ABCL gets Nilesh Thakkar as senior VP, national

The Hyderabad-based Associated Broadcasting Company Pvt Ltd (ABCL), which operates under the TV9 brand, has roped in Nilesh Thakkar as senior vice-president, sales and marketing, national, for TV9 Maharashtra.

Thakkar will report to Clifford Pereira, director, and network revenue head, ABCL.

Confirming the development to afaqs!, Thakkar says, "With the Maharashtra elections approaching in February, and since I understand the Marathi market well, my initial focus will be upon TV9 Maharashtra.

Prior to this, Thakkar was senior vice-president, national, Mahuaa Group, where his mandate was to head the sales functions for the new channels from the Mahuaa stable, and also sell KBC in the regional space. Thakkar reported to Nikhil Seth, president, sales, Mahuaa Group.

Thakkar joined Mahuaa in April 2011, ending his six-year stint with MCCS (Media Content & Communication Services) where he was channel head, STAR Majha. Thakkar joined MCCS as regional manager in 2005.

In 2007, he helped launch STAR Majha, and was promoted to assistant vice-president,national sales.

Later in 2009, he was given additional charge to lead the events team at STAR News and STAR Ananda. And, in 2010, he became the all-India head for generating new businesses at STAR News and STAR Ananda.

Before MCCS, Thakkar was with Zee TV as assistant vice-president, Zee Marathi, Zee Gujarati, and Zee Bangla.