Former CEO Sahara One named Exe Dir of UTV's new broadcasting ventur

New Delhi, Apr 10: UTV Software Communications Ltd today announced appointment of former Chief Executive Officer of Sahara One Media and Entertainment Shantonu Aditya as Executive Director of its newly formed Subsidiary UTV Broadcasting Ltd, Ronald D'Mello as CEO of UTV-UK and Zarina Mehta as CEO of its youth subsidiary.

The appointments were announced as part of strategic changes in the overall top management, UTV said.

According to the announcement, Mr Shantonu Aditya will join as Executive Director of UTV Broadcasting Ltd and CEO of V&S Broadcasting Ltd.

As the Executive Director he will set up the entire distribution bouquet of the UTV Group's forthcoming broadcast initiatives including the already announced 'Bindaas' and 'Olive' Channels.

Furthermore, he will be responsible for strategic initiatives in Broadcasting including identification of JV Partners.

As the CEO of Vand S Broadcasting Ltd, he will head the launch and running of Variety, Entertainment and Speciality Channels, the details of which will be announced shortly. In his 25 years of work experience in a variety of businesses including media, consumer products and engineering, Mr Shantonu has worked with Sony Entertainment Television and also with SET Discovery Pvt Ltd (the joint venture Company of SET India and Discovery Communications India also known as "ONE ALLIANCE") as President.

In his last assignment, he was the Chief Executive Officer of Sahara One Media and Entertainment Ltd.

He will report to the Group Chairman.

In the second appointment, Mr Ronald D'Mello will take over as CEO, UTV-UK which will house all of UTV's New Media Initiatives including its Animation business (UTV Toons), its Post Production and SFX business (UTV Post) as well as the recent controlling investment in "Ignition UK" (Console Game development and publishing Company) and "India Games" leading mobile and online gaming company) the controlling interest of which UTV is acquiring .

Mr D'Mello will spearhead the growth and strategy on the new media business vertical of UTV and will be based in the UK or India as required. He will continue to be on the Board of Directors of the parent Company UTV and report the Group Chairman. Ms Zarina Mehta will take charge as CEO, GenX Ltd -- the youth subsidiary of UTV which houses the brand Bindaas, and its related Channels and other businesses relating to the youth activities including web, gaming and Events.

She will continue to be on the Board of Directors of UTV and report to the Group Chairman. Talking about the top level announcements, chairman of UTV Software Communications Ltd Ronnie Screwvala, said. Our entire New Media Initiatives is a very high priority area for the group that requires a focused attention for high growth, and whose geography is substantially originated in the UK and US. Mr D'Mello has built a great team in our animation and post production business, aided by another founder colleague Mr Deven Khote who will also be part of the new edia group.

With the inclusion of Ignition and India games into our group, Mr D'Mello will have a strong support of industry veterans like Vishal Gondal and Samir Bangara of Indiagames and Vijay Chadha and Andy Whitehurst of Ignition.

On the other appointments, he said, ''Zarina Mehta has been part of the founder directors of the UTV, and with the recent scorching success of Hungama under her leadership, she is one of the best candidates in the industry to grow this virgin and pioneering segment of the Youth Space which represents close to a third of the Indian population. Also, Mr Shantonu Aditya will head our distribution initiatives in broadcasting as well as to launch some very exciting speciality channels that UTV has been ideating on over the last six months.

UNI