Ashish Bagga is publishing director, India Today Megabrand; Satish Menon to head IT Business Group

In a significant development, Ashish Bagga, executive director and publisher (Business Group), India Today - who was overseeing the marketing of the India Today brand and the sales, distribution and subscription service of its language versions including English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam, as well as the India Today International edition - has been elevated to the position of publishing director of the India Today Megabrand. Bagga assumes his new role at the India Today Group with effect from April 1, 2004.

Mohini Bhullar, who is currently publishing director of the India Today Megabrand, would move on to her new role of executive director, corporate affairs, at the India Today Group. Satish Menon, who is currently president, Sahara TV group, will join the group on March 6 as publishing director and head of the Business Group. These changes at the helm, according to the group, are part of an ongoing organisational restructuring process.

Bhullar, in her new role, would be responsible for looking at new business opportunities for the Group, seeking synergies within Group activities and would continue to be India Today Conclave director and public relations director. Bagga, besides talking up his new responsibilities, would continue to supervise the group's shared services of newsstand sales and distribution, subscription service, CRM (customer relation management) fulfilment and related businesses. Aroon Purie, chief executive, The India Today Group, adds, "He (Bagga) will also assist me with Reader's Digest, Today and the Business Group as and when required."

On his part, 47-year-old Menon has spent over 24 years in the media business, with a large share of it in print publishing. He has held significant positions of responsibility at The Week, Sunday Mail and Mid Day. Moving from print in 1999, Menon joined ZEE TV as deputy CEO of ZEE News. His responsibility at the group was expanded over a period of time to include the stewardship of ZEE Sports, besides an active role in the strategic planning function for the entire group.

Coming back to the changes at India Today, the group has announced a few changes in acquired title Reader's Digest. Forty-year-old Ajay Shukla, who was vice-president and head, direct marketing and cards, ABN Amro Bank, would join the India Today Group on March 1 as publishing director and head of the Reader's Digest business. Shukla will be based in Mumbai where Reader's Digest is headquartered. He would take over from Sanjay Johri "after he is duly oriented into the business", says Purie. "Johri is likely to take up a senior position with the Tatas once Shukla is firmly in saddle." © 2004 agencyfaqs!