Avinash Kaul to join IBN18 Network as CEO

He will manage CNN-IBN, IBN7 and IBN Lokmat. Earlier, Kaul was CEO of Zoom, Times Now and ET Now.

Avinash Kaul, erstwhile chief executive officer of Times Now, ET Now and Zoom, is joining IBN18 Network as CEO. He will manage CNN-IBN, IBN7 and IBN Lokmat.

He will step into Dilip Venkatraman's shoes, who quit TV18 in August 2013, to pursue entrepreneurial interests. Based in the channel's Noida office, Venkatraman was CEO of CNN-IBN and IBN7. Ajay Chacko, COO of Network18 was overseeing the operations of the IBN News Network in the interim.

At Times Television Network, Kaul was based in Mumbai; it is still not known whether his new role will take him to Noida, where CNN-IBN's head office is located.

As reported by afaqs! earlier, Kaul quit TTN last month, following the restructuring within the organisation.

In his new role, Kaul will be responsible for the day-to-day operational, strategic and financial management of IBN18's general news network. Amongst the key tasks mandated for him is the consolidation and diversification of TV18's general news network.

On Kaul's appointment, B Saikumar, group CEO, Network18, says, "Avinash brings a very successful track record as a leader and a wealth of knowledge about the media and broadcasting industry. Now, as we gear up for an ambitious phase of growth, I am convinced that he has the inclusive skills and leadership that are needed to steer us through. He has our best wishes and support."

Chacko adds, "The IBN18 Network has over the years consolidated its leadership in the news space. I am confident of Avinash's ability to play a significant role to sustain the growth and leadership momentum of these stellar brands. He will be working closely with the talented and resourceful marketing, editorial and sales teams to achieve this."

"With the heightened interest in general news among the populace as is evident in the highest turnout percentage in the General Elections, the timing of me joining Network18 couldn't have been better. My mandate is to ensure leadership of the brands and continued business success with a clear focus on general news across various languages," Kaul comments on his new role at IBN18 Network.

Kaul brings with him over 15 years of experience in broadcast, across business verticals like advertising sales, distribution, programming and marketing.

He has worked across genres including news, general entertainment, kids, regional entertainment, movie and lifestyle channels in India.

Kaul started his career as a media planner with HTA Fulcrum and subsequently moved to Discovery Communications and STAR India. This was followed by NDTV Media, where he handled diverse portfolios in operations and marketing and headed its consulting division.

Kaul joined TTN as CEO, Zoom in August 2010 from Sahara One, where he held the same position. Subsequently, he was given the responsibility of managing the English business news channel, ET Now, along with Zoom, in December, 2011.

In 2012, he was given additional responsibility of heading Times Now as CEO, continuing to report to Sunil Lulla before the latter took on a new role at BCCL.