MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide has appointed Rohit Gopakumar as VP, South Asia for BBC Advertising.

Based in Mumbai, Gopakumar will be responsible for generating local and International sales revenues for BBC’s TV and online products including BBC World News, BBC.com, mobile, LonelyPlanet.com, Worldwide Channels and Global Brands.

While primarily responsible for India, his geographic responsibility also includes Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

BBC Worldwide regional director ad sales, South Asia Seema Mohapatra had left the organisation in mid-December, after spending 12 and a half years in the organisation. She was handling ad sales for BBC World News, BBC Entertainment and bbc.com.

As the business head for all advertising revenue in South Asia, Gopakumar will lead a team of 25 news and entertainment sales staff in three offices across India, and manage the existing portfolio of products as well as advice on strategic new business opportunities in the news and entertainment category in the region.

Additionally, he will develop strategic alliances with clients, agencies and partners to grow revenues and establish BBC World News and BBC.com as a preferred media partner for Indian corporations and government agencies targeting global audiences in key International markets.

BBC Advertising, Asia senior VP Sunita Rajan said: “We are very excited to have Rohit join BBC Advertising in India. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will enable us to shift into the next stage of growth for BBC Worldwide’s businesses in South Asia.”

Gopakumar has over 17 years in the media industry including at Times of India, Star TV, NDTV Media and most recently Aidem Ventures, an independent media sales aggregation company.