Divaakar's impact: Transforming NewsFirst Kannada

Within the dynamic realm of broadcast media, certain individuals stand out, their very presence casting a radiant light on the pursuit of excellence and professionalism. At the helm of NewsFirst Kannada, one such visionary leader stands tall, steering the ship with unwavering dedication, boundless passion, and an unquenchable thirst for excellence. S Divaakar, Business Head, NewsFirst Kannada, is not just a name but an embodiment of professional integrity and brilliance.

With a career spanning three decades, Divaakar has carved an indelible mark for himself as a formidable media executive with a proven track record.

Divaakar's ascent to the position of Business Head at NewsFirst Kannada is a tale of perseverance, hard work, and an understanding of the television media landscape. Under his visionary leadership, NewsFirst has blossomed into a prominent news channel.

In addition to his role as a top media executive, Divaakar also serves as a jury member for Promax Regional, Promax India, and Promax Asia. He is also a jury member for the Indian Radio Forum and holds a position as an executive committee member for the Advertising Club Bangalore.

Here, we delve into the life of Divaakar, through the eyes of his boss, past colleagues, and his wife. Their words paint a vivid picture of a leader who commands respect on account of his exceptional professionalism, inventive thinking, and remarkable problem-solving skills.

Impact on NewsFirst Kannada

Divaakar’s journey, as described by S Ravikumar, MD & CEO of NewsFirst Kannada, began during their TV9 Kannada days in 2006 but truly flourished at NewsFirst. Ravikumar, who has witnessed Divaakar's evolution, acknowledges his tireless dedication as the Business Head in making NewsFirst the preferred channel.

According to Ravikumar, Divaakar has made a lasting impact on NewsFirst Kannada by fostering innovation and creativity. He asserts that as Business Head, Divaakar is working untiringly to make NewsFirst the channel of choice.

"Patience is one quality of Divaakar I admire. Selling isn’t easy. Abundant patience is necessary to excel as a sales Professional. I’ve not seen a more tireless sales and networker than Divaakar," says Ravikumar.

In recounting a remarkable moment that underscores Divaakar's leadership and unwavering commitment, Ravikumar says: "NewsFirst embarked on its journey during the most challenging times one can imagine – the midst of Covid Phase 1. Within just four weeks of launch, we were welcomed without BARC ratings, only to be embraced by Covid Phase 2 shortly after. In the face of these monumental obstacles, any other sales might have considered hanging up their boots in this once-in-many-generations scenario. But not Divaakar. He persevered and performed, defying all odds. NewsFirst's sustenance and success owe much to Divaakar's tireless efforts. To me, this stands out as one of the most memorable and pivotal moments in our journey together."

Srinivas Rao, Chief Investment Officer at Wavemaker, recognises Divaakar's deep understanding of the market, clients, and audiences as instrumental in establishing NewsFirst Kannada as a formidable challenger brand within a short span.

In terms of his impact on the channel, Savitha Divaakar, Divaakar's wife, says: "NewsFirst Kannada is approaching its third-year anniversary, and since day one, he has poured in an extraordinary effort—150 percent dedication—into its growth, handling technicalities and administration while consistently offering valuable ideas."

According to her, his pivotal role within the channel is undeniable, and it's through his unyielding dedication and perseverance that the channel has achieved significant growth. "It is with great satisfaction that I acknowledge his tremendous contributions," she says.

In reflecting on her husband's impressive career, Savitha shares an illuminating perspective, shedding light on the qualities that have distinguished him in his field.

"Divaakar has accumulated nearly three decades of experience in his field, displaying exceptional qualities such as diligence, dedication, and a meticulous approach to both minor and major tasks. His remarkable organisational skills are evident, and he has managed to maintain an impeccable reputation with no hint of negative PR or animosity from others," says Savitha.

She believes that these attributes have undoubtedly set him apart in the industry, allowing him to achieve the success he enjoys today.

Regarding his indomitable spirit, Savitha says that once he sets his mind on a goal, he refuses to give up until it is successfully accomplished. "He maintains an unwavering commitment to his decisions, always weighing the pros and cons meticulously. Whether it pertains to his team or the organisation as a whole, he plans with great care and foresight," she says.

A problem-solver with a positive attitude

Former colleagues attribute Divaakar’s success to his problem-solving prowess along with perseverance and resilience. According to them, he is a proactive individual with an optimistic outlook.

"One of the hallmarks of his success has been his problem-solving abilities which have helped him overcome any challenge that has come his way," says Srinivas Rao.

Rao attributes Divaakar's persuasiveness and never-say-die attitude to his professional success.

Nupur Saxena, Head - Sales for Youth, Music, English, and Kids Entertainment, Viacom18, also says the same thing about Divaakar. According to Saxena, Divaakar is a problem-solver who exhaustively explores solutions until challenges are overcome.

"We worked together at Sahara One (Hindi GEC) as peers/colleagues. Divaakar is a problem-solver; he thinks critically, and like a magician, he'll pull out every possible solution until the problem is resolved," says Nupur Saxena.

Rajesh Vorkady, Co- Founder and CEO, Veeville Consulting, points out that one of Divaakar’s qualities he admires the most is his resilience.

“He’s a very dear friend of mine. Our paths crossed as peers of the same industry over two decades ago and we continue to stay in touch to this day,” says Rajesh Vorkady.

According to him, Divaakar’s ability to stay the course, play for the long haul no matter what, is admirable.

“His steady rise over the years from a frontline sales professional to the influence he wields as a leader is a result of that very resilience,” says Rajesh Vorkady

Rajesh remembers a time when Divaakar was tasked with managing business up north of the country, a region vastly different from the familiar vibe of the south that he was operating for most of his career until then.

“While I knew his ability to take on any challenge was legendary, I was still concerned about how he would manage in the new territory. My doubts were laid to rest very soon and to my joy he not only managed extremely well but also came out on top with beating his business targets and making even more friends for life,” Rajesh adds.

Madhusudan Velagapudi, Chief Multiplier, Media Multiples Marketing Solutions, one of his ex-bosses, feels that the single point which would have helped him the most is definitely his positive attitude.

"He can never be laid-back. Actually, his enthusiasm matches mine, too. Another 15 years down the lane, he will still be like this because that enthusiasm is in his DNA. Even after two decades since we worked together, we are still in touch with each other, and we remember our association. He never intends to run away from any situation," says Madhusudan.

Anecdotal evidence reveals his unwavering dedication not only to his work but also to his family and community, remembers his wife Savitha.

"Despite his busy schedule, he finds moments to contribute to social causes and engage with his community association, serving as a member and director. Whenever time permits, he actively motivates and supports these endeavours," says Savitha.

Professional excellence

Nupur Saxena reminisces one incident which showcased Divaakar's professional excellence.

"When one of the flagship properties of the channel we worked at was being pitched in the market, traction from a few categories was low. Our channel was gaining recognition and competing with industry giants like Zee and Sony. Divaakar, proactively, conducted an in-depth analysis of those categories and their top clients, successfully securing deals with some of them. It was a formidable challenge, but he was deeply committed to making it work," says Saxena.

What sets Divaakar apart from the rest is that he possesses a structured strategist mind, feels media professional and veteran Anubhav Nath. He was an ex-colleague of Divaakar in one of the media organisations.

Anubhav Nath credits Divaakar as the sole driving force behind the establishment and market success of his latest project, "NewsFirst Kannada." Divaakar also effectively explored and capitalized on business and revenue prospects on a national scale for both TV9 and News First Kannada.

In short, Divaakar's journey is a testament to his dedication, problem-solving acumen, and indomitable spirit. He has not only made a significant impact on NewsFirst Kannada but has also left a lasting impact on the broadcast media industry. His commitment to excellence, passion for innovation, and positive attitude set him apart as a true leader and an inspiration to all.