Pavan Varshnei calls it a day at ABP Group

Varshnei was president, English language publications at ABP; Kaushik Banerjee will take over as vice-president, English magazines.

Pavan Varshnei, president, English language publications at the ABP Group has decided to call it a day after a four-year stint. Varshnei will move on to explore new opportunities in media and advertising. Kaushik Banerjee will take over from Varshnei as vice-president, English magazines with effect from March 1.

Banerjee was vice-president, Anandabazar Patrika (brand) before this. He will relocate to New Delhi from Kolkata.

Both Varshnei and Banerjee could not be reached for their comments.

Varshnei joined ABP in 2008 to run Businessworld. Later he was instrumental in setting up and launching the Fortune India magazine. Earlier, he was publishing director of the business division at the India Today Group. At India Today, Varshnei helped launch four new publications - Scientific American, Harvard Business Review, Men's Health and BT More - besides identifying new segments.

He also negotiated a joint venture with Germany's Axel Springer Group to launch Auto Bild India.

A veteran in the advertising industry, Varshnei spent 14 years at Lintas India before joining the India Today Group in 2004, and last served as the executive vice-president at the agency.

He worked across several Unilever brands and other brands such as Maruti Suzuki, Electrolux, Joyco, Wills Lifestyle and Sony Ericsson. He also served as head of insight and oversaw the AOR (agency of record) media business for Bajaj Auto, Idea Cellular, UTI, Pantaloon and Parle Agro.

A Chevening scholar from the London School of Economics, UK, Varshnei graduated from St Stephen's College, Delhi and holds an MBA degree with distinction from the Asian Institute of Management, Manila.