The malaise of executive departures, which has hit other broadcasters such as Sony Entertainment, and Zee TV, seems to have made it to Star India?s doors too. Executive vice-president Arun Mohan, who had been in charge of the network?s distribution in India for eight-odd years, has put in his papers.

Star, it appeared had been immune to any management shake up, courtesy the successful run it had been having as the numero uno channel. But the market is abuzz with several rumours relating to Mohan?s departure. Among them: personal reasons and poor performance, and some other unprintable allegations.

Industry sources however deny that poor performance is a charge that can stick as Mohan had apparently been close to achieving the targets he had set.

Star India senior management, which is on a long leave till past New Year, was not available for comment.

The news that Mohan has put in his papers comes at a critical time. Star is currently in the process of putting in place its hiked subscription package for cable operators effectively without a distribution head. According to industry sources, Akhtar Javed, who heads the distribution team in the north, is holding the baton for the present.

Zenith Media has been adjudged the ?Media Agency of The Year 2001? in Asia Pacific by Media Magazine.

A slew of key accounts in one of the most demanding years, Zenith won the honour for the second time in four years, beating key competitors like The Media Edge, MindShare, OMD and Universal McCann, according to a company release. "Zenith put on nearly 17 per cent in new business?and invested in consumer insights such as its study of China?s rural children and working towards single source data for the mainland?s TV markets. On top of this it continues to invest in talent and creativity across its regional network?Zenith owes its winning streak to the talent and tools it has at its disposal. Ultimately, agencies are about people and Zenith has recruited, retained and even rehired key talent to spearhead growth," the award citation reads.

In the last year, Zenith Media won a number of key accounts, including the prestigious Procter & Gamble buying account in China and planning accounts in IndoChina and Singapore. Other accounts won in China were Sony, Danone, Amway, 999, Huiren Pharmaceuticals and the drinks brand Robust. In Japan, Zenith Media won the AXA Direct and Renault accounts. Some other major wins for Zenith Media in the region have been Timberland, Puma and 3Com.

In the past quarter in India, Zenith Media has picked up LML Ltd., P A Time Industries (Maxima Quartz) and Ozone Ayurvedic Limited in Delhi. In Kolkatta, Zenith Media has gained Jindal Industries and Shalimar Paints. The Mumbai branch has won International Coffee as well as planning for Tata AIG.

In Asia, Zenith Media is in the top 3 in 8 out of the 10 countries that it operates in, and in India, Zenith Media handles more than Rs 30 billion worth of media buys.