MUMBAI: Network18 has promoted N Dilip Venkatraman to a newly created post of CEO, CNN-IBN. He will lead Network18‘s English news channel with immediate effect.
In his new role, Venkatraman will be responsible for the strategic, financial and operational management of the channel.
Network18 is going through a restructuring phase as it is preparing for its next phase of growth. The company had recently elevated Anil Uniyal to the newly created post of CEO - CNBC-TV18 and CNBC Awaaz. It had also moved Ajay Chacko, who was playing a critical role in looking after CNBC-TV18, CNBC Awaaz and Forbes India, to its new joint venture company, AETN18, as its president.
Earlier in his role as chief marketing officer of CNN-IBN, IBN7 and IBN-Lokmat, Venkatraman was leading marketing operations for all existing and upcoming IBN channels and managing IBN Focus, the alternative media solutions unit for the channels, as COO.
Network18 Group COO B Saikumar said, “We believe that the English news market is poised for tremendous growth and CNN-IBN would be best placed to lead this emerging trend. In Dilip, we entrust the responsibility of managing this growth, ensuring sustained profitability and leading the drive to further enhance the brand’s equity and audience franchise.”
Venkatraman is known for conceptualising properties at Network18 including CNN-IBN Indian of the Year, Real Heroes, IBN7 Diamond States Awards, Citizen Journalist Awards and IBN7 Super Idols.
CNN-IBN, IBN7, IBN-Lokmat Editor-in-Chief Rajdeep Sardesai said, “Dilip has been a core member of the team instrumental in building the IBN news network into a leadership position, beginning with the launch of CNN-IBN in 2005. His remarkable success in communicating our values of inclusive journalism has helped us grow CNN-IBN into a clear leader in English news and ensured that CNN-IBN, IBN 7 and IBN Lokmat evolve into the stellar editorial brands that they are today and we’re confident that he’ll continue to contribute immensely in the next level of growth for CNN-IBN.”
Venkatraman has over 19 years of corporate experience and prior to joining Network18, he held leadership positions at the India Today Group and Zee Network. He is a graduate in public administration and holds management qualifications from IIM Bangalore and Harvard Business School.
Venkatraman added, “I believe that, right from the outset, CNN-IBN has set the agenda for news in the country with its unique brand of inclusive and passionate journalism which has inturn powered its growth. I hope to work closely with team CNN-IBN to further strengthen our editorial and market leadership.”
