Alok Agrawal to replace Barun Das at Zee News

Das has called it quits.

Barun Das, CEO, Zee News has put in his papers at the organisation. As reported by afaqs! early last week, Alok Agarwal will replace Das as CEO, Zee News. afaqs! had reported last week that Agrawal has joined the channel in a senior managerial position.

This was confirmed by the company through an official communique late on Sunday. Punit Goenka, Managing Director, Zee News Limited said, "Over last five years Barun has contributed immensely to the growth of Zee News and taken the company to greater heights. We wish him the best for his future endeavor."

Agrawal was COO, Cheil Worldwide. Das has worked with Zee News for the past five years as CEO. He joined the organisation in October, 2007.

Das is an alumnus of IIT Madras and has a PG diploma from IIM Calcutta. He has also studied at the London School of Economics (LSE). He worked with the India Today Group as associate publisher, business division in the initial years of his career. Later, he joined Astro All Asia Network as head of international business development. He was based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Subsequently, he shifted to MCCS (Media Content and Communication Services) as vice-president in the corporate function. From there, he came on-board Zee News as CEO.

For the record, Agrawal ended his four-year stint with Cheil Worldwide Southwest Asia in August this year. He has an experience of more than two decades in advertising, branding, communication and marketing. He joined Cheil Worldwide, India in 2008.

Earlier, he had worked with Bates as executive vice-president for almost five years. He had also worked with Grey Worldwide as associate vice-president, India, during his first stint with the agency. He was with the company for about five years. Even earlier, he was group account director at Euro RSCG India during1997-98.

Last year around the same time, Joy Chakraborthy left ZEEL as executive director, revenue and niche channels to join TV Today as CEO, replacing G Krishnan. Chakraborthy, however, left TV Today in July.

Earlier this year, Zee News lost another old hand at the channel when Satish Singh, editor was replaced by Sudhir Chaudhary. Singh had a 14-year stint at the channel.