New Delhi, November 03, 2008 -- Rajat Sharma's India TV has announced a brand new company, India TV Interactive (ITVI) Pvt Ltd.
ITVI will be the vehicle for a major foray by India TV into various new media platforms and value-added services.
Mr Sharma also announced the appointment of Arvind Mahendru as Senior VP (New Media), ITVI Pvt Ltd.. Mr Mahendru is moving from Group M where he was Managing Partner, Group M. He will report to India TV Managing Director Ms Ritu Dhawan.
"I am delighted to kick start such an ambitious foray into new media with one of the most highly-regarded new media specialists in our industry. Arvind has a rich and diverse repertoire and I have no doubt that he will drive the exciting area of developing and monetizing new media solutions for India TV brand to dizzy heights," India TV Chairman Mr Rajat Sharma said.
"Arvind will be building, through ITVI, our group's businesses on the internet, mobile, and interactive television platforms, to the levels of a market leader at scorching speeds," Ms Dhawan said.
Mr Mahendru said, "I am truly excited about the opportunity given to me by India TV . My brief mission statement for our new media business is to very soon match up to the exacting standards of achievement set by India TV, our group's flagship brand."
Among his earlier positions, Mr Mahendru has been General Manager (Marketing), Bharti Airtel Limited, New Delhi (2005-2007), where he headed content acquisition for broadcast TV, games and international film based content for VOD (video on demand) services for the IPTV, broadband, mobile and DTH platforms. Prior to Bharti, Mr Mahendru was Chief Manager, Broadband, Times Internet Limited, New Delhi, managing distribution, content planning and acquisition. He was in charge of the first ever IPTV Product pilot in India understanding consumer insights, product and consumer value propositions, and looked after the "8888" short code service.
Mr Mahendru, 39, is a BCom (Hons) from Delhi University, and an MBA from IMT Ghaziabad. He has also been with AM TRINITY PLATCO Limited, New Delhi; Turner International (India) Pvt Ltd (now ZEE Turner Private Ltd..); and Star TV.
About Mr Rajat Sharma, Ms Ritu Dhawan, and Independent News Service Private Limited (INS):
Mr Rajat Sharma is Chairman of Independent News Service (INS) and Editor-in-Chief of India TV. India TV is the flagship service of INS. INS was co-founded by Mr Sharma and Ms Ritu Dhawan in 1998. Mr Sharma edited important publications before entering television in 1992 with the iconic 'Aap Ki Adalat' and India's first private news bulletin. With 20 years of work behind her, Ms Dhawan, Managing Director, INS, is one of India's senior-most television producers. India TV Interactive (ITVI) Pvt Ltd..is their newest foray.
INS launched India TV in August 2004. Today it has a talent pool of 500+ personnel. As per TAM data across 41 weeks this year, India TV has been a leader in the C&S Hindi news market.
INS had investment from Fuse+ Media, an entity of ComVentures, a leading Silicon Valley-based venture capital and private equity group with over $1.5 billion of assets under management. Earlier this year, after another strategic investment, INS's enterprise value stood at Rs 500 crore.
Media contact details
Rohit Bansal,
India TV,
ᄧ (0120) 3051000,
rohitbansal@indiatvnews.com
Top News
Latest News
