Sonali Krishna in Mumbai | January 14, 2006 13:25 IST
Last Updated: January 14, 2006 13:56 IST
Tarun Katial, executive vice-president (programming) and business head, Sony Entertainment Television (SET), is joining the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Enterprise (ADAE). Katial, who was responsible for SET's format shows like Indian Idol and Fame Gurukul, will spearhead the Ambani group's radio initiative.
Kunal Dasgupta, CEO, SET confirmed that Katial had indeed put in his papers. "Katial has decided to move on. His stint at Sony has been of immense value to us," said Dasgupta, adding, that he would continue to with SET until it finds a suitable replacement.
Katial would continue to be a consultant for SET on its programming initiatives. Prior to his stint at SET, Katial was with Star TV.
However, its not known when Katial would take up his new assignment at the Ambani group, which recently bagged six licenses for FM radio in New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore.
Katial becomes the fourth mediaman to join the ADAE camp, which has been on a high-profile lookout for media professionals.
Recently, the group roped in Divya Gupta, former president of The Media Edge (TME) -- a Rediffusion arm -- as media advisor.
Prior to her appointment, the ADAE appointed Sandip Tarkas, former CEO, RK Swamy's Media Direction, as the media head of ADAE. Rajesh Sawhney, as president of Reliance Entertainment.
http://www.rediff.com/money/2006/jan/14kat.htm
With Tarun Katial's departure, COO N P Singh to handle Sony directlyJanuary 16, 06
Noor Fathima Warsia Things are finally clarifying at Sony Entertainment Television. With Tarun Katial, Business Head and EVP of the channel, moving on from the organisation to join Adlabs Radio as COO, SET's COO, N P Singh, will be directly involved with Sony. Singh informed that the recently instituted structure would allow the channel to continue its operations smoothly. Rajesh Sawhney, President, Reliance Entertainment, divulged that Katial was set to join Adlabs Radio as Chief Operating Officer. As is known, the Anil Ambani run ADA Enterprises had recently acquired a stake in Adlabs and Sawhney informed that the re-branding of the radio venture was on the anvil. He further said that it was not yet decided when Katial would be joining. Katial had joined Sony in 2004 as EVP-Programming and Response. In the organisational restructuring in 2005, he was made the Business Head of Sony TV. Speaking on his two-year stint in the organisation, Katial said, "I am very proud of the kind of ground breaking TV that we had been able to do for the past two years." However, Katial is still not too forthcoming on his decision on destination next. He merely said, "I wanted to try something new in media. I'm still involved with quite a bit at Sony and I don't know for how much longer." Singh informed that the handover was in process at present. The duties that Katial's role embodied as Business Head of the channel falls in Singh's plate. "I'll be taking charge of these duties directly until a replacement has been identified," the SET COO said.
In the recent changes made in the channel's structure, Anupama Mandloi was made Senior VP, Programming-On-air projects, while Gursheel Walia looks at new content creation and Nina Jaipuria heads Marketing. Hitherto all, these heads were reporting to Katial, and in his absence, would report to Singh.
Anupamaa
Current Affairs
