Industry Movements for the month June 2009

Gautam Adhikari quits Times Group

Adhikari, a well-known journalist, academic and television commentator, stepped down as the editorial pages editor at The Times of India. He was also group editorial advisor to The Times Group as well as dean at the Times Centre for Media Studies. “I’m going back to the United States to spend more time with my family. I have signed two book deals and will be focussed on writing now,” It is understood that Swagato Ganguly, Deputy Editor, Edit Page, will take over for now.

Bhaskar Group appointments Yatish Rajawat as Managing Editor & Kalpesh Yagnik as National Editor

Dainik Bhaskar has effected two senior level changes. Yatish Rajawat has been promoted to Managing Editor, Dainik Bhaskar, from Executive Editor, of Business Bhaskar, making him responsible for all group publications.

Kalpesh Yagnik has been elevated as National Editor from the position of state editor, Rajasthan.  Both Rajawat and Yagnik will be reporting to Group Editor Shravan Garg, group editor and Sudhir Agarwal, managing director, jointly.

Ambika Soni takes over as Union Minister of I&B

Ambika Soni on June 1st, assumed office as the Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting. Earlier in the XIVth Lok Sabha, she had held the office of Minister of Tourism and Culture.

Network 18 appoints Hatim Kantawalla as Technology Editor

Hatim Kantawalla is new Technology Editor of Network 18. Prior to this Kantawalla was Deputy Head, Test Centre for IT magazines brought out by Jasubhai Group such as Chip, Network Computing and CRN. Kantawalla will be responsible for the editorial operations of Network18’s technology magazines such as Chip, T3 and portals tech2.com and biztech2.com.

Preeti Binoy, new Corp Comm head of Yash Birla Group

Yash Birla Group has appointed Preeti Binoy as the General Manager, Corporate Communications. Preeti will report to Yash Birla, Chairman Yash Birla Group.

Preeti Binoy has about a decade’s industry experience and prior to joining Yash Birla Group, she was the Manager- Corporate Communications with Nimbus Communications.