Zee Telefilms Ltd (ZTL) has hired another CEO, adding to the clutch of chiefs who run the company. This time it is advertising agency Rediffusion DY&R president Sandeep Goyal who is going to be at the helm of its broadcasting operations.

"We are happy that we have found in Sandeep the right mix of creativity and commercial acumen," says Zee TV chairman Subhash Chandra. "Despite him being young - just 38 years- Sandeep will be able to build on the strengths of the Zee Network which he is inheriting. He will be able to build stronger bonds with stakeholders (media buyers, viewers and the society) by providing them the infotainment they are looking for. We welcome him on the team."

Goyal has 15 years of advertising industry experience with agencies ranging from HTA, Trikaya Grey, Mudra, to Rediffusion Advertising. He will take up his posting from June 2001.

Will Goyal be able to work some magic into Zee especially at a time when it needs some of that badly? It's a tricky question.

One will have to wait and watch how the other CEOs in the group react to the appointment and how much leeway Chandra gives Goyal. Chandra obviously is banking on his youth to bring in some refreshing changes. And since television is an untried and untested area for him, he well may.

With the announcement of Goyal's appointment finally being made, rumour that HFCL Nine Broadcasting CEO Ravina Raj Kohli would join Zee TV can now be put to rest.

Sandeep Goyal Picture courtesy Business Standard