eNews
Durga Raghunath takes charge as CEO, Network18 Digital
MUMBAI: Network18 Digital, the digital content arm of Network18, has strengthened its leadership structure by elevating Durga Raghunath to CEO.
She was earlier the CEO of Firstpost.com, the news and opinion portal from the group. Lakshmi Narasimhan, the previous CEO for the group’s digital content business, is now moving onto a corporate role.
Network18 COO Ajay Chacko said “At Network18 Digital, we are proud to have built cult digital content brands which have had a defining influence on the space. As consumer internet in India undergoes a paradigm shift, we continue to be focused on leading this change from the front. Durga is well-equipped to lead this effort for us due to her strong understanding of the digital user, products and the opportunity.”
Narasimhan added “Durga has played a stellar role in transforming Firstpost from an innovative idea into a leader brand today. We are confident that in this expanded mandate, she will take Network18 Digital to newer heights”
Speaking on her elevation, Raghunath said “The Network18 Digital portfolio would make anyone proud. As digital usage and spends spiral up in India, it is exciting to have the opportunity to do more with our existing products as well as build new ones”
Raghunath has over ten years experience in publishing – both books and digital. She previously worked with the Wall Street Journal, Mint and HarperCollins in New York. She has an MBA from ISB and studied publishing at Columbia University. Durga joined Network18 in 2011 and conceptualized and launched firstpost.com.
Network18 Digital, earlier referred to as Web18, comprises a bouquet of digital content brands and services. This includes Moneycontrol.com, Ibnlive.com, Firstpost.com and Burrp.com. Cumulatively, Network18 Digital reaches over 25 million unique visitors on an average every month, according to comScore.
eNews
Rapido launches zero-commission food delivery app Ownly in Bengaluru
New platform promises transparent pricing with no restaurant commissions.
MUMBAI: Rapido just served up a fresh order because when the food delivery menu gets too pricey, someone’s got to deliver honesty on a plate. Rapido has rolled out Ownly, its standalone zero-commission food delivery app, across Bengaluru, stepping into India’s fiercely competitive online food delivery space with a model built on price transparency and fairness.
Unlike conventional platforms that charge restaurants commissions and often lead to inflated menu prices or hidden mark-ups, Ownly levies only a straightforward delivery fee on consumers based on actual logistics costs. Restaurants can list everyday low prices without relying on deep discounts, giving them breathing room while keeping bills honest for users.
The launch is backed by a satirical courtroom-themed digital video commercial that takes aim at industry pain points hidden fees, misleading discounts and price manipulation before positioning Ownly as the transparent alternative. The film is live on Ownly’s Youtube channel.
Rapido and Ownly, founder Aravind Sanka said, “Food ordering has become an integral part of everyday life across India, not just in metros but in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities as well. At Ownly, we see a strong opportunity to build a restaurant-first model that supports partners and caters to the evolving needs of customers. Transparency, honesty and fairness are key drivers of long-term growth for the sector.”
The Bengaluru rollout follows a pilot in Koramangala, HSR Layout and BTM Layout, where the team conducted consumer research and collaborated closely with restaurant partners to fine-tune the offering.
Ownly leverages Rapido’s existing hyperlocal logistics network to scale operations efficiently. By eliminating commissions and focusing on real-cost delivery fees, the platform aims to foster fairer economics for restaurants and more predictable pricing for consumers.
In a market where every rupee on the bill feels like a negotiation, Ownly isn’t just delivering food,it’s delivering a promise: no sneaky surcharges, no inflated prices, just straightforward bites at honest rates.
