Rukin Kizilbash, GM, Ten Sports quits

He has been with the company since its inception

Rukin Kizilbash, general manager, Taj TV India (Ten Sports) has put in his papers. He has been with the channel since its inception in April 2002. His next move is unknown; however, he is expected to join another sports media enterprise.

Kizilbash has been a part of the launch team and had joined the company as national head, sales. He was promoted as general manager, India operations in May 2007.

Peter Hutton, chief operating officer, Taj TV, in an official communiqué, says, "He has not only guided us to some remarkable successes in terms of the revenue raised over the years but has also used his vast experience in the industry to develop and guide those around him."

His role as general manager entailed heading advertising sales, distribution and marketing and maximization of revenue. He worked closely with Zee Turner and led the transition of the channel from The One Alliance bouquet to Zee Turner.

Apart from high profile cricket events, he helped popularise other sports entertainment properties such as the WWE in the advertising circle. In one of his recent stints, he was instrumental in getting WWE superstar, The Great Khali, to India.

Kizilbash has more than two decades of work experience; a large part of it is in the television sports broadcast industry in India, including five years with ESPN-STAR Sports and a brief stint with IMG.

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