Anubhav Sharma quits ibibo; heads to ESPNStar

Anubhav Sharma ' account director at ibibo Group ' has decided to call it a day at his current workplace. Following this , he joins ESPNStar as Business Manager ' New Media & Web Strategies. Sharma started his career with JobsAhead.com back in 2002 as a relationship manager and went on to work with Mediaturf Worldwide and Interactive Avenues before joining AOL India in 2007 and then being a part of ibibo Group in 2008.

With eight years of experience that Sharma brings with him to ESPNStar, he will be responsible for the complete digital solution that will not only span sales but will also bend heavily towards conceptualization of products/ad-ons and offer innovative advertising solutions.

Speaking exclusively to Adgully, Sharma said about his move from ibibo to ESPNStar, "ESPNStar is at a very exciting stage of evolving the overall sports category on the internet which currently in India is dominated by weaker offerings essentially consisting of Scorecards and some coverage of Live Matches mainly Cricket. My role here involves along with web the mobile and broadband (content) offerings, the complete digital solution which is clear enhancement and huge opportunity to work upon. In terms of responsibilities it's not pure sales but to conceptualize the product/add-ons, solutions to enhance the website stickiness, grow traffic and give innovative advertising solutions."

Sharma added that he had an exciting time at ibibo and enjoyed the learning he gained while working with and offer innovative solutions to brands like Sony Ericsson, Hero Honda, Nokia, Samsung, Virgin Mobile, HCL, John Players, Yahoo! etc.

Reacting to a question, Sharma said, "I have always offered these brands unique & innovative solutions to deliver engagements and establish core brand attributes with ibibo's audience that goes much beyond the click on banner metrics.

It was important to keep in mind the User's demographics, mind set & ease to participate while conceptualizing such solutions enabling active participation and then mapping it carefully to advertiser's need. The problem only starts when conceptualization stops and you start copying the same idea for multiple brands within the same eco-system which then start to offer fatigue and reduced response.

I am happy about the repeat business I got for all the brands serviced by me."

At ESPNStar, Sharma will initially focus upon enhancing the site and is looking at adding social plugs to allow for a better overall experience and make it more sticky and viral in nature. He carries a strategic role that will see him rope relevant brands to offer complete solutions and allow them to engage with the audience of the site. Since New Media is the spotlight medium in today's world, ESPN is focussing hard on evolving in this space and will deploy all required resources for the same.

As Anubhav Sharma quits, Samvrit Bhattacharya comes in place from Star TV and will be responsible for brand solutions at ibibo and will report to Rahul Sharma ' Head, Sales.

A Cricket buff and an avid reader, Sharma is kicked about his new role at ESPNStar.