Mail Today ropes in Manoj Sharma as business head

Sharma will replace S Balakrishnan, who put in his papers in January.

Mail Today has roped in Manoj Sharma, ex-group business head, India TV, as the tabloid's business head. Sources close to the development say that he will assume the new role from this week. He will replace Suresh Balakrishnan, chief operating officer, Mail Today, who put in his papers in January.

In his new role, Sharma will report to Ashish Bagga, chief executive officer, India Today Group, and will be based in Delhi. This is Sharma's third stint with the India Today Group.

There was no official confirmation from the India Today Group.

Sharma had quit India TV in November 2010 after a short stint of 10 months. At India TV, he was responsible for handling the business expansion plans of the entire group, including Independent News, India TV Interactive, Independent Media, Studio Brahma, and India TV Mission.

Sharma began his career with The Times of India as a trainee and after a short stint that lasted for a year, he moved to India Today as an executive in 1990. He went on to become senior general manager and was responsible for the North region of the company. During this time, he handled the launch of Cosmopolitan and Today, the afternoon newspaper. With more than 20 years of experience, Sharma has spent 18 years with the India Today Group.

He was also associated with CNBC-TV18 for a short duration as business development head, North and East, before moving back to the India Today group.

During his second association with the group, Sharma was appointed head, Impact team, the advertising and sales function of India Today.