Turner Entertainment Network, Asia Pacific, vice president regional advertising and licensing sales, Soumitra Saha, announced the promotion today (15 July).

In his new role, Dhar will assume all-India advertising sales management responsibility for Cartoon Network, Cartoon Network on Zee, CNN as well as Zee Telefilms’ English entertainment & lifestyle channels - Zee MGM, Zee English and Trendz. He will be leading the all-India team from Mumbai, a company release states.

According to Saha: "Sanjay’s extensive experience in the television industry, and excellent track record within the company made him an ideal choice to head the sales team in India."

He played a key role in developing and implementing sales strategies for all Turner channels, and was instrumental in growing HBO’s advertising sales revenues by 20 per cent, says the release.

Dhar joined Turner in 2000 as director - advertising sales, (western India) and was appointed channel manager for HBO in 2002.

Prior to joining Turner, he was with B4U Television Networks where he held the position of vice-president, marketing and sales. During his tenure at B4U, Sanjay was responsible for planning and implementing the entire launch strategy of the two channels (B4U Music & B4U Movies) of the company. He also developed the business plan for an all-India revenue generation from airtime sales for B4U Music, B4U Movies as well as for FTV and MCM, with whom the company had a marketing arrangement. He previously worked with UTV as general manager, acquisition and sales.