ITV Network Expands Digital Strategy with Mayur Sharma Appointed as VP – SEO

In a strategic move to enhance its digital footprint and content discoverability, ITV Network, one of India's leading media conglomerates, has appointed Mayur Sharma as Vice President - SEO. The announcement reflects ITV’s growing focus on strengthening its online visibility and search-led user acquisition across its expanding digital properties.

This development marks another key step in ITV Network’s ongoing transformation from a traditional media player to a forward-looking, digital-first organization.

Mayur Sharma Joins as VP – SEO: A Key Growth Driver

Mayur Sharma brings to ITV Network extensive experience in digital growth, search engine optimization, and audience acquisition across various industries. Known for his results-driven approach and ability to scale organic traffic, Sharma is expected to play a pivotal role in enhancing the performance of ITV’s online news portals, video platforms, and mobile assets.

In his new role, Sharma will lead SEO strategies, search partnerships, and performance frameworks across ITV’s multiple digital brands, including Hindi and regional language platforms. He will also focus on:

• Driving organic growth and traffic scale

• Improving search engine visibility for high-value news categories

• Aligning editorial and tech teams to SEO best practices

• Shaping data-driven content strategies to capture user intent

Why SEO Is a Strategic Priority for ITV Network

As media consumption rapidly shifts to mobile and on-demand platforms, discoverability via search engines has become critical. ITV Network’s renewed investment in SEO underscores its intent to:

• Strengthen traffic acquisition without over-relying on social media algorithms

• Ensure longer session durations and repeat visits through relevant content

• Compete effectively with digital-native publishers across news, lifestyle, and infotainment segments

In a cluttered digital ecosystem, SEO is no longer just a support function—it’s a growth engine. And Sharma’s appointment reflects the company’s intent to build strong in-house SEO capability.

A Digital Reinvention in Progress

This move follows ITV Network’s recent initiatives in video optimization, vernacular content development, and platform syndication. Over the past year, the group has:

• Revamped its mobile news apps for speed and UX

• Strengthened video news channels for YouTube and OTT platforms

• Launched regional news portals catering to Tier 2 and Tier 3 audiences

• Rolled out web push notifications, newsletters, and content alerts

Sharma’s appointment fits perfectly into this broader digital narrative. His mandate will help ITV Network align content output with evolving search behavior and news discovery patterns.

Leadership Perspective on the Appointment

Commenting on the development, ITV Network’s leadership emphasized their commitment to building a strong, future-ready digital ecosystem. They acknowledged that search performance will be a core metric for newsroom success and user retention going forward.

Mayur Sharma’s arrival is seen not just as a hire—but as a strategic alignment between editorial vision and technical excellence.

Industry Reaction: A Timely Move

The Indian media landscape is increasingly prioritizing organic discovery and long-tail content, particularly after recent algorithm shifts on platforms like Meta and X (formerly Twitter). ITV Network’s decision to onboard a seasoned SEO leader is being viewed by peers as a proactive step.

Digital strategists and marketers point out that audiences today rely on search not just for breaking news, but for context, explainers, and local updates. This requires media brands to think beyond clickbait and prioritize structured, search-optimized journalism.

About ITV Network

ITV Network operates a diverse portfolio of news channels, digital properties, and print publications including well-known brands like:

• India News (national and regional channels)

• NewsX (English news channel)

• The Sunday Guardian (weekly print and digital publication)

• A growing network of regional digital news platforms

With over 20 media outlets and a rapidly expanding digital reach, ITV Network has established itself as a key voice in Indian broadcast and digital journalism.

Conclusion: A Step Toward Data-Led Journalism

The appointment of Mayur Sharma as VP – SEO signals a clear shift in how legacy media brands like ITV Network are adapting to digital realities. With search driving more than 50% of traffic for most news sites, SEO is no longer optional—it’s foundational.

As the news industry continues to evolve, ITV Network’s forward-thinking leadership in hiring SEO expertise reflects a larger commitment to audience-first journalism. It’s not just about being heard—it’s about being found, and being relevant.

This decision sets the tone for what media companies of the future must embrace: technology, talent, and trust—at scale.