BARC appoints its first CEO

Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC), the joint industry body of of broadcasters, advertising agencies and advertisers, today appointed Partho Dasgupta as its first CEO.

Set up in 2012, BARC is in process of creating an alternate TV ratings systems.

Commenting on the development, Punit Goenka, MD & CEO of ZEE and Chairman of BARC, said “We are delighted to have Partho on board. BARC is moving ahead aggressively with its plans. Partho has an excellent background in leadership, in successful startups, in broadcast, in research, in consumer products and in other industries. He will help us put the organisation in place and roll out BARC’s services in a tight time frame.”

Manjit Singh, president of Indian Broadcasting Foundation and CEO of Multi Screen Media had told Business Standard earlier that BARC has committed to launch the alternate viewership measurement system by the first quarter of next year.

Dasgupta has a strong background in media startups. He has worked with Times Now, Future Media, and The Economic Times during its growth years. He was with Educomp, running their Preschool business and k12 new school initiatives.

On his appointment Dasgupta said, “The foot is on the pedal – we have to just start accelerating. On a serious note, I am happy to do another startup in broadcast and media. The Board is full of friends from the industry and I am looking forward to working with them and make BARC happen.”

The Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF), holds 60% stake in BARC while remaining 40% is equally hel by the Indian Society of Advertisers (ISA) and the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI).