ZEEL appoints Rajesh Sethi as CEO, Taj Television

Atul Pandey, former CEO at the company, is being moved to another role in the Essel Group.

Rajesh Sethi, after being in different marketing roles for about 20 years, is entering the media industry through Taj Television. He will be the new chief executive officer with the sports broadcaster.

Taj Television, that broadcasts five sports channels in India, is a fully-owned subsidiary of Zee Entertainment Enterprises (ZEEL). Sethi, in his new role, will manage the sports business and report to Punit Goenka, managing director and CEO, ZEEL.

Sethi will be responsible for the overall sports business, that includes Essel Sports Business (Mumbai Football Club, All Sports Magazine, ICL and all new initiatives) and the broadcasting business (Ten Sports, Ten Cricket, Ten HD, Ten Action and Ten Golf).

Atul Pande, erstwhile CEO of the sports business, will be given a new role in the Essel Group. He had held the post of CEO since 2009.

In an official communiqué, Goenka says, "We are confident that Sethi's rich experience will bring in immense value to the organisation, enhancing the performance of our sports business by many folds."

Sethi, in his 20-year career, has served various industries like insurance, consumer services and automobile. Earlier, Sethi was region director and CEO, India and Southeast Asia, Allianz Global Assistance.

Sethi says, "Media & Entertainment is an extremely dynamic sector, and I am glad to join a brand which is a leader in this category."

An alumnus of Harvard Business School, Sethi holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, a professional diploma in international business and PGDM in sales and marketing. He has also been awarded the 'Global Indian Achiever's Award for Business Excellence 2012' by the Economic Development Forum, and the 'Rashtriya Udyog Ratna Award' by the National Education & Human Resource Development Organization (NEHRDO) in October, 2012.

Sethi was with Tata Motors as general manager between 1997 and 2001. Later, he moved to join GE Infrastructures as business manager, commercial, service and operations in 2001. After spending three years in this capacity, he shifted to GE Money as business leader, retail loans in 2006.

Between 2008 and 2013, Sethi was with Allianz Global Assistance in different capacities.