AJAY

THAKUR
Email: journalist.ajay@gmail.com w Mob: +91 9158985124 / + 971 508128214

Editor of the Year Nominee | Broadcaster | Creative Communicator

PROFILE SYNOPSIS

Strategic and proactive decision maker, result-oriented and versatile bimedia journalist offering over 21 years of
commendable experience with in-depth exposure in leading and developing Print as well as Broadcast Media
Brands, leading Multimedia Newsrooms with a 360 degree approach to Conceptualising News agenda across
content, revenue and brand perception domains

An excellent communicator with good problem anticipation and analytical skills; Out of the Box thinker; Idea
Leader; Trainer; Adept in providing leadership & direction in continuously improving performance and developing
strategy, approach, content & structure; capable of resolving multiple & complex issues and motivating staff to
peak performance.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

THE GOAN ON SATURDAY

R

Distinguished efforts in achieving the fastest growth in newspaper industry in the region - a hundred and thirty
percent (130%) increase in circulation within a year.

Successfully accelerated growth in web traffic for any news or non-news website in the region - a three hundred
percent (300%) rise in website traffic in six months.

Played a stellar role in bringing the losses to the newspaperby over sixty seven percent (67%) by streamlining the
editorial and introducing revenue driven, consumer specific newspaper page.

Outstanding contribution in steering growth by redesigning and introducing the most unique of newspaper
websites in the region.

Introduced / Launched the first ever signature pages of its kind in a newspaper in the region

Good News (a page dedicated only to the good work done by governments)

iScool (a newspaper page designed and created by individual schools)

Campus Room (a newspaper page designed and created by individual colleges)

I Am The Goan (a newspaper page where citizens report about local issues directly and officials answer)

Fastest promotion in the regional Newspaper Industry elevated from Editor Investigations to Deputy Editor in
seven months and as Editor in twenty two months from joining The Goan.

NEPAL 1 TV
R

Significant role in reviving Nepal 1, Nepals 3rd Biggest Channel which nearly shut down by negotiating with
striking employees, evolving a consensus based conducive working atmosphere in a civil-war torn country.

Instrumental in the launch of three region specific language programmes aimed at different ethnic groups of
specific parts of Nepal.

Brought the closed channel back into significant television ranking that helped restart revenue generation
processes with multimedia brand building initiatives.

Partnered with Europe, US and Asia foreign television news networks for content sharing and twinning
programmes.

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CAREER CONTOUR

The Goan on Saturday, Goa - India

Editor (May 2012 till Present)

Gomantak Times, Goa -India
Correspondent (April 2011 till April 2012)

Nepal 1 Television, Nepal
Country Head / Executive Producer (Oct 2008 till March 2011)

The Times of India, India
Correspondent (April 2008 till Sept 2008)

STV Goa News, Goa - India

News Editor / Assignment Editor (March 2007 till August 2008)

BBC World Service, India
Output Editor (September 2005 - February 2007 / March 1996 February 2003)

STAR News, Goa - India
Bureau Head Goa (March 2003 till August 2005)

Western India Shipyard Limited - India
Manager Public Relations / Corporate Communications (October 1994 till January 1996)

AREAS OF INTEREST

Urban Planning & Real Estate

Healthcare

Renewable Energy

Hospitality & Leisure

ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS

Master of Arts in Broadcast Journalism - University of Sheffield in 2006

NCTJ Law Examination - National Council of Journalist Training London, United Kingdom in 2006

Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism - Indian Institute of Mass Communication in 1994

Advanced Diploma in Production & Direction for Television - Academy 18 in 1996

Bachelor of Arts, Honours in Economics - Sambalpur University, India in 1992

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Nominated for Editor of the Year Award

IT SKILLS

Proficient in Windows, MS Office, Adobe InDesign, ENPS, Final Cut Pro, Cool Edit Pro, Burli Radioman

PERSONAL DOSSIER

Date of Birth: 5thMarch 1971 | Languages Known: English | Nationality: Indian

REFERENCES

Available on Request

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