MUMBAI: MTV India took its time at finding a replacement but finally the anouncement has been made.

Amit Jain, vice-president, regional operations Coke India is joining MTV India as managing director and executive vice-president MTV Networks Asia, directly filling the vacancy left after Alex Kuruvilla's sudden departure at the end of June.

Jain joins the company on 1 January 2006 and will be responsible for leading the business and creative development across all the MTV brands in India, while seeking out new opportunities to grow the business in the region.

All division heads in MTV India and general Managers of Nick and Vh1 will report to Amit Jain.

"India is a strategic priority for MTVN and we are excited to have Amit, with his tremendous track record in a highly competitive youth market, to take our business to the next level," says MTVN International president Bill Roedy.

"India's vibrant, diverse cultures provide the perfect complement to the MTVN brands, which celebrate and reflect local creativity, while also providing the best in international content, " adds Roedy.

Commenting on his appointment, Jain said, "I'm incredibly excited to be a part of the talented MTV Networks team in India. With three strong brands - MTV, Nick and Vh1 - MTV Networks India is uniquely placed in the television entertainment domain and I look forward to the excitement of driving these brands further on their growth curves."

Jain will report directly to the MTV Networks Asia Pacific president Frank Brown, whose tenure ends on 10 December. The announcement regarding Brown's replacement is also pending.