STAR's Yash Khanna calls it a day

Yashpal Khanna, executive vice president, STAR India , has put in his papers after a 17 year tenure at the company.

Confirming the development, Khanna told Campaign India , “I have enjoyed my stint at STAR. I have met and worked with some extraordinary professionals and, hopefully, have contributed to the growth of the company that I joined in 1992. I am leaving because I felt it was time to explore some of my dreams. I am now turning entrepreneur, leveraging my experiences of my 35 year career and the relationships that I have built and nurtured over the years.”

However, Khanna would not confirm what he was starting except to state that “the new venture would be in the media and communications space."

Khanna  joined STAR when it was run by the original owner, Richard Li of Hutchison Whampoa. He started his STAR stint under Siddharth Ray, as virtually a one-man ad sales team.

Khanna was a critical member of Peter Mukerjea’s core team after Mukerjea joined STAR India, overseeing the advertising sales function. Khanna moved from his ad sales role to look after marketing, business development, client relations and corporate communications functions.

While a number of those who formed part of Mukerjea’s core team joined INX Media on Mukerjea’s exit, Khanna opted to stay at STAR India.

Campaign India will keep tabs on Khanna’s new foray, as will a large number of professionals in media and advertising.