I have grown both professionally and personally with BBC’s values: Seema Mohapatra
Seema Mohapatra, who resigned from BBC Worldwide as the Regional Director, South Asia of BBC Advertising, BBC Worldwide’s ad sales company, speaks to exchange4media on some of her thoughts, as she prepares for a new journey.

After almost 12 and a half years with the company, Seem Mohapatra shocked quite a few when on November 14, 2011, she announced her resignation from BBC Worldwide as the Regional Director, South Asia of BBC Advertising, BBC Worldwide’s ad sales company. In her role, Mohapatra was leading the revenue function of BBC World News, BBC Entertainment, BBC.com, mobile and Lonelyplanet.com. She has been with the company since 1999 and has contributed to the company’s growth from a single channel entity to a multi-channel, multi-platform set up.
As Mohapatra readies to exit from the company, she speaks to exchange4media on some of her initial thoughts of leaving a company that she had spent the substantial part of her professional career in. Excerpts:
You are leaving BBC Worldwide after over 12 years --- what are some of the first thoughts as you gear for your next destination?
Excitement at the prospect that the future may hold and sadness at leaving an important part of my life behind. But I am happy I am leaving BBC at a very strong position in India. I can leave with pride because I have been able to deliver across businesses for the organisation, I have set up and led a first-class sales team and I can leave with a legacy of growing the revenue and business year-on-year. It’s been a pleasure to work for such a powerful media brand and build up the business in this part of the world. I have challenged myself to create successes of all the products we have got into the market and I leave behind a growth trajectory, which will continue in the able hands of colleagues.
Since 1999, what were some highpoints of your journey at BBC so far?
Too many to put down but if I take the top five, it would begin with the consolidating of BBC World News’ position in India. We were the first to sight an opportunity and create a separate successful international revenue market. We have been able to establish the digital business in India as well as building a global revenue base across the digital offering. We successfully re-launched the BBC Entertainment channel in India and finally, we were able to create a truly multi-platform and multi-channel advertising sales organisation. Even after 12 and a half years with the BBC, I feel a sense of excitement at being part of one of the most powerful media organisations in the world. I have had the opportunity to launch new channels and start the digital business in India. And I have worked with some amazing people along the way.
BBC has been seeing some tough times globally, and that has had repercussions in India as well. How were you motivating your teams to stay on top and manage a re-launch for BBC Entertainment with over 100 brands?
Globally, and in India, the markets have been dynamic. Under such pressures, effective strategies, with great implementation, work. It’s even more important for leaders to be inspiring and keeping team spirits high. My team has been committed, agile and innovative to stay on top. As you are aware, in recent times BBC has invested in India with the launch of the India edition online, A series of programming looking at India called 'India Direct' on BBC World News and new content on BBC Entertainment.
As you leave BBC, what are some aspects of the company that make you proud?
The absolute emphasis on quality in everything the company does, journalism, programming, delivering to customers, viewers, users as well as advertisers. Quality first and not compromising on the trust and integrity that the organisation stands for across the board. Within the many changing media landscapes, BBC has had strong editorial ethics within which we operate from. I have grown both professionally and personally with such values.
You were handling both channels and BBC's digital presence in India -- what did you find more exciting?
Both are at different stages of development in India and come with different challenges. TV is still growing and digital is where all the new developments are taking place. BBC is online, on mobile, Android, iPad and building a strategy to monetise all of them has been rewarding and exciting. That said, launching a channel is equally exciting and being successful in the hugely crowded market is a big high.
What can we expect from you, from here? Would you like to give entrepreneurship a try, or would you like to continue as a professional in the media industry, or would you like to experiment with another industry altogether?
First take a break, open up my mind and see where the next challenge lies. There are a whole lot host of opportunities ahead including interesting assignments within and beyond the border of media, and in the realm of social entrepreneurship. The priority however is to spend some time with family first.
This year has seen some very high profiled moves in the Indian media industry -- what is your reading of what this means for our industry?
These are exciting times and people have contributed greatly to the success of their media companies. It is great that so many people are moving on to new challenges and looking to do things that will excite them and create new thinking and opportunities!
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Seema Mohapatra resigns from BBC Worldwide
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ABP Network appoints Ananta Natha Jha to lead UnCut
He has been roped in as Associate Vice-President of ABP Live
ABP Network has onboarded Ananta Natha Jha as the Associate Vice-President of ABP Live. With a rich experience in handling digital content and an in-depth understanding of video and radio content, he will take charge as the Editor of the UnCut team. Ananta Natha Jha will lead a young team of journalists who put out digital content for Gen-Z and millennials, the network said.
Jha has experience working at several reputable organisations in crucial roles. A well-recognised voice, he has donned various hats being a radio jockey, a news anchor, voiceover artist, producer, programming head, and a talk show host, stated a release.
Ananta Natha Jha will play a key role in reshaping UnCut and rechanneling focus towards the younger generation with a focus on high-quality content, the release stated.
UnCut is a Gen-Z/millennials-focused vertical of ABP Network.
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Network Advertising appoints Rahool Talukdar as Group Creative Director, Digital
Rahool previously worked at Dentsu iProspect
Network Advertising has announced the appointment of Rahool Talukdar as Group Creative Director, Digital. Rahool, previously at Dentsu iProspect, brings over 15 years of rich experience, having worked across both mainline and digital agencies.
Rahool is captivated by the digital medium and the innovative ways in which brands can connect with audiences through new media storytelling. At Network, he shares, "I resonate with the creative freedom provided by an independent venture, where transparency and clear direction foster professional growth. I am thrilled to be a part of their growth story."
During his tenure at Dentsu iProspect, Rahool led a team responsible for award-winning work on a diverse range of accounts, including State Bank of India, Essilor, Fossil Luxury Watches, Biba Apparels, Angel One, Finolex Pipes, Switzerland Tourism, ICICI Direct, and Shaze Luxury, among others.
Akashneel Dasgupta, CCO, Network Advertising, expresses enthusiasm about Rahool's addition to the team, stating, "Rahool will help shape our future as a fully integrated agency. He possesses extensive experience in nurturing young talent and guiding them towards greater accomplishments. We look forward to an exciting future and exceptional work with him on board."
Vinod Nair, Managing Director, Network Advertising, underscores the significance of digital communication for the agency, saying, "Digital Communication is a crucial element in our integrated offering to clients. Under Rahool's creative leadership, I am eager to see him add value to our clients' businesses alongside his dynamic team."
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Times Network digital head Shouneel Charles to quit after 4+ years
Sources have told e4m that Charles is currently serving his notice period
In his previous assignment, Charles was leading the digital business at NDTV Convergence as Chief Sales & Marketing Officer and Chief Revenue Officer. He has also worked with multinational companies like Yahoo, Turner Broadcasting, Star India and National Geographic where he launched multiple channels and media properties.
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CNBC’s Latha Venkatesh to “transition” out of daily anchoring schedule
Venkatesh is taking the ‘break’ from August 1 to plan son’s wedding
Latha Venkatesh, Executive Editor with CNBC-TV18, will be “transitioning” out of the daily anchoring schedule and play much more of a supervisory role.” The arrangement will come into effect on August 1.
Venkatesh will continue to be the Executive Editor, and “only take a break from the daily activities.” She will be taking the break to plan her son’s wedding.
“Latha mam has kept the fire burning for almost two decades. She has brought her heart to work every day. Never once complained about the long hours, the stress, the pressure, because she loves what she does with a passion that is undeniable. As is the case with her, she doesn’t do anything half-heartedly and so as she gets ready to plan a BIG FAT INDIAN WEDDING for her son, she is keen to free up her time and mind space to focus on a wonderful life altering moment,” read an internal communication at CNBC accessed by exchange4media.
“She will continue to do her special shows and come in to do links/interviews etc even on daily shows as necessary and appropriate. But from Aug 1, she will not be anchoring Bazaar as a regular feature or fixing the show etc,” the read the communication.
Sonal Bhutra will take over from Venkatesh.
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OMD India ropes in Udhayakumar Pasupathi to lead Chennai office
Pasupathi has spent the last 9 years at Mindshare where his most recent role was that of cluster lead in Bangalore...
OMD India has onboarded Udhayakumar Pasupathi as new Lead at the company’s Chennai office, reporting to Sulina Menon, Chief Client Officer, OMD India.
“Udhaya is an MBA graduate in marketing and joins with 12 years of diverse and prolific industry experience. He spent the last 9 years at Mindshare where his most recent role was that of cluster lead in Bangalore. Udhay has also worked with Lodestar UM, and has worn multiple hats as a planner, team lead, strategist, and media consultant. His roles have pivoted around providing integrated strategic solutions to brands, including marquee names such as Max Fashion, Lifestyle, Home Centre and Eenadu, among many others,” the agency said.
Commenting on the new appointment, Sulina Menon said, “We’re extremely pleased to have someone like Udhaya, with his experience and expertise, join our Chennai team, and are confident that we will benefit greatly from the insights he brings to the table. I’m especially excited about the growth journey ahead and look forward to collectively pursuing a host of new opportunities.”
Priti Murthy, CEO OMD India welcomed Udhaya Pasupathi on board saying, “All of us at OMD are eagerly looking forward to Udhaya’s fresh new perspectives combined with the rich repertoire of industry knowledge he’s gathered over the years. There are some exciting growth avenues ahead, and we can’t wait to unlock them together.”
Speaking about this new step in his career, Udhaya Pasupathi reflected, “It’s been over a decade of experience, learnings and leadership in the realm of media strategy & planning, and surely there’s no better place to mark 12 years than OMD. With its vast global network and its growth-driven environment, I’m delighted to be in a space where together we quite literally make better decisions, faster!”
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OMD India ropes in Udhayakumar Pasupathi to lead Chennai office
Pasupathi has spent the last 9 years at Mindshare where his most recent role was that of cluster lead in Bangalore
OMD India has onboarded Udhayakumar Pasupathi as new Lead at the company’s Chennai office, reporting to Sulina Menon, Chief Client Officer, OMD India.
“Udhaya is an MBA graduate in marketing and joins with 12 years of diverse and prolific industry experience. He spent the last 9 years at Mindshare where his most recent role was that of cluster lead in Bangalore. Udhay has also worked with Lodestar UM, and has worn multiple hats as a planner, team lead, strategist, and media consultant. His roles have pivoted around providing integrated strategic solutions to brands, including marquee names such as Max Fashion, Lifestyle, Home Centre and Eenadu, among many others,” the agency said.
Commenting on the new appointment, Sulina Menon said, “We’re extremely pleased to have someone like Udhaya, with his experience and expertise, join our Chennai team, and are confident that we will benefit greatly from the insights he brings to the table. I’m especially excited about the growth journey ahead and look forward to collectively pursuing a host of new opportunities.”
Priti Murthy, CEO OMD India welcomed Udhaya Pasupathi on board saying, “All of us at OMD are eagerly looking forward to Udhaya’s fresh new perspectives combined with the rich repertoire of industry knowledge he’s gathered over the years. There are some exciting growth avenues ahead, and we can’t wait to unlock them together.”
Speaking about this new step in his career, Udhaya Pasupathi reflected, “It’s been over a decade of experience, learnings and leadership in the realm of media strategy & planning, and surely there’s no better place to mark 12 years than OMD. With its vast global network and its growth-driven environment, I’m delighted to be in a space where together we quite literally make better decisions, faster!”
Read more news about (internet advertising India, internet advertising, advertising India, digital advertising India, media advertising India)
For more updates, be socially connected with us onInstagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook Youtube & Whatsapp
OMD India ropes in Udhayakumar Pasupathi to lead Chennai office
Pasupathi has spent the last 9 years at Mindshare where his most recent role was that of cluster lead in Bangalore
OMD India has onboarded Udhayakumar Pasupathi as new Lead at the company’s Chennai office, reporting to Sulina Menon, Chief Client Officer, OMD India.
“Udhaya is an MBA graduate in marketing and joins with 12 years of diverse and prolific industry experience. He spent the last 9 years at Mindshare where his most recent role was that of cluster lead in Bangalore. Udhay has also worked with Lodestar UM, and has worn multiple hats as a planner, team lead, strategist, and media consultant. His roles have pivoted around providing integrated strategic solutions to brands, including marquee names such as Max Fashion, Lifestyle, Home Centre and Eenadu, among many others,” the agency said.
Commenting on the new appointment, Sulina Menon said, “We’re extremely pleased to have someone like Udhaya, with his experience and expertise, join our Chennai team, and are confident that we will benefit greatly from the insights he brings to the table. I’m especially excited about the growth journey ahead and look forward to collectively pursuing a host of new opportunities.”
Priti Murthy, CEO OMD India welcomed Udhaya Pasupathi on board saying, “All of us at OMD are eagerly looking forward to Udhaya’s fresh new perspectives combined with the rich repertoire of industry knowledge he’s gathered over the years. There are some exciting growth avenues ahead, and we can’t wait to unlock them together.”
Speaking about this new step in his career, Udhaya Pasupathi reflected, “It’s been over a decade of experience, learnings and leadership in the realm of media strategy & planning, and surely there’s no better place to mark 12 years than OMD. With its vast global network and its growth-driven environment, I’m delighted to be in a space where together we quite literally make better decisions, faster!”
Read more news about (internet advertising India, internet advertising, advertising India, digital advertising India, media advertising India)
For more updates, be socially connected with us onInstagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook Youtube & Whatsapp