Narendra Tripathi CEO of Jagran's FM venture

Narendra Tripathi has been roped in as CEO of Jagran’s FM radio venture. From May till recently, he was a partner with consultancy firm Mediaguru.

Tripathi’s role will entail the setting up of the eight and more radio stations, strategising the content and programming line-up, and looking after the sales, marketing and branding areas. He will report to Shailesh Gupta, director, Jagran Group.

This will be Tripathi’s second stint with the Jagran Group. Earlier, he was V-P, sales, for Channel 7.

Confirming his new role with Jagran FM, Tripathi says, “It was not a difficult choice. Rather it was out of familiarity with the group that I came back to work for the radio venture.”

Tripathi says the future augurs well and terms radio as the Jagran Group’s big plan. He promises the group’s venture will be revolutionary from both the technology and content points of view.

“The private radio market is still nascent in India and more growth can be expected in future. It can well be the next big advertising revenue earning media in a market like India, where it has widespread potential in terms of reach and affordability,” he says.

And when we talk of revenue, foreign equity cannot be far behind. Queried whether foreign partnership would be sought, Tripathi did not deny the possibility, but added that a partnership with a foreign radio venture would be ideal. He reveals that they have hired a consultant from New Zealand.

The Jagran Group plans to launch three radio stations in Gorakhpur, Karnal and Hissar by December 2006, another two in January 2007, and the rest in February and March 2007.

For the record, Jagran won eight stations in the FM Phase II bidding, operating under the umbrella of Shri Puran Multimedia Ltd. For the future, the group is looking at six more radio stations, including in two major metros.

With over 17 years of experience to his credit, Tripathi has worked with several media houses like Jagran TV, ‘The Times of India’, NDTV Media and ‘The Telegraph’. He has also dabbled with FM radio, in Radio Mirchi and Red FM. He recalls his stint at NDTV and Channel 7 as his career’s best.

© 2006 agencyfaqs!