The council also announced that Shashidhar Sinha will take over as the new Chairman of the IRS Technical Committee
Vikram Sakhuja, Partner and Director at Madison World. Pic/Linkedin
The Media Research Users Council India (MRUCI) has elected Vikram Sakhuja, Partner and Director at Madison World, as its new chairman, and Dhruba Mukherjee, CEO of ABP Pvt. Ltd., as vice-chairman.
Founded in 1994, MRUCI is dedicated to delivering accurate, timely, and relevant media research across platforms. It is best known for managing the Indian Readership Survey (IRS).
The announcements were made during MRUCI’s 31st Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Monday, followed by a board meeting.
The council also announced that Shashidhar Sinha will take over as the new chairman of the IRS Technical Committee.
Vikram Sakhuja succeeds Shailesh Gupta, Wholetime Director of Jagran Prakashan Ltd., who served as Chairman for two consecutive terms from 2023 to 2025.
While handing over the mantle, Shailesh Gupta said, “The Board’s approval of the pilot marks a significant milestone for the Indian Readership Survey. By beginning with a metro and two states, we are ensuring financial prudence while building operational confidence. The learning from this phase will guide the nationwide rollout, delivering a robust and credible readership measurement system that the print industry deserves. I sincerely thank our Board Members and stakeholders for their support and extend my best wishes to Mr. Vikram Sakhuja and the new Board.”
Vikram Sakhuja in his vote of thanks stated, ”I thank Mr. Shailesh Gupta for his leadership and guidance. I am deeply honoured to take on the role of Chairman at MRUCI and thank the Board for placing their confidence in me. Our endeavour is to restore IRS as the gold standard in readership research and the most credible survey in the country.”
Vikram Sakhuja, Partner and Director, Madison World is a respected member of India’s marketing and media fraternity. Across his 38 year career, he has been the Global CEO of Maxus WW, a GroupM company; the CEO of GroupM South Asia and CEO of Mindshare South Asia. He has also held senior marketing, media and market research positions in P&G, Coca-Cola and Star TV.
Vikram has served on several industry body boards/committees including ASCI, ABC, RSCI, BARC, FICCI, ASSOCHAM, AAAI committees with ISA, INS and IBDF. He is the current Chairman of the Technical Committee for BARC, Board member of ABC, Co-chair of IBDF-AAAI subcommittee on payments and Ad Club past President. He has consistently been voted one of the most influential persons in Indian Media by the Economic Times.
Dhruba Mukherjee, CEO, ABP Pvt. Ltd. Pic/Linkedin
Whereas the new vice Chairman Dhruba Mukherjee, CEO, ABP Pvt. Ltd. had joined the organisation in 1997 and rose through the ranks from management trainee to CEO during his career in ABP, spanning over two decades. He has handled responsibilities in brand management, audience development, advertisement sales and production functions before taking over as the CEO.
Born and brought up in Kolkata, he is a B.Com (Hons) from St. Xavier’s College, Calcutta; MBA from IISW&BM under Calcutta University and an alumnus of London School of Economics & Political Science. He has also graduated from the Senior Executive Leadership Program of the Harvard Business School. Travel, food and sports are some of the things that excites him beyond his interest areas in work.
Three new members have also joined MRUCI’s Board of Governors-
Navaneeth LV, CEO, THG Publishing Pvt. Ltd.
Surinder Chawla, President, Response, Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd.
Upali Nag, President Strategy - South Asia, WPP Media
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