Web18 promotes Durga Raghunath as CEO of Firstpost

Raghunath conceptualised and launched Firstpost and was VP, product and executive news producer at the company.

Web18, the digital content arm of Network18, has promoted Durga Raghunath as CEO of Firstpost.com. Earlier, she was vice-president, product and executive news producer for Firstpost. Raghunath joined Network18 two and a half years ago and conceptualised and launched Firstpost.

Raghunath has more than 10 years of experience in publishing - both books and digital. She has worked with The Wall Street Journal, Mint and HarperCollins in New York. She has an MBA from ISB and studied publishing at Columbia University.

According to the company, this move is part of Web18's progression towards a decentralised operating structure built around key strategic business units. The development comes soon after the promotion of R Jagannathan as editor-in-chief for the web and publishing division, which comprises a special interest portfolio of 18 B2C and B2B titles including Overdrive, Better Photography, Chip, T3, Entrepreneur, Search and Auto Monitor. Editors at each of these brands will now report to Jagannathan with immediate effect. Earlier, he was in charge of Moneycontrol.com and Firstpost.com.

Commenting on the development, Lakshmi Narasimhan, CEO, Web18, says, "Durga has been the force behind Firstpost.com that has made it one of the most influential news products in the country in a short span of two years. As the product enters its next phase of growth and monetisation, it needs somebody with a deep understanding of digital news products and their business models to lead it. Durga fits the bill perfectly."

Raghunath says, "I've sat in front of a computer in a newsroom for two years, building an evolving brand. To be given the opportunity to step back and look at it in its entirety, is indeed very exciting."

Firstpost.com is an exclusive online news and views website and according to comScore, Firstpost.com attracts over 5.5 million unique visitors per month globally. In May, Firstpost.com acquired FakingNews.com.

Network18, through its subsidiary Web18, launched Firstpost as a digital newsroom in 2011. Besides Firstpost, the company also runs MoneyControl.com, in.com, Bookmyshow.com, CommoditiesControl.com and PowerYourTrade.com. In the content vertical, the company owns Tech2.com and Cricketnext.com.