Mumbai: Kevin Vaz, CEO – Entertainment, JioStar, was conferred with the prestigious ‘Media Person of the Year’ award at the 12th IAA Leadership Awards 2025, held last evening at the Taj Lands End, Mumbai. Hosted by the India Chapter of the International Advertising Association (IAA), the event celebrated industry stalwarts who have made exceptional contributions to marketing, advertising, and media.
Accepting the honour, Kevin Vaz said, “I’m truly humbled and grateful to receive this recognition. It’s a special moment for me, especially as I complete close to 30 years in this industry that I’ve quite literally grown up with. A heartfelt thank you to the International Advertising Association for this honour. IAA has always championed excellence and innovation across our industry and I’m proud to be recognised by an organisation that has played such an important role in shaping the media and marketing landscape.”
A veteran of the Media & Entertainment sector, Kevin Vaz brings nearly three decades of leadership experience to his role at JioStar. As CEO – Entertainment, he has been instrumental in scaling up revenue, expanding the network’s market share, and integrating content monetisation across television and OTT platforms. He also oversees JioStar’s film studio operations and has played a pivotal role in the rise of JioHotstar as a dominant player in India’s digital entertainment space.
Beyond his role at JioStar, Kevin serves as President of the Indian Broadcasting & Digital Foundation (IBDF) and Chairman of the Media & Entertainment Committee at FICCI, positions through which he continues to influence the broader industry agenda.
His career is marked by transformational leadership, with previous stints as CEO – Broadcast Entertainment at Viacom18, where he led the TV and studio business and shaped regional content strategies, and as President & Head of Network Entertainment at Disney Star, where he spearheaded the launch and management of over 50 television channels.
The 12th edition of the IAA Leadership Awards once again spotlighted leaders whose vision and achievements are shaping the future of India’s media and marketing industries. Kevin Vaz’s recognition reaffirms his enduring impact and reputation as one of the sector’s most dynamic leaders.
