Bharat Kapadia takes charge at Jagran-TV18 JV; to lead the Indian language business dailies foray

Bharat Kapadia has joined the recently announced Jagran-TV18 JV, Jagran-18 Publications Ltd, as CEO and Managing Editor. The primary mandate of this JV is to launch a Hindi business daily in 2008. Subsequently, this will be followed by other Indian language dailies focused on financial and economic news. Kapadia would be reporting to the Board of this JV.
It may be recalled that TV18 and Jagran Prakashan (JPL) had announced a 50:50 joint venture initiative in the business print space.
Commenting on Kapadia’s appointment, Mahendra Mohan, Chairman and Managing Director of Jagran Prakashan Ltd, said, “The language media space has revealed strong potential for specialised business news and information, which this venture will fulfill. The business dailies that will be launched through this venture will further strengthen Jagran Prakashan’s portfolio of market leading offerings to millions of its readers. Bharat’s credentials in the print media space are exemplary and we believe he will be a real strength to us as we create value from this opportunity.”
Haresh Chawla, Group CEO, Network18, said, “Strategically, our print foray, including the business daily venture with Jagran, marks the next level of growth for Network18 as we strengthen our position as India’s leading full play media and entertainment entity. Bharat comes with many years of rich experience in the publishing space and an intricate knowledge of building long lasting print brands and thus, will be an invaluable asset in our print plans.”
Kapadia said, “With the increasing economic growth in the country and rapid transformation of consumer tastes and media habits in all regional markets, the print space has become a centre of innovation and activity. The Jagran-TV18 JV presents an exciting proposition of building a leading print brand that fulfills the ever growing need for business news and information. Moreover, I was most impressed with the growth plans and work culture of both the JV partners and I’m delighted to be a part of it.”
Kapadia was previously Executive Director at the Bhaskar Group. Prior to that, he had led the transformation of ‘Chitralekha’ into a “strong regional brand”. Amongst his most recent accomplishments has been the ‘Vote for Taj’ project, the movement for Taj Mahal’s inclusion in the New 7 Wonders of the World, which he spearheaded. Kapadia is widely recognised as one of the most prominent names in print media. He has been featured twice by Mid-Day as one of the Top 50 Power Points in media as well as by ‘Pitch’ magazine. He has won the coveted Ad Club Media Innovation Award twice and the Emvies Media Marketer of the Year Award in 2001. Kapadia has held important posts in various industrial bodies, including Chairman, Project Press Committee of the Indian Newspaper Society; Board member and ex-chairman, Advertising Standards Council of India; and Ex-chairman, Media Research Users’ Council.

© exchange4media 2008

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