Lakshmi Narasimhan to move as CEO, Web18

Lakshmi Narasimhan, who was earlier heading the Group’s special interest publishing & printing operations business, INFOMEDIA18 will now move in as the CEO of WEB18,the Group’s web and mobile business. With a wide portfolio of benchmark brands and services across the new media spectrum, WEB18 is currently the country's second largest internet player. Amongst others, WEB18 runs India’s market leading web portals including Moneycontrol.com,In.com,Ibnlive.com and a host of pioneering web based services and applications such as bookmyshow, markets on mobile.

Surya Mantha who was earlier the CEO of WEB18 has now been put in charge of convergence initiatives at NETWORK18. Re-designated as Executive Director, Convergence, NETWORK18, Mantha’s mandate will be to unlock value by leveraging the digital & community building opportunities across the Group’s TV and print brands. Straddling across TV18, IBN18 & INFOMEDIA18 media assets, the role will further focus on new convergence initiatives for the Group.

Commenting on this move, Haresh Chawla, Group CEO Network 18 said “With this re-alignment, Network18 aims to establish independent focus on its fast-expanding web and mobile business and at the same time ensure that all its offline media assets are leveraged digitally. WEB18 is a high-thrust business for the Group and we are delighted that Lakshmi will now drive this business”