Multi-channel online video network Pepper Media appoints Milind Naik as its director of technology

Bangalore-based Pepper Media Pvt Ltd, a startup focused on creating original online video content and building video solutions for brands and media entities, has appointed Milind Naik as its director of technology.

"With videos being watched more on multiple devices, it is imperative for brands to maximize on the same. The likes, dislikes, and what is trending is yet to be captured in a 360 degree and that is the aim here at Pepper Media. I am excited to be part of a team that have been pioneers in the online video space," said Naik.

"If you are looking at building a sustainable business model in the multi-channel network (MCN) space, technology will be one of the key accelerators. It will play a key role in simplifying the model for brand managers, by helping them analyse the impact of their video campaigns on platforms like YouTube," added Radhakrishnan Ramachandran, founder and CEO of Pepper Media.

Naik has over 20 years of work experience in managing strategic and legacy IT projects in the mobile and online space. Prior to Pepper Media, he had founded Pappilon Software Solutions Pvt Ltd, a mobile application development company. Before that, he was the CTO of Miditech Pvt Ltd, a television production company. He had earlier also worked at companies like Star TV, Wisden Cricinfo, and ABC Consultants. He holds a BE degree in electronics from Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute, Mumbai.

Pepper Media was set up earlier this year by the founding team of iStream.com, a video-on-demand platform that was closed down in 2013. The new venture brings together content creators, producers and brands to the network in order to build sustainable and monetisable global audiences. Pepper Media is currently creating branded channels with celebrities along with building a community of content creators, who could become YouTube stars in the future.

In July 2014, the company had partnered with fashion retail major Megamart to launch an online reality show for designers. Titled 'Megamart Fashion Designer of the Year', the show is aimed at discovering the top talent in the fashion designing space in the country.

The firm aims to build a 1,000 strong content creator network over the next 12 to 18 months and is targeting a billion video views on a monthly basis by 2017 across different platforms on content created and managed by it. The company has also partnered with around 15 TV channels, including regional channels.

iStream.com, a property of Bangalore-based A2 Media Pvt Ltd, had over six million unique users and 12 million views on a monthly basis as of March 2013. The company, which had raised $5 million from SAIF Partners, decided to shut down the portal after it failed to raise its second round of funding.