industry experience but also in his educational foundation from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he holds both undergraduate and MBA degrees. Moreover, Ahuja’s ongoing connection to his alma mater includes his recent appointment to the Wharton Undergraduate Executive Board. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Roku Inc., a nod to his forward-thinking approach in the evolving media landscape.
