New Delhi: ABP Network CEO Avinash Pandey was elected as the president of News Broadcasters & Digital Association (NBDA) on Friday, September 16. Avinash Pandey, who previously served as NBDA's vice president, was elevated as the president during the NBDA’s appointments board meeting held today, where the 14th Annual Report of NBDA was presented. Previous NBDA president Rajat Sharma, who is chairman of the Independent News Services Pvt Ltd, has relinquished the post.
MV Shreyams Kumar, Managing Director of Mathrubhumi Printing & Publishing Co Ltd, has taken over as vice president while Anuradha Prasad Shukla, chairperson-cum-managing director of News24 Broadcast India Ltd, has been elected as honorary treasurer of NBDA for the year 2022-23.
On his appointment, Avinash Pandey thanked the former NBDA president and said: “It is an immense responsibility considering the strategic inflection point our news industry is going through. I thank Rajat Ji for leading us through VUCA time with his impeccable leadership and hard work. I am confident that NBDA members and its board will continue to make a difference to our industry and society."
Commenting on the new appointments, Rajat Sharma said: “Last few years have been extremely challenging for news broadcasters, I am happy that NBDA fought every crisis as a team and won every battle. I’m delighted to hand over the Presidentship to Avinash who has worked very closely with me in NBDA. He has to carry the legacy we have built collectively over the years.”
Other members of the NBDA Board are MK Anand, MD and CEO of Times Network; Rahul Joshi, MD - TV18 Broadcast Ltd.; I Venkat, director Eenadu Television Pvt. Ltd.; Kalli Purie Bhandal, vice-chairperson and MD - TV Today Network Ltd.; Sonia Singh, editorial director, NDTV - New Delhi Television Ltd.; and Anil Malhotra, authorised signatory, Zee Media Corporation Ltd.
Having served the ABP Group since 2005 in various roles, Avinash Pandey became the CEO of ABP Network in January 2019. With over 26 years of experience in the media sector, his illustrious career includes a stint each with the Indian Express Group and the TV Today Group. Avinash Pandey is also on the board of the Indian Chapter of the International Advertising Association (IAA).