Karunesh Bajaj, Executive Vice President - Marketing & Exports at ITC Limited, is likely to become the Chairman of the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) for 2025-26, highly placed sources told e4m.
As per the tradition, Bajaj is expected to succeed current Chairman Riyad Mathew, Chief Associate Editor and Director of the Malayala Manorama Group, on September 2, following confirmation at the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM).
When asked about the development, Riyad Mathew said, "This is a yearly cycle. Every year, a new chair and vice chair are elected for ABC".
Mohit Jain, Chief Operating Officer and Board Member, Bennett, Coleman and Co. Ltd (Times of India Group) is likely to be Vice Chairman. He will replace Bajaj, who currently holds the position.
Bajaj is a seasoned business leader with over two decades of industry experience, bringing a rare blend of marketing insight and business acumen to the role.
Jain, who has been associated with the Times of India Group for more than two decades, previously worked with GSK Consumer Healthcare and Huhtamaki. Over the years, he has earned a reputation for his strategic acumen and deep understanding of the media business.
The Bureau issues ABC certificates every six months to member publishers whose circulation data complies with its rules and regulations. The body also sets standardized audit procedures for publishers to calculate their qualifying circulation copies.
According to its website, ABC's membership today includes 562 dailies, 107 weeklies and 50 magazines plus 125 Advertising Agencies, 45 Advertisers & 22 news agencies and associations connected with print media and advertising.
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