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Tag: Mahendra Mohan Gupta

  • Sanmarg CMD Vivek Gupta assumes INS presidency for 2025–26

    Sanmarg CMD Vivek Gupta assumes INS presidency for 2025–26

    MUMBAI: Vivek Gupta has turned the page, and this time, it’s for the entire Indian newspaper industry. The managing director and chief group editor of Kolkata-based Hindi daily Sanmarg has been elected president of the Indian Newspaper Society (INS) for 2025–26, taking over from MV Shreyams Kumar of Mathrubhumi.

    The 86th annual general meeting, held on 25 September via video conferencing, also saw Karan Rajendra Darda of Lokmat elected deputy president, Tanmay Maheshwari of Amar Ujala as vice president, and Anant Nath of Grihshobhika as honorary treasurer. Mary Paul continues as the society’s secretary-general.

    INS, the apex body for newspaper, magazine, and periodical publishers in India, has been a barometer of the industry’s pulse for decades. Shreyams Kumar, in his presidential address, praised the resilience of India’s newspaper ecosystem, particularly in a rapidly digitalising world.

    Gupta, a former Rajya Sabha MP and current MLA from Jorasanko, expressed his humility and pride. “It is an honour to be among the few from Bengal in INS’s 86-year history to hold this prestigious position. This recognition belongs to the entire Sanmarg family, my colleagues, and well-wishers. I look forward to strengthening the newspaper industry, fostering innovation, and upholding credible journalism,” he said.

    The INS executive committee for 2025–26 reads like a who’s who of Indian publishing, including industry stalwarts like S Balasubramanian Adityan (Daily Thanthi), Vijay Kumar Chopra (Punjab Kesari), Viveck Goenka (The Indian Express), Mahendra Mohan Gupta (Dainik Jagran), and Mohit Jain (Economic Times).

    With India’s print industry still brimming with potential, Gupta’s leadership comes at a crucial time to balance tradition with modernity. As the sector navigates the hybrid world of print, digital, video, and social media, industry voices like INS will be pivotal in charting the future.

     

  • Q2-2016: Jagran Prakashan YoY revenue up 19%; Radio City Op revenue up 8.3%

    Q2-2016: Jagran Prakashan YoY revenue up 19%; Radio City Op revenue up 8.3%

    BENGALURU: Indian publishing group Jagran Prakashan Limited (JPL) reported 19.1 per cent growth in consolidated operating revenue in the quarter ended 30 September, 2015 (Q2-2016, current quarter) to Rs 519.5 crore as compared to the Rs 436.3 crore in Q2-2015 and eight per cent more than the Rs 481.15 in Q1-2016

     

    The company’s consolidated profit after tax (PAT) in the current quarter increased 35.5 per cent to Rs 76.7 crore as compared to the Rs 56.6 crore in Q2-2015 and 1.9 per cent lower than the Rs 78.21 crore in Q1-2016.

     

    Note: 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10 million = 1 crore

     

    Radio Business

     

    JPL’s radio business that includes subsidiary Music Broadcast Limited (MBL) has 31 (including 11 radio stations acquired in phase 3 auctions) under the brand Radio City and eight other stations acquired under the brand Radio Mantra. The company’s radio business reported 8.3 per cent growth to Rs 55.54 crore in Q2-2016 as compared to the Rs 51.29 crore in Q2-2015 and 17.2 per cent more than the Rs 47.38 crore in the immediate trailing quarter.

     

    JPL’s radio business reported 6.4 per cent drop in profit at Rs at Rs 12.05 crore in Q3-2016 as compared to Rs 12.88 crore in Q2-2015 and a loss of Rs 2.23 crore in the immediate trailing quarter. 

     

    Advertising and Circulation numbers

     

    Consolidated advertisement revenue was up by 26.8 per cent to Rs 389 crore in the current quarter as compared to the Rs 306.9 crore in Q2-2015 and was 12.6 per cent more than the Rs.345.54 crore in Q1-2016. Standalone Advertisement Revenues were at Rs 312.74 crore, up by 9.1 per cent from Rs 286.58 crore.

     

    Consolidated Circulation revenue in the current quarter increased 3.1 per cent to Rs 99.8 crore from Rs 96.5 crore in Q2-2015, but was 0.7 per cent lower than the Rs 100.51 crore in Q1-2016. Standalone circulation revenue increased 5.4 per cent to Rs 94.48 crore in Q1-2016 as compared to the Rs 89.64 crore in the corresponding year ago quarter. Standalone Circulation Revenues were at Rs 93.87 crore, up by 3.4 per cent from Rs 90.75 crore.

     

    Total Expense in Q2-2016 at Rs 401.31 crore was 21.8 per cent more than the Rs 329.5 crore in Q2-2015 and was 8.6 per cent more than the Rs 369.45 crore in the immediate trailing quarter.

     

    Cost of Raw materials consumed in Q2-2016 at Rs 154.5 crore was 3.6 per cent less than the Rs 160.3 crore in Q2-2015 and 0.9 per cent lower than the Rs 155.89 crore in Q1-2016.

     

    Company speak

     

    JPL chairman and managing director Mahendra Mohan Gupta said, “It gives me immense pleasure to report that the company has for the first time crossed the mark of Rs 500 crore in turnover in a quarter. Chasing unprofitable growth has never been our philosophy and this is where the team has done an incredible job by delivering still healthier growth in profits.”

     

    “We are happy with acquisition of one of the two strongest FM radio networks of the country; Radio City which continues to perform on the expected lines. Phase-III auction has witnessed unrealistic bidding for metro as well as non-metro stations and I do not see the frequencies, taken at exorbitant prices, giving the return on investment. As far as we are concerned, we remained disciplined but could still manage to get what we had planned. We do not subscribe to the strategy of multiple frequency as opposed to expansion to newer markets and therefore biding for multiple frequency was never part of our plan. Besides publication and radio businesses, digital business too continues to record steep growth in revenues and occupy a prominent market position,” he said.

     

    “With strong franchise across various media platforms, market position and operating performance duly backed by financial prudence, the company is very well poised to next level of growth and enhancing the wealth of shareholders,” added Gupta.

  • Q1-2016: Jagran Prakashan y-o-y revenue up 9.3%; Radio City op profit up 40%

    Q1-2016: Jagran Prakashan y-o-y revenue up 9.3%; Radio City op profit up 40%

    BENGALURU: Indian publishing group Jagran Prakashan Limited (JPL) reported 9.3 per cent growth in consolidated operating revenue in the quarter ended 30 June, 2015 (Q1-2016) to Rs 481.15 crore as compared to the Rs 440.29 crore in Q1-2015.  Q-o-Q, JPL’s revenue grew 13.8 per cent as compared to the Rs 422.74 crore in Q4-2015. 

     

    The company’s consolidated profit after tax (PAT) in the current quarter increased 18.5 per cent to Rs 66.36 crore as compared to the Rs 55.99 crore in Q1-2015. However, q-o-q PAT was 39.7 per cent lower than the Rs 129.67 crore in Q4-2015. Adjusted PAT after extraordinary items in Q1-2016 at Rs 179.94 crore was however higher than Q1-2015 and Q2-2015 PAT.

     

    Note: 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10 million = 1 crore

     

    JPL’s radio subsidiary Music Broadcast Limited (MBL), which has 20 radio stations under the brand ‘Radio City’ reported 40 per cent higher operating profit at Rs 14.5 crore in Q1-2016 as compared to Rs 10.4 crore in the corresponding year ago quarter. The company reported a loss of Rs 2.2 crore in Q1-2016 on account of Rs 13.6 crore (exceptional items) incentives to the management team in respect of their past services in terms of agreement with the erstwhile promoters. If the exceptional items are not considered, then MBL’s PAT would be 74 per cent higher in Q1-2015 at Rs 11.3 crore as compared to the Rs 6.5 crore in the corresponding year ago quarter. In the immediate trailing quarter Radio City’s PAT was Rs 8.47 crore.

     

    Advertising and Circulation numbers

     

    Consolidated advertisement revenue was up by 11.9 per cent to Rs 345.54 crore in Q1-2016 as compared to the Rs 308.89 crore in Q1-2015, while standalone advertisement revenue up by 8.4 per cent to Rs 312.23 crore as compared to the Rs 288.01 crore in Q1-2015. Radio City reported advertising revenue of Rs 13.08 crore in Q1-2016.

     

    Consolidated Circulation revenue in the current quarter increased 5.1 per cent to Rs 100.51 crore as compared to the Rs 95.66 crore in Q1-2015. Standalone circulation revenue increased 5.4 per cent to Rs 94.48 crore in Q1-2016 as compared to the Rs 89.64 crore in the corresponding year ago quarter.

     

    Let us look at the other numbers reported by Jagran Prakashan

     

    Total Expense in Q1-2015 at Rs 369.45 crore was 12.2 per cent more than the Rs 329.35 crore Q1-2015 and 6.6 per cent more than the Rs 346.61 crore in the immediate trailing quarter.

     

    Cost of Raw materials consumed in Q1-2016 at Rs 155.89 crore was 4.2 per cent less than the Rs 162.7 crore in Q1-2015, but 8.3 per cent more than the Rs 346.61 crore in Q4-2015.

     

    The company’s radio segment results have been mentioned above. The segment reported 10.3 per cent growth in operating revenue to Rs 47.4 crore as compared to the Rs 43 crore in Q1-2015. For Q4-2015, MBL reported revenue of Rs 53.93 crore.

     

    MBL’s interest costs have been increasing with time. In Q1-2016, the company paid more than six times the interest it paid at Rs 5.10 crore as compared to the Rs 0.80 crore in Q1-2015 and 26.2 per cent more than the Rs 4.04 crore in Q4-2015.

     

    Company speak

     

    JPL chairman and managing director Mahendra Mohan Gupta said, “Q1-2016 was eventful for more than one reason. The company not only completed the long awaited acquisition of Radio City but it also delivered the highest ever profit and probably the highest growth in advertisement revenue in the industry. This robust performance in an economically difficult time could be possible due to the company’s ability to timely sense the inordinate delay in economic recovery and act accordingly.”

     

    “From the first quarter itself, Radio City has started contributing to the company’s profits and I am confident that this acquisition is going to be hugely value accretive. Finally, even though the economy is not yet supporting the growth, the first quarter’s performance gives me the confidence that we will continue to grow and meet your expectations,” added Gupta.

  • Times Group MD Vineet Jain is PTI chairman

    Times Group MD Vineet Jain is PTI chairman

    MUMBAI: Times of India Group managing director Vineet Jain has been elected chairman of the board of directors of the Press Trust of India (PTI). Jain, who was earlier vice- chairman, replaced Punjabi Kesari Group editor Vijay Kumar.

    The vice-chairman role went to Mathrubhumi Group chairman and managing director MP Veerendrakumar. The election was held following the 62nd annual general meeting of the PTI’s shareholders.

    Jain, who has played a key role in expanding the Times of India and other publications of Bennett Coleman and Company Ltd, was PTI chairman in 2002-03. He has also led BCCL’s successful entry into online, radio and television services.

    Veerendrakumar was formerly a Member of Parliament and Union Minister. A past President of the Indian Newspaper Society (INS), he is associated with media-related bodies in India and abroad.

    The members of the PTI board also include Vijay Kumar Chopra (Hind Samachar), N. Ravi (The Hindu), R. Lakshmipathy (Dinamalar), Aveek Kumar Sarkar (Ananda Bazar Patrika), Shekhar Gupta (Indian Express), K.N. Shanth Kumar (Deccan Herald), Mahendra Mohan Gupta (Jagran Prakashan), Hormusji N. Cama (Bombay Samachar), Riyad Mathew (Malayala Manorama) and Sanjoy Narayan (Hindustan Times). The Directors from outside the newspaper industry are Professor EV Chitnis, Justice SP Bharucha and Fali S Nariman.

    A leading news agency, PTI achieved its highest-ever revenue last financial year and is profitable.

  • Network18, Jagran in JV to launch Hindi biz daily

    MUMBAI: Soon after acquiring ownership control in Infomedia and forging a strategic alliance with Forbes Media for magazine publishing, Network18 has entered into a 50:50 joint venture with Jagran Prakashan to step into the newspaper space.

    For starters, the JV will launch a Hindi business daily in 2008. Though there are several English business dailies, there is no such offering in the Hindi language.

    The JV also intends to launch other Indian language dailies focused on financial and economic news. Says Network18 MD Raghav Bahl, “In recent years, business audiences have grown immensely in the Hindi heartland and regional markets, reflecting a democratisation of enterprise and wealth creation across the nation. We are delighted to partner Jagran Prakashan as it will allow us to fulfill this need powerfully in the print space, by combining TV18’s strengths in business content with Jagran’s intimate understanding of print markets.”

    TV18 has a roster of brands across television, online and information terminal platforms in the business space while Jagran Prakashan Limited (JPL) publishes one of India’s largest news daily Dainik Jagran. The venture will also throw open opportunities to exploit across platforms.

    Says JPL CMD Mahendra Mohan Gupta, “Our experience in the language media space has revealed a growing interest in specialized business news and information, which this vehicle will enable us to cater.”

    The deal will help Network18 to access the distribution network of Jagran, a crucial piece in the print business.

    The JV will be governed by a board, comprising representatives from TV18 and Jagran Prakashan, which will oversee management plans and execution.

    The operational specifics in terms of brand name for the business daily and selection of the editorial and business team is in the process of being formalised, says an official release.