N Dilip Venkatraman promoted as CEO of CNN-IBN

Venkatraman will take on the new responsibility with immediate effect

Network18 has promoted N Dilip Venkatraman, chief marketing officer, CNN-IBN, IBN7 and IBN-Lokmat, as chief executive officer of the group's English news channel, CNN-IBN, with immediate effect.

In his new role, Venkatraman will be responsible for the strategic, financial and operational management of the news channel. Prior to this, he was responsible for handling the marketing operations of existing and upcoming IBN channels, as well as managing IBN Focus, the alternative media solutions unit for the channels.

In an official communiqué, Venkatraman says, "I believe that, right from the outset, CNN-IBN has set the agenda for news in the country, with its unique brand of inclusive and passionate journalism - which has in turn powered its growth. I hope to work closely with team CNN-IBN to further strengthen our editorial and market leadership."

With more than 19 years of experience, Venkatraman, in the past, has been associated with the India Today Group and Zee Network. He is a graduate in public administration and also holds management qualifications from IIM Bangalore and Harvard Business School.

Apart from his role in building CNN-IBN, IBN7 and IBN-Lokmat, Venkatraman has been the brain behind properties such as CNN-IBN Indian of the Year, Real Heroes, IBN7 Diamond States Awards, Citizen Journalist Awards and IBN7 Super Idols for the group.

B Saikumar, group chief operating officer, Network18, says, "We believe that the English news market is poised for tremendous growth. In Dilip, we entrust the responsibility of managing this growth, ensuring sustained profitability and leading the drive to further enhance the brand's equity and audience franchise."

Rajdeep Sardesai, editor-in-chief, CNN-IBN, IBN7 and IBN-Lokmat, says, "Dilip has been a core member of the team - instrumental in building the IBN news network into a leadership position, beginning with the launch of CNN-IBN in 2005. His remarkable success in communicating our values of inclusive journalism has helped us grow CNN-IBN into a clear leader in English news. We're confident that he'll continue to contribute immensely in the next level of growth for CNN-IBN."