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Mul$-pla(orm Brand Building and Enhancement

Strategic usage of tools and techniques to drive revenue and market presence

Crea$ve Copywri$ng / Edi$ng

Copy & Video

Newsroom Management / News Planning & Delivery

Innova$on / Team Management / Skills

enhancement

AJAY THAKUR

Email: journalist.ajay@gmail.com w Mob: + 971 508128214 / +91 9158985124

Editor | Brand Builder | Multimedia Communication Designer

PROFILE SYNOPSIS

Strategic and proactive decision maker, result-oriented and versatile bimedia journalist offering over 21 years of commendable experience with in-depth exposure in leading and developing Print as well as Broadcast Media Brands, leading Multimedia Newsrooms with a 360 degree approach to Conceptualising News agenda across content, revenue and brand perception domains

Comprehensive understanding of all aspects of successful branding including integration of multiplatform initiatives across terrestrial and digital media in close collaboration with editorial and sales team to complement and magnify client strategies, marketing communication, advertising, public relations, and media planning. Developed and implemented innovative marketing and advertising strategies that increased product awareness, enhanced business volumes, market share and company profitability

Distinction of leading and accelerating growth in newspaper industry with over a 130% increase in circulation and a three hundred percent rise in website traffic in six months. Expert in media startups and turnaround management and reviving newspaper and news channels to new heights from near closure including building strong favourable public perception and enhancing their marketplace reputation

Acclaimed Journalist with ability to understand the complexities and nuances of newspaper industry and media operations. Excels in development of communications strategies, maintenance of international media contacts, media planning & government liaison.

An excellent communicator with good problem anticipation and analytical skills; Out of the Box thinker; Idea Leader; Trainer; Adept in providing leadership & direction in continuously improving performance and developing strategy, approach, content & structure; capable of resolving multiple & complex issues and motivating staff to peak performance.

CORE COMPETENCIES

CAREER CONTOUR

The Goan on Saturday, Goa - India Editor (May 2012 Present)

STV Goa News, Goa - India

News Editor / Assignment Editor(March 2007 till August 2008)

BBC World Service, India Output Editor (September 2005 - February 2007 / March 1996 February 2003)

STAR News, Goa - India

Bureau Head Goa (March 2003 till August 2005)

Nepal 1 Television, Nepal Country Head / Executive Producer (Oct 2008 till March 2011)

Western India Shipyard Limited - India

Manager Public Relations / Corporate Communications (October 1994 till January 1996)

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DOMAIN SKILLS

Editing & Business Development

R Spearheading in conceptualisation and execution of newsroom strategy in accordance with the objectives of the newspaper.

R Managing the entire editing and production process for the newspaper with key accountability of increasing reader basket and circulation.

R Leading online editionsprovidingcomplete digital medium of news through active participation in video news and engage in gathering views from readers in the form of blogs, interviews, etc.

R Planning and designing the writing style; using appropriate headlines/ captions and illustrations for enhancing the general presentation of the newspaper.

R Managing the creation of publications by organizing material within deadlines according to set standards maintaining clarity, conciseness and style. Designing the layout and structure of the newspaper by screening and selecting appropriate stories and news items.

R Coordinating with writers & production departments to discuss presentation of articles and providing unique analysis and perspectives that are not discussed in other publications.

R Networking with top executives across industry for insights on new trends that can be covered in future features, as well as for participation in special issues.

R Maintaining latest updates on positive developments in the industry, corporate insights and emerging trends in media innovation.

R Interview and hire journalists, subeditors, stone editors and provide them necessary training to match the high values of the organization.

Marketing & Brand Operations

R Define the brand, brand guidelines and visual identity and managed the brand & marketing function through both online and offline mediums.

R Plan and implement proactive initiatives with integrated and/or sponsorship opportunities that reflect brand values besides planning and implementing complete marketing operations and end to end media planning. Managing the brand & marketing function through both online and offline advertising mediums.

R Organizing, measuring and implementing all BTL & ATL activities and coordinate the same with agencies. Making concept notes for the Ad agencies and overlooking the creative made by them.

R Briefing the Advertising & various agencies on the concept and the brand strategy. Actively involved in the creative and the development of the Ad & Print campaigns.

R Managing the entire gamut of communication activities entailing conceptualising promotional materials, advertisements, packaging, brochures, organize media interactions.

R Preparing communication plans to realize the organizations objectives and analysing post communication impact; staying abreast of new communication tools and using them effectively.

R Analysing, making and implementing online and social marketing to generate leads, improve brand positioning and maximize revenue generation.

R Ideating collateral designs for an integrated business focus approach synthesizing the best of creative for all marketing communications.

OTHER ASSIGNMENTS

Gomantak Times, Goa -India Correspondent (April 2011 till April 2012)

The Times of India, India

Correspondent (April 2008 till Sept 2008)

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CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

THE GOAN ON SATURDAY

R Distinguished efforts in achieving the fastest growth in newspaper industry in the region - a hundred and thirty percent (130%) increase in circulation within a year.

R Successfully accelerated growth in web traffic for any news or non-news website in the region - a three hundred percent (300%) rise in website traffic in six months.

R Played a stellar role in bringing the losses to the newspaperby over sixty seven percent (67%) by streamlining the editorial and introducing revenue driven, consumer specific newspaper page.

R Outstanding contribution in steering growth by redesigning and introducing the most unique of newspaper websites in the region.

R Introduced / Launched the first ever signature pages of its kind in a newspaper in the region

A Good News (a page dedicated only to the good work done by governments)

A iScool (a newspaper page designed and created by individual schools)

A Campus Room (a newspaper page designed and created by individual colleges)

A I Am The Goan (a newspaper page where citizens report about local issues directly and officials answer)

R Fastest promotion in the regional Newspaper Industry elevated from Editor Investigations to Deputy Editor in seven months and as Editor in twenty two months from joining The Goan.

NEPAL 1 TV

R Significant role in reviving Nepal 1, Nepals 3rd Biggest Channel which nearly shut down by negotiating with striking employees, evolving a consensus based conducive working atmosphere in a civil-war torn country.

R Instrumental in the launch of three region specific language programmes aimed at different ethnic groups of specific parts of Nepal.

R Brought the closed channel back into significant television ranking that helped restart revenue generation processes with multimedia brand building initiatives.

R Partnered with Europe, US and Asia foreign television news networks for content sharing and twinning programmes.

STV GOA NEWS

R Exemplary role in building from ground up the regions first ever satellite television newsgathering team by recruiting and hiring teams.

R Conceptualised and Presented the regions first ever Television Chat Show called Heart Talk with Ajay which was an in-the-face interview programme.

R Succeeded in tying up with local sports major and conceived and executed the first ever satellite broadcast of football and other sports from the region.

ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS Master of Arts in Broadcast Journalism - University of Sheffield in 2006

NCTJ Law Examination - National Council of Journalist Training London, United Kingdom in 2006

Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism - Indian Institute of Mass Communication in 1994

Advanced Diploma in Production & Direction for Television - Academy 18 in 1996

Bachelor of Arts, Honours in Economics - Sambalpur University, India in 1992

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Nominated for Editor of the Year Award

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IT SKILLS Proficient in Windows, MS Office, Adobe InDesign, ENPS, Final Cut Pro, Cool Edit Pro, Burli Radioman

PERSONAL DOSSIER

Date of Birth: 5thMarch 1971 | Languages Known: English | Nationality: Indian