Durga Raghunath replaces Lakshmi Narasimhan as CEO, Network18 Digital

Raghunath was earlier the CEO of Firstpost.com, the group's news and opinion portal.

Network18 Digital, the digital content arm of Network18, has promoted Durga Raghunath as CEO. Earlier, she was CEO of Firstpost.com, the group's news and opinion portal. Raghunath replaces Lakshmi Narasimhan, who will move onto a corporate role within the company.

In 2013, Network18 Digital, earlier referred to as Web18, promoted Durga Raghunath as CEO of Firstpost.com. Earlier, she was vice-president, product and executive news producer for Firstpost. Raghunath joined Network18 in 2011 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.

In 2010, Network18 appointed Lakshmi Narasimhan as chief executive officer of its web and mobile arm. Narasimhan was earlier CEO of Infomedia18, the group's special interest publishing and printing operations business.

Network18 Digital comprises a bouquet of the country's leading digital content brands and services. This includes Moneycontrol.com, IBNlive.com, Firstpost.com and Burrp.com. Network18 Digital has also recently launched Firstbiz.com and News18.com. Cumulatively, Network18 Digital reaches over 25 million unique visitors on an average every month, according to comScore.

Commenting on this development, Ajay Chacko, COO, Network18, says, "At Network18 Digital, we are proud to have built cult digital content brands which have had a defining influence on the space. As consumer internet in India undergoes a paradigm shift, we continue to be focused on leading this change from the front. Durga is well-equipped to lead this effort for us due to her strong understanding of the digital user, products and the opportunity."

Narasimhan adds, "Durga has played a stellar role in transforming Firstpost from an innovative idea into a leader brand today. We are confident that in this expanded mandate, she will take Network18 Digital to newer heights."

Raghunath comments, "The Network18 Digital portfolio would make anyone proud. As digital usage and spends spiral up in India, it is exciting to have the opportunity to do more with our existing products as well as build new ones."