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Bhaskar Das to part ways with BCCL after 32 years

Das joined The Times of India Group in 1980 as a management trainee. Rumour has it that he will associate himself with the Zee Group.

Bhaskar Das, president and principal secretary to the managing director at Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd (BCCL), has put in his papers thereby ending his 32-year stint with the company.

Bhaskar Das to part ways with BCCL after 32 years
Confirming the development to afaqs!, Das says, "Yes, I have put in my papers at BCCL." While he declines to confirm his next move, the market grapevine says that he will soon associate himself with the Zee group. However, there is no clarity yet on his new role and responsibilities.

Das joined The Times of India Group in 1980 as a management trainee, wherein he received multi-location, multi-brand exposure. He was made the head of the Response department in Ahmedabad in 1981 even before he could complete his probation period as a management trainee.

Two years later, he took over as sales head of the Eastern Region in Kolkata and, in 1986, became the profit centre head for the east region. In 1990, Das was appointed as the profit centre head of Gujarat and took over as director of the western zone of Response (ad sales) in 1995.

In 2005, Das was named the executive president of BCCL. His mandate was to maximise the company's volume and value market share by ensuring quality service to business constituents and driving value innovations.

Das has also been the brand custodian of The Economic Times. He was involved in the overall management of The Economic Times including content, pricing, promotion and distribution, with the mandate to enhance the commercial health of the brand.

Meanwhile, apart from being integrally involved in the broad strategic direction of BCCL, he was also a board member of Zoom Entertainment Network, Times Guaranty, Optimal Media Solutions, World Wide Media (a BCCL-BBC joint venture company marketing the group's magazines) and Vijayanad Printers (a recent acquisition of BCCL).

Das completed post graduation in International Relations from Jadavpur University in 1977. He then completed Master's degree in Business Administration (marketing specialization) from Kolkata University in 1979.

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