Girija Sankara Rao Polani
Chennai
Summary
With over 30 years of strategic leadership, I've consistently driven revenue growth and optimized sales operations. My expertise lies in: Sales and Business Development: Spearheading innovative sales initiatives, resulting in quantifiable achievement increase in revenue. Market Strategy and Analysis: Leveraging deep market insights to identify high-potential opportunities and develop winning strategies. Client Relationship Management: Building and nurturing long-lasting relationships with key clients, ensuring customer satisfaction and loyalty. Team Leadership: Empowering and motivating high-performing teams to exceed targets and achieve organizational goals. Proven track record in: Communication: Effectively communicating with diverse stakeholders at all levels. Negotiation: Successfully closing complex deals and maximizing profitability. Problem-Solving: Identifying and resolving challenges to ensure operational efficiency.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Business Head / National Sales Head / Sr. General Manager
Network18 Media & Investments Ltd.
11.2018 - 11.2024
- Company Overview: Network18 is a major player in Indian media, spanning news, entertainment, digital, print, and other segments
- It offers a wide range of platforms for news consumption, entertainment, and information gathering
- The company is involved in various digital ventures, showcasing its adaptability to the evolving media landscape
- Revenue Leadership: Strategically oversaw and drove revenue growth for a diverse portfolio of 15+ channels, including News18 Tamil Nadu, Kannada, Keralam, Odia, Bangla, Assamese, Lokmat, Gujarati, News18 India, and regional channels across key Indian states
- Team Management: Led and mentored high-performing teams of 35+ members, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence
- Digital Transformation: Successfully navigated the digital transformation of the business, expanding revenue streams across multiple platforms
- Strategic Partnerships: Cultivated strong relationships with key clients and partners, securing high-value deals
- Business Development: Actively pursued new business opportunities to expand the customer base and increase market share
- Performance Management: Monitored and analyzed key performance indicators to ensure the achievement of business objectives
- Network18 is a major player in Indian media, spanning news, entertainment, digital, print, and other segments
- It offers a wide range of platforms for news consumption, entertainment, and information gathering
- The company is involved in various digital ventures, showcasing its adaptability to the evolving media landscape
Vice President Sales (National Head Sales – Zee Tamil)
Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd.
08.2014 - 10.2018
- Company Overview: Zee Entertainment Enterprises, the largest media house reaching 1.3 billion people daily across 173 countries and 19 languages, offers diverse advertising solutions across various genres and platforms
- Led national sales efforts, directing a sales team across India to secure advertising placements with leading corporate and retail advertisers, delivering exceptional revenue growth of 74% in fiscal year 2016-17 and 56% in fiscal year 2017-18
- Mentored and developed a high-performing sales team, including Regional Heads, Group Heads, and Executives, in effective airtime sales strategies, reporting directly to the Cluster Head
- Consistently exceeded annual revenue targets by strategically leveraging existing client relationships and penetrating new markets
- I developed high-impact sales packages for key properties, such as events, awards functions, and blockbuster movies, maximizing revenue through strategic sponsorships and integrations
- Managed channel inventory by strategically regulating Free Commercial Time (FCT) for corporate advertisers
- I created monthly and yearly Cost Per Rating Point (CPRP) grids based on BARC ratings for key clients, particularly in the FMCG sector, and designed customized sales packages tailored to the specific needs of retail advertisers
- Zee Entertainment Enterprises, the largest media house reaching 1.3 billion people daily across 173 countries and 19 languages, offers diverse advertising solutions across various genres and platforms
Executive Vice President – Sales & Marketing
Polimer Media Pvt Ltd.
03.2014 - 07.2014
- Company Overview: Polimer Media Pvt Ltd., founded by Mr
- P.V
- Kalyana Sundaram, operates eight cable TV channels across Tamil Nadu including Polimer TV
- As one of the largest MSOs in the region, the company reaches millions of viewers and aim to be a leading Tamil General Entertainment Channel (GEC)
- Spearheaded sales efforts for the Polimer Group's channels across India, developing and implementing advertising and time-selling strategies targeting major corporate clients, retail businesses, and advertising agencies
- Directed and mentored the sales team to identify and penetrate new markets while cultivating existing client relationships, driving revenue growth to exceed individual and team targets
- Polimer Media Pvt Ltd., founded by Mr
- P.V
- Kalyana Sundaram, operates eight cable TV channels across Tamil Nadu including Polimer TV
- As one of the largest MSOs in the region, the company reaches millions of viewers and aim to be a leading Tamil General Entertainment Channel (GEC)
Asst. Vice President – Sales / Manager – Sales
STAR India
08.2004 - 03.2014
- Company Overview: STAR pioneered satellite television in the Asian region and played a crucial role in the explosive growth of the media industry
- Star Vijay Television, Asianet is a leading Tamil & Malayalam regional broadcaster under the STAR umbrella
- Progressed from Manager – Sales to Assistant Vice President – Sales during tenure, managing sales for Star Vijay TV, Star Vijay International, and Asianet network channels
- Directed advertisement and time-selling initiatives, collaborating with leading corporate, retail clients, and advertising agencies
- Led and guided the sales team to identify and penetrate new markets while maintaining strong relationships with existing clients
- Focused on revenue maximization and target achievement at both individual and team levels
- STAR pioneered satellite television in the Asian region and played a crucial role in the explosive growth of the media industry
- Star Vijay Television, Asianet is a leading Tamil & Malayalam regional broadcaster under the STAR umbrella
- Consistently exceeded annual sales targets while maintaining high profit margins, earning a special retention incentive for top-performing team members
- Awarded the prestigious 'STAR OF THE STAR' accolade in 2009 for outstanding performance, accompanied by an exclusive incentive trip to Johannesburg, South Africa, to attend IPL Season 2
Business Manager
Dainik Bhaskar Group
Mumbai
12.2003 - 07.2004
- Spearheaded the successful launch of Divya Bhaskar, a new Gujarati daily, across key cities in Gujarat (Mumbai, Pune, Aurangabad)
- Reported to the General Manager, focusing on business generation, key account management, and achieving sales targets
- Marketed advertisement space to corporate clients and advertising agencies, building and maintaining a strong client base
- Led business development initiatives, including client servicing, special promotions, and team supervision
- Monitored the competitive landscape and prepared compelling business proposals for clients
- Implemented innovative CRM strategies to enhance client retention and satisfaction
- Coordinated with internal teams and external agencies for smooth campaign execution
- Ensured regulatory compliance by working closely with government bodies (e.g., DIPR)
- Achieved sales targets for two consecutive bimonthly cycles, earning cash awards for outstanding performance
- Consistently exceeded sales targets and deadlines, earning recognition and awards for exceptional contributions
Assistant Manager
Ananda Bazaar Patrika Group
04.1998 - 08.2000
- Company Overview: West Bengal’s leading publishing house, home to flagship brands such as Ananda Bazaar Patrika (Bengali daily), The Telegraph (English daily), and Business World (leading business weekly)
- Strategically managed and enhanced revenue from existing corporate accounts through effective account management practices
- Identified and developed new business opportunities while maintaining exceptional service levels for existing corporate clients
- West Bengal’s leading publishing house, home to flagship brands such as Ananda Bazaar Patrika (Bengali daily), The Telegraph (English daily), and Business World (leading business weekly)
- Successfully completed Executive Development Programs and Personality Development Programs sponsored by the company and conducted by NIS Sparta
Senior Advertisement Executive
Chitralekha Group
03.1996 - 03.1998
- Company Overview: Pioneering publishers of weekly general interest and film magazines such as JEE Gujarati, JEE Marathi, JEE Hindi, and g English
- Innovators in outdoor media with 'SKYLINERS' using cutting-edge digital vinyl printing technology
- Successfully marketed and sold advertising space across flagship publications, including JEE Gujarati, JEE Marathi, and g English
- Managed marketing operations for SKYLINERS, a cutting-edge outdoor media division utilizing digital vinyl printing technology
- Developed and executed effective product promotion strategies to drive brand awareness and sales
- Presented compelling pitches to potential clients, highlighting the benefits of advertising with the company
- Pioneering publishers of weekly general interest and film magazines such as JEE Gujarati, JEE Marathi, JEE Hindi, and g English
- Innovators in outdoor media with 'SKYLINERS' using cutting-edge digital vinyl printing technology
- Consistently exceeded annual sales targets for the SKYLINERS division
- Played a crucial role in securing a major order from an Automobile MNC, contributing to the successful launch of their product
Platoon Commander (Sub-Inspector Of Police)
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)
10.1993 - 01.1996
- Company Overview: Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs
- Directed, coordinated, and supervised platoon activities in diverse operational settings, including maintaining law and order and convoy protection
- Ensured the safe movement of troops, equipment, and supplies in high-risk environments
- Uphold high standards of discipline and operational efficiency within the platoon, fostering a culture of readiness and professionalism
- Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs
Education
PGDBA - Marketing
Loyola Institute of Business Administration
05-2000
M.A. - History
Pachaiyappa’s College,
University Of Madras09-1995
B.A. - History
R.K.M. Vivekananda College,
University Of Madras04-1992
Skills
- Sales Leadership
- Branch Management
- Client Servicing & CRM
- Coordination & Liaison
- Business Development
- Media Sales & Promotion
- Leadership & Coordination
- Training & Development
- International business
Languages
- Telugu (Mother Tongue)
- Tamil
- Hindi
- English
Personal Information
- Number of Children: 2
- Date of Birth: 06/13/71
- Marital Status: Married
Timeline
Business Head / National Sales Head / Sr. General Manager
Network18 Media & Investments Ltd.
11.2018 - 11.2024
Vice President Sales (National Head Sales – Zee Tamil)
Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd.
08.2014 - 10.2018
Executive Vice President – Sales & Marketing
Polimer Media Pvt Ltd.
03.2014 - 07.2014
Asst. Vice President – Sales / Manager – Sales
STAR India
08.2004 - 03.2014
Business Manager
Dainik Bhaskar Group
12.2003 - 07.2004
Assistant Manager
Ananda Bazaar Patrika Group
04.1998 - 08.2000
Senior Advertisement Executive
Chitralekha Group
03.1996 - 03.1998
Platoon Commander (Sub-Inspector Of Police)
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)
10.1993 - 01.1996
PGDBA - Marketing
Loyola Institute of Business Administration
M.A. - History
Pachaiyappa’s College,
B.A. - History
R.K.M. Vivekananda College,
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