MUMBAI: WorldSpace India Private Ltd., the company that is running WorldSpace satellite radio in India, has appointed former IndusInd Media & Communications head Deepak Varma as its new managing director.

Varma takes on responsibility at WorldSpace India from KR Harish, who will continue with the organization, now assuming broader corporate financial responsibilities as the CFO of WorldSpace's Asia operations.

Varma will head the Indian operations of WorldSpace and lead the company through its planned multi-market rollout mapped for year 2005. He will be based out of Bangalore.

In his new role as CFO of Asian operations, Harish will drive the financial processes, internal control implementations related to US Sarbanes-Oxley requirements as well as financial planning for India and the additional markets in Asia where WorldSpace will offer its services.

"Taking over responsibility from KR Harish, I look forward to take WorldSpace to the next level in its growth plans in the coming years. I have only one goal at WorldSpace - to deliver the best of satellite radio to the largest number of satisfied subscribers", says Varma as he embarks on his new assignment.

This announcement comes as WorldSpace is pursuing a multi-metro launch of its Indian service. As already reported by indiantelevision.com, WorldSpace Radio is ramping up its operations with the launch of two more stations. Simultaneously, a new marketing and advertising campaign also will hit the market.

As part of its expansion plans, the company is getting into new markets this year apart from strengthening sales, distribution and customer support network in the existing centres. WorldSpace kicked off its operations in Hyderabad in the first week of April and the next phases will cover Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh and Kolkata.