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Javed Akhter quits Group M to join Zenith Optimedia as media director

Akhter has been in the industry for close to 10 years. He joins Zenith Optimedia as media director

Javed Akhter, investment group head at Group M, has put in his papers at the agency to join Zenith Optimedia (ZO) as media director. He had joined Group M in April 2006 and is currently serving his notice period at the agency.

Akhter was reporting to Sidharth Parashar, director, investment services (North), Group M. He was handling media buying duties for Nokia in the domain of print and radio, and was responsible for all investments in print or radio. In fact, he was recruited by Group M when the Nokia business shifted to Maxus, the media division owned by Group M. At ZO, Akhter will be reporting to Navin Khemka, vice president, media.

Says Akhter, "My mandate at Group M was to manage the advertising spend of Nokia, the top advertising spender with Group M, in the most efficient and economic way."

On his rather short stint at Group M, Akhter explains, "This is a great opportunity from the growth perspective. My profile here will be much bigger, as I will be working on quite a few accounts, including Hyundai."

Akhter has been working for nearly 10 years in this industry. A commerce graduate from Jamia Milia Islamia, Akhter completed his MBA from Meerut University in 1997. He started working with 'Amar Ujala' in 1997, and spent three years with the company heading MIS. In 2000 he joined 'The Hindu' as an account planning person. Two years later, he joined 'The Indian Express' and spent three years with the company as an account planner.

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