MUMBAI: UTV today announced the appointment of Vikas Varma as chief operating officer (COO) for its television content division. The appointment comes almost 10 months after the former COO Manish Popat "was asked to go" in July 2003.

Varma was formerly with Touché Communications as MD and has 16 years of advertising and entertainment expertise both in the brand building and advertising space.

Varma has wide-ranging experience spanning 16 years in advertising and media and has worked with top ad agencies such as Frank Simoes Advertising, Madison Advertising and Touché Communications in the capacity of MD. He has been instrumental in strategising for and launching a number of durable, FMCG and entertainment brands during the course of his career.

Varma who has launched a number of TV serials and shows like Movers & Shakers and Chappad Phaad Ke among others was been involved in the launch of events like Ms World 1996 and Madhuri's Secrets of Emami.

"We are delighted to have Vikas on board who brings with him 16 years of experience in advertising, branding building, marketing solutions. With his expertise UTV's TV division will see unprecedented growth by making UTV the top software company in Asia," says UTV promoter Ronnie Screwvala.

As COO, Varma will guide the TV division's business strategy and operations along with business development.