Indira Venkat

Indira Venkat is Senior Vice President of Audiences & Research for Travel Channel Media where she oversees consumer facing platforms including network strategy & programming, interactive, studios, and research.  She played a key role in structuring a cohesive business unit that is responsible for maximizing value to Travel Channel Media audiences by developing and executing integrated cross-platform content strategies.  She has heightened the focus of placing the consumer at the forefront of content strategy and development, leading in the solicitation of new ideas from production companies, using RFPs outlining the audience and schedule need to be served.  She commissioned a groundbreaking ethnography research effort to understand impact of mood states on television viewing choices and habits which helped develop Travel Channel’s on-air architecture and scheduling strategy. 

Prior to joining Travel Channel Media, Venkat was Vice President of Networks Research & Planning at Discovery Communications, where she directed programming, marketing, and brand research studies that served as key inputs in the strategic planning process.  In her twelve years at Discovery Communications, Venkat has overseen and managed research efforts for the U.S. networks, Corporate, and Discovery Enterprise Worldwide.  Venkat has a strong understanding of both traditional and new media industries.  Prior to joining Discovery, Venkat worked as an independent research consultant for companies including Voter Consumer Research and Market Opinion Research.

Venkat received a graduate degree in business from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, India.  She also holds a graduate degree in Marketing from the University of Maryland, University College.