Tag: Ashok Venkatramani

India Today’s Ashish Bagga is new NBA president

MUMBAI: News Broadcasters Association (NBA) has elected India Today Group chief executive officer (CEO) Ashish Bagga as the president. The news was announced at a board meeting held earlier this week.

Bagga replaces former ABP News Network CEO Ashok Venkatramani following his exit from the channel on 4 November. Venkatramani was appointed as the president of NBA in September 2016 at the ninth annual general meeting where Bagga was elected as the vice-president.

Times Network MD and CEO M.K. Anand will replace the Bagga’s role as the vice-president, while newly elevated New Delhi Television Ltd (NDTV) group CEO and executive vice chairperson K.V.L. Narayan Rao has been elected as the honorary treasurer.

Bagga, Anand and Rao also serve as the board members of NBA.

Other board members of NBA are — TV18 Broadcast chief executive, news, and group editor-in-chief Rahul Joshi, India TV chairman and editor-in-chief Rajat Sharma, Zee Media group CEO Bhaskar Das, News24 Broadcast India chairperson and managing director Anurradha Prasad and Mathrubhumi Printing & Publishing whole-time director M.V. Shreyams Kumar.

Currently, NBA has 23 news and current affairs broadcasters (59 news and current affairs channels) as its members.

November 30, 2016
India Today’s Ashish Bagga is new NBA president

MUMBAI: News Broadcasters Association (NBA) has elected India Today Group chief executive officer (CEO) Ashish Bagga as the president. The news was announced at a board meeting held earlier this week.

Bagga replaces former ABP News Network CEO Ashok Venkatramani following his exit from the channel on 4 November. Venkatramani was appointed as the president of NBA in September 2016 at the ninth annual general meeting where Bagga was elected as the vice-president.

Times Network MD and CEO M.K. Anand will replace the Bagga’s role as the vice-president, while newly elevated New Delhi Television Ltd (NDTV) group CEO and executive vice chairperson K.V.L. Narayan Rao has been elected as the honorary treasurer.

Bagga, Anand and Rao also serve as the board members of NBA.

Other board members of NBA are — TV18 Broadcast chief executive, news, and group editor-in-chief Rahul Joshi, India TV chairman and editor-in-chief Rajat Sharma, Zee Media group CEO Bhaskar Das, News24 Broadcast India chairperson and managing director Anurradha Prasad and Mathrubhumi Printing & Publishing whole-time director M.V. Shreyams Kumar.

Currently, NBA has 23 news and current affairs broadcasters (59 news and current affairs channels) as its members.

November 30, 2016
ABP News Network CEO Ashok Venkatramani departs

MUMBAI: Even as the week was ending, came another shocking piece of news. Ashok Venkatramani, the CEO of ABP News Network (ANN) had quit and in fact had even served out his notice period with Friday (4 November 2016) being his last day at work.

A hardcore Hindustan Lever professional, Venkatramani was given charge of the network in 2008, when it was a 76:24 per cent joint venture Media Content and Communications Services (MCCS) between West Bengal based print media group ABP and Rupert Murdoch’s Star India. The joint venture launched three channels Star News, Star Ananda, and Star Majha, in the Hindi, Bengali and Marathi news space.

The two parted ways in 2012 as Star India wanted to focus on its entertainment and sports business under CEO Uday Shankar with ABP buying out the Star India stake. The parting agreement included the dropping of the Star name from the channels. Something which many thought would be detrimental for the ABP group in revenue terms.

Venkatramani had the responsibility of overseeing the rebranding of the channels to ABP News, ABP Ananda and ABP Majha. And he did that pretty effectively. Revenues not only stayed put, they also grew. Venkatramani, after some struggle with the ministry of information and broadcasting on getting a licence, also launched ABP Sanjha in July 2014. His efforts were recognized at 2016’s indiantelevision.com News Television (NT) Awards this earlier this year and he was inducted into the NT Awards Hall of Fame.

Venkatramani confirmed his departure to indiantelevision.com, saying that he was leaving for newer challenges. And he confirmed that he was being replaced by Atideb Sarkar (the son of ABP editor in chief Arup Sarkar). Not much is known about where Venkatramani is headed, but his deputy and the company’s COO Avinash Pandey appreciated his efforts in a comment to a media portal. As did the ABP managing director and CEO D. D. Purkayastha.

Venkatramani is currently the president and director on the Board of the News Broadcasters Association of India (NBA) and chairs its HR and sales sub-committees. He is also a former director of the Indian Broadcasting Foundation. Ashok is also a member of the Digitization Task Force appointed by the Indian government.

He is is a B. Tech from Bombay and has done his management post graduation from Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad and Harvard Business School.

Also Read:

Murdoch set to exit TV news biz in India

Star, ABP announce divorce; Star News to be ABP News

ABP’s Punjabi channel, Sanjha, finally gets its licence

November 6, 2016
ABP News Network CEO Ashok Venkatramani departs

MUMBAI: Even as the week was ending, came another shocking piece of news. Ashok Venkatramani, the CEO of ABP News Network (ANN) had quit and in fact had even served out his notice period with Friday (4 November 2016) being his last day at work.

A hardcore Hindustan Lever professional, Venkatramani was given charge of the network in 2008, when it was a 76:24 per cent joint venture Media Content and Communications Services (MCCS) between West Bengal based print media group ABP and Rupert Murdoch’s Star India. The joint venture launched three channels Star News, Star Ananda, and Star Majha, in the Hindi, Bengali and Marathi news space.

The two parted ways in 2012 as Star India wanted to focus on its entertainment and sports business under CEO Uday Shankar with ABP buying out the Star India stake. The parting agreement included the dropping of the Star name from the channels. Something which many thought would be detrimental for the ABP group in revenue terms.

Venkatramani had the responsibility of overseeing the rebranding of the channels to ABP News, ABP Ananda and ABP Majha. And he did that pretty effectively. Revenues not only stayed put, they also grew. Venkatramani, after some struggle with the ministry of information and broadcasting on getting a licence, also launched ABP Sanjha in July 2014. His efforts were recognized at 2016’s indiantelevision.com News Television (NT) Awards this earlier this year and he was inducted into the NT Awards Hall of Fame.

Venkatramani confirmed his departure to indiantelevision.com, saying that he was leaving for newer challenges. And he confirmed that he was being replaced by Atideb Sarkar (the son of ABP editor in chief Arup Sarkar). Not much is known about where Venkatramani is headed, but his deputy and the company’s COO Avinash Pandey appreciated his efforts in a comment to a media portal. As did the ABP managing director and CEO D. D. Purkayastha.

Venkatramani is currently the president and director on the Board of the News Broadcasters Association of India (NBA) and chairs its HR and sales sub-committees. He is also a former director of the Indian Broadcasting Foundation. Ashok is also a member of the Digitization Task Force appointed by the Indian government.

He is is a B. Tech from Bombay and has done his management post graduation from Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad and Harvard Business School.

Also Read:

Murdoch set to exit TV news biz in India

Star, ABP announce divorce; Star News to be ABP News

ABP’s Punjabi channel, Sanjha, finally gets its licence

November 6, 2016
Neeraj Roy elected as IAA India chapter president

MUMBAI: The India Chapter of International Advertising Association has elected Hungama Digital Media CEO Neeraj Roy as its president.

Roy said, “We look forward to serving the ever changing needs of the marketing and advertising fraternity as India is at the cusp of a digital transformation that will impact all aspects of life.”

Further, Monica Tata, COO – BTVi, elected as VP commented, “I am looking forward to be part of the next phase of IAA under the new leadership.”

Pradeep Dwivedi, former CMO of The Dainik Bhaskar Group, elected as the Hon. Secretary, said, “There has never been a better time for our industry to evolve and transform itself. I am keenly looking forward to working with industry leaders to sustain the rich legacy of past IAA initiatives and contribute to new ones.”

Jaya Advertising Pvt. Ltd. chairman Jaideep Gandhi was elected as the honorary treasurer.

In addition, MCCS India Pvt Ltd -ABP News CEO Ashok Venkatramani, Daily Deshdoot director Janak Sarda, Indian National Press director Abhishek Karnani, Mathrubhumi PTG & PBG Co. Ltd director Shreyams Kumar, VRL Media Ltd managing director Anand Sankeshwar, have been elected as members of the managing committee.

IAA India past president Kaushik Roy said, “With strengthened senior level representation from India and the Asia Pacific, IAA globally is well poised to support and nurture the interests of the advertising, marketing and media fraternity.”

September 27, 2016
Neeraj Roy elected as IAA India chapter president

MUMBAI: The India Chapter of International Advertising Association has elected Hungama Digital Media CEO Neeraj Roy as its president.

Roy said, “We look forward to serving the ever changing needs of the marketing and advertising fraternity as India is at the cusp of a digital transformation that will impact all aspects of life.”

Further, Monica Tata, COO – BTVi, elected as VP commented, “I am looking forward to be part of the next phase of IAA under the new leadership.”

Pradeep Dwivedi, former CMO of The Dainik Bhaskar Group, elected as the Hon. Secretary, said, “There has never been a better time for our industry to evolve and transform itself. I am keenly looking forward to working with industry leaders to sustain the rich legacy of past IAA initiatives and contribute to new ones.”

Jaya Advertising Pvt. Ltd. chairman Jaideep Gandhi was elected as the honorary treasurer.

In addition, MCCS India Pvt Ltd -ABP News CEO Ashok Venkatramani, Daily Deshdoot director Janak Sarda, Indian National Press director Abhishek Karnani, Mathrubhumi PTG & PBG Co. Ltd director Shreyams Kumar, VRL Media Ltd managing director Anand Sankeshwar, have been elected as members of the managing committee.

IAA India past president Kaushik Roy said, “With strengthened senior level representation from India and the Asia Pacific, IAA globally is well poised to support and nurture the interests of the advertising, marketing and media fraternity.”

September 27, 2016
Venkatramani new NBA president

MUMBAI: ABP News Network CEO Ashok Venkatramani has been elected as the new president of News Broadcasters Association (NBA). Venkatramani was earlier the vice president and director on the board of NBA India.

Venkatramani has replaced India TV chairman and editor-in-chief Rajat Sharma. Sharma will however continue to be a board member. Venkatramanialso chairs the sales and HR committee of NBA and has been with ABP since 2008. Prior to that, he was the vice president and business head for the consumer goods firm Unilever in India for 18 years.

The board has also elected India Today Group CEO Ashish Bagga as the vice president and Times Network MD and CEO M. K. Anand as the honorary treasurer.

Other board members include New Delhi Television Ltd (NDTV) executive vice chairperson K. V. L. Narayan Rao, TV18 chief executive, news, and group editor-in-chief Rahul Joshi, Zee Media group CEO Bhaskar Das, News24 chairperson and MD Anurradha Prasad and Mathrubhumi Printing & Publishing whole time director M.V. Shreyams Kumar.

September 22, 2016
Venkatramani new NBA president

MUMBAI: ABP News Network CEO Ashok Venkatramani has been elected as the new president of News Broadcasters Association (NBA). Venkatramani was earlier the vice president and director on the board of NBA India.

Venkatramani has replaced India TV chairman and editor-in-chief Rajat Sharma. Sharma will however continue to be a board member. Venkatramanialso chairs the sales and HR committee of NBA and has been with ABP since 2008. Prior to that, he was the vice president and business head for the consumer goods firm Unilever in India for 18 years.

The board has also elected India Today Group CEO Ashish Bagga as the vice president and Times Network MD and CEO M. K. Anand as the honorary treasurer.

Other board members include New Delhi Television Ltd (NDTV) executive vice chairperson K. V. L. Narayan Rao, TV18 chief executive, news, and group editor-in-chief Rahul Joshi, Zee Media group CEO Bhaskar Das, News24 chairperson and MD Anurradha Prasad and Mathrubhumi Printing & Publishing whole time director M.V. Shreyams Kumar.

September 22, 2016
ABP Asmita is ‘rising star’ of Gujarat

MUMBAI: ABP News Network had launched its Gujarati News Channel “ABP ASMITA” in February this year. It has traversed a long journey of success in a short span of time. With a tag line that shows strong determination of “Khabar Amari, Pragati Tamari”, the channel aims to keeps its viewers ahead and be instrumental in their progress. It is also available on the digital platform at ‘abpasmita.in’.

The Group Editor of ABP News Network Shazi Zaman said, “For our Gujarati viewers in the state and anywhere in the world, ABP Asmita fulfils the need of fair, balanced and objective news with the dedication that is evident in our Hindi, Bangla and Marathi channels.”

Ashok Venkatramani, CEO of ABP News Network further said, “We are committed to making ABP Asmita a strong conveyor of pride for which the Gujaratis are known globally and at the same time to contribute in their progress. We are using the best and latest technology to broadcast “ABP Asmita” channel, this will serve the Gujaratis in India and every corner of the world with quality news at a lightning speed.”

Since inception, ABP Asmita has seen phenomenal growth in ratings. It has been widely accepted in a very short span of time. The weekly coverage has expanded to three folds of what it was during its launch. The channel has garnered a reach of 8.2 million viewers and is listed amongst the top 3 news channels in Gujarat. During special news coverage, ABP Asmita has been the clear choice with 34% market share during ‘Jagannath Rath Yatra’ a renowned religious procession attended by over 2 lakh people in Ahmedabad and 44% market share during ‘Pramukh Swami Maharaj Story’ a special coverage on Pramukh Swami Maharaj – the head of BAPS Swaminarayan Sansthan, an international Hindu socio-spiritual organization, who built more than 1100 temples in India including the Akshardham temples in Delhi and Gandhinagar.

News is updated expeditiously on our website www.abpasmita.in and ABP Asmita app. News bulletins and various other programs of ABP Asmita Channel are also uploaded. The website and app combined have 10 million page views and 1 million unique visitors monthly.

To keep our viewers updated, Live News bulletins are continuously aired on ABP Asmita from early morning till midnight along with quality daily programs like ‘Fatafat’ and ‘Top 20’,”Aapni Khabar, Aapna Reporter”, “Mahacharcha” and “Mahanagar”. “Asmita Vishesh” and “Asmita Sanvaad” cover the analysis of special events and interviews of known personalities.

Celebrating this success, ABP Asmita recently rolled out a high decibel campaign in trade along with an activation in top 21 advertising agencies across the country distributing ‘Monthar’ a traditional Gujarati sweet dish to mark the beginning of a sweet journey .

September 19, 2016
ABP Asmita is ‘rising star’ of Gujarat

MUMBAI: ABP News Network had launched its Gujarati News Channel “ABP ASMITA” in February this year. It has traversed a long journey of success in a short span of time. With a tag line that shows strong determination of “Khabar Amari, Pragati Tamari”, the channel aims to keeps its viewers ahead and be instrumental in their progress. It is also available on the digital platform at ‘abpasmita.in’.

The Group Editor of ABP News Network Shazi Zaman said, “For our Gujarati viewers in the state and anywhere in the world, ABP Asmita fulfils the need of fair, balanced and objective news with the dedication that is evident in our Hindi, Bangla and Marathi channels.”

Ashok Venkatramani, CEO of ABP News Network further said, “We are committed to making ABP Asmita a strong conveyor of pride for which the Gujaratis are known globally and at the same time to contribute in their progress. We are using the best and latest technology to broadcast “ABP Asmita” channel, this will serve the Gujaratis in India and every corner of the world with quality news at a lightning speed.”

Since inception, ABP Asmita has seen phenomenal growth in ratings. It has been widely accepted in a very short span of time. The weekly coverage has expanded to three folds of what it was during its launch. The channel has garnered a reach of 8.2 million viewers and is listed amongst the top 3 news channels in Gujarat. During special news coverage, ABP Asmita has been the clear choice with 34% market share during ‘Jagannath Rath Yatra’ a renowned religious procession attended by over 2 lakh people in Ahmedabad and 44% market share during ‘Pramukh Swami Maharaj Story’ a special coverage on Pramukh Swami Maharaj – the head of BAPS Swaminarayan Sansthan, an international Hindu socio-spiritual organization, who built more than 1100 temples in India including the Akshardham temples in Delhi and Gandhinagar.

News is updated expeditiously on our website www.abpasmita.in and ABP Asmita app. News bulletins and various other programs of ABP Asmita Channel are also uploaded. The website and app combined have 10 million page views and 1 million unique visitors monthly.

To keep our viewers updated, Live News bulletins are continuously aired on ABP Asmita from early morning till midnight along with quality daily programs like ‘Fatafat’ and ‘Top 20’,”Aapni Khabar, Aapna Reporter”, “Mahacharcha” and “Mahanagar”. “Asmita Vishesh” and “Asmita Sanvaad” cover the analysis of special events and interviews of known personalities.

Celebrating this success, ABP Asmita recently rolled out a high decibel campaign in trade along with an activation in top 21 advertising agencies across the country distributing ‘Monthar’ a traditional Gujarati sweet dish to mark the beginning of a sweet journey .

September 19, 2016