Network18 Digital names Durga Raghunath as CEO

Network18 Digital, the digital content arm of Network18 and one of India’s largest digital publishers, has strengthened its leadership structure by elevating Durga Raghunath to CEO. She was earlier the CEO of Firstpost.com, the leading news and opinion portal from the group. Lakshmi Narasimhan, the previous CEO for the group’s digital content business, is now moving onto a corporate role.

Network18 Digital, earlier referred to as Web18, comprises a bouquet of the country’s leading digital content brands and services. This includes Moneycontrol.com - India’s No.1 digital destination for financial news and information, Ibnlive.com - One of the country’s most awarded general news and current affairs brands, Firstpost.com - India’s first exclusively digital newsroom, Burrp.com - Leading digital destination for lifestyle listings, reviews and recommendations. Network18 Digital has also recently launched Firstbiz.com - A stand-alone business news and views website from Firstpost and News18.com - a pioneering state and local news portal. Cumulatively, Network18 Digital reaches over 25 million unique visitors on an average every month, according to comScore.

Commenting on this development, Ajay Chacko, COO, Network18 said “At Network18 Digital, we are proud to have built cult digital content brands which have had a defining influence on the space. As consumer internet in India undergoes a paradigm shift, we continue to be focused on leading this change from the front. Durga is well-equipped to lead this effort for us due to her strong understanding of the digital user, products and the opportunity.”

Lakshmi Narasimhan added “Durga has played a stellar role in transforming Firstpost from an innovative idea into a leader brand today. We are confident that in this expanded mandate, she will take Network18 Digital to newer heights”

Speaking on her elevation, Durga Raghunath said “The Network18 Digital portfolio would make anyone proud. As digital usage and spends spiral up in India, it is exciting to have the opportunity to do more with our existing products as well as build new ones”

Raghunath has over ten years experience in publishing - both books and digital. She previously worked with the Wall Street Journal, Mint and HarperCollins in New York. She has an MBA from ISB and studied publishing at Columbia University. Durga joined Network18 in 2011 and conceptualized and launched firstpost.com.