MUMBAI: It's action time at the Rajat Sharma promoted India TV once again. Universal McCann Integrated Communications president Chintamani Rao is set to join the TV company as chief executive officer (CEO).

Confirming the development to Indiantelevision.com, Sharma says Rao is expected to join the company early next month.
When quizzed on the need of CEO after a completion of one year, he added, "As we have grown and have been expanding, on this road of growth we will be facing many more challenges. India TV indeed would need an experienced and rich hand to advance the further growth of the channel."

According to him, "Chintamani Rao is the best professional amongst the many we were in search of. Secondly, he has been in the media for many decades and he comprehends both the facets of media business."

In the same vein, Rao, who had a great time in the advertising arena, is looking forward in the news space, which is full of action.

He continues, "I have handled every facet of the advertising business in the last 30 odd years. In this very road, I see no new mountains to climb, at least none that beckon me. Television is full of action, and the news space is growing rapidly. I look forward to a great deal to learn and do there."

Rao who has been associated with McCann, was responsible for all the non-advertising businesses of the group including Result McCann (direct marketing and event management). Rao in his 31 years of advertising career has also been associated with other brand names such as O&M and Lintas.

Sharma had launched his news and current affairs channel, India TV last year, which officially kicked off on 15 August. As the channel has completed a year in the news segment, the company is now spreading its wings in the regional space. It is also slated to launch a Gujarati news channel, which is targeting a December launch.