DNA's KU Rao moves to Essel Group

In a latest development KU Rao has been assigned  a role in the senior corporate management of the Essel group. Earlier he was CEO of the six-edition print Daily News and Analysis (DNA). It is believed that his latest move was disclosed internally last week.

It is also learnt that Dr Bhaskar Das, who recently joined Zee as Group CEO, will be in charge of the newspaper.  It may be recalled that Dr Bhaskar Das earlier from BCCL was appointed to head  ‘news verticals’ at Zee in October 2012. While Bhaskar Das is responsible for Zee News and its channels officially, it is believed that he has been actively involved in DNA’s operations as well.

Rao was earlier with Shell before joining DNA in October 2006 . He was responsible in ensuring a smooth transition from the paper’s management by Dainik Bhaskar to Zee in 2008. After completing MBA in marketing from the Andhra University in 1982, Rao started his career with Philips India as area manager, sales, consumer electronics division in 1983. In 1989, six years after joining Philips, he shifted to join Onida as head of sales. Later came his stint with Shell International Petroleum in 1994 and he was with them for nearly 12 years .

In view of the fact that Zee will soon be launching an English News Channel they appointed Mr. Das from the Times Of India group to take charge of consolidating its new offerings. Though Zee is known to have pioneered independent news bulletins and maintained a reasonable financial statement the group has not fared too well where ratings is concerned.