MUMBAI: MTV Networks India director communications Hemant Kenkre has been promoted as senior director communications for MTV Networks, Asia and would now be based in Singapore. He will be reporting to MTV Networks Asia Pacific president Frank Brown.

When contacted by Indiantelevision.com, Kenkre confirmed the
development, but declined to provide additional details about his new job responsibilities.

However, company sources indicated that Kenkre, who would be moving to Singapore by the end of February, might look after the south-east and north-east Asia markets in his new role.

Says MTV India MD Alex Kuruvilla, "The move is self-explanatory. He brings to his new position years of rich experience in communications. He is widely respected and loved by the professionals of the industry and I am pleased that he will be part of MTV Networks' communications efforts."

Kuruvilla added: "We take great pride in the fact that some of the top broadcast professionals in MTV's Asian operations are from India. For example, senior vice-president programming and TRA Asia Mishal Verma and Natasha Malhotra."

According to Kuruvilla, Kenkre formed a key part of the MTV and Nick success stories.

Kenkre has been director of communications for public affairs since 1999 in MTV India. Kenkre left MTV for a brief period in between to pursue his cricketing passion and had joined cricket portal www.cricketnext.com as CEO. He returned to MTV after eight months.