MUMBAI: Raj TV has undertaken major restructuring for its top mangement. The first step is the re-appointment of B Shankar, who joins as vice president sales and marketing from Turner International India where he was director sales western India.

Shankar joined Turner in January last year, prior to which he was with Raj TV in the capacity of national sales head - Mumbai. Shankar's last day at Turner was 10 January and he will be taking on his new responsibility at Raj TV from 24 January.

Apart from this, Vissa TV head R Radhakrishnan has been made Raj TV vice president brand development and research. Radhakrishnan will also be taking on his new responsibility from 24 January.

Speaking to Indiantelevision.com Raj TV CEO Rajiv Nambiar says, "We are in the process of restructuring our organisation and were looking for an all India sales head. Since we had an old relationship with Shankar, we roped him in."

Nambiar informs that they will also be making more appointments in the programming, production, management and value added services' areas. Citing the reason for this, he says, "The year 2004 saw competition hotting up in the South and hence for obvious reason we decided to take this move. We will be converging our team between 24 - 30 January and will be chalking out our growth strategy."

Both Shankar and Radhakrishnan will be reporting to Nambiar.

Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, Shankar says, "I always wanted to be in the all India broadcast league and that was the reason why I put in my papers at Turner International, where I was only handling western India. With my new responsibility at Raj TV, apart from handling the all India sales and marketing for the channel, I will also be closely involved with new programming initiatives and creative execution. Hence, I will be playing a larger role."

Shankar will also be involved in building the channel's international business and will be handling the Sri Lanka market. Speaking on his association with Turner, he says, "It has been a great experience to work with Turner's team and I have thoroughly enjoyed my stay there."

Turner International India vice president all India advertising sales Monica Tata, on the other hand says, "Shankar worked closely with our team at Turner and we wish him the best of luck for the future. The details of his replacement are still under process and hence cannot be shared at the moment."