MRUC appoints Lloyd Mathias as chairman

Media Research Users Council (MRUC) has elected Lloyd Mathias as its new chairman, following the resignation of its existing chairman, Andrey Purushottam. Mathias is currently president and chief marketing officer, Tata Teleservices.

MRUC, a non-profit body supported and mandated by media owners, advertisers and advertising agencies, is the publisher of Indian Readership Survey (IRS).

The MRUC chair is rotated every two years. However, Purushottam's two-year term was cut short because of his resignation as chief executive officer, Mumbai Mantra (the entertainment arm of Mahindra & Mahindra), which meant that he moved out of the advertisers' constituency.

In an official communiqué, Mathias says, "All efforts will be geared towards making MRUC more relevant to advertisers, media planners, the broadcasting and publishing industry, with newer and enhanced offerings."

Mathias has 20 years of work experience and has been an active member of the MRUC board. At Tata Teleservices, he is responsible for marketing, product management, business development, alliances and valued added services. He has also worked with brands such as Motorola and PepsiCo.

Bharat Kapadia, vice-chairman, MRUC lauds Purushottam's contribution to the organisation over the years in various capacities -- chairman, vice-chairman and as a board member. Welcoming the new chairman, he comments, "The media industry is passing through a very challenging yet interesting phase; and we are looking forward to many enhancements in our offerings. Lloyd, a dynamic and experienced industry player, will accelerate the growth under his leadership."