Monica Nayar Patnaik is MD, Eastern Media

Patnaik has nearly 18 years of experience. She was previously the joint managing director.

Eastern Media has promoted Monica Nayar Patnaik as MD of the company, which has brands such as Sambad, Radio Choklate and Kanak TV.

She has nearly 18 years of experience and was the founder of the group's radio arm Radio Choklate. The other appointments include Tanaya Patnaik's promotion as executive director, Eastern Media. She was previously director, Kanak TV, Eastern Media.

Soumya Ranjan Patnaik continues to be the CMD and editor, Sambad. K K Mohapatra continues to be the chief operating officer and Rajeev Srivastava as the chief marketing officer.

Eastern Media's flagship brand Sambad, the Oriya daily, recently turned 30. The group commemorated the occasion by launching a new logo. For the record, Sambad was launched on October 4, 1984, and was the first ever Oriya newspaper to hit the stands as a 'morninger'. It was also the first newspaper to introduce computerised photo-type setting, offset printing and colour printing (which it did with its Sunday colour pull-out).

Six years into the business, Sambad launched its first regional edition from Berhampur. At present, Sambad has eight editions.