Avinash Pandey, former CEO of ABP Network, is set to take over as the Secretary General of the Indian Broadcasting & Digital Foundation (IBDF), according to people familiar with the development. He will be succeeding Siddharth Jain, who has held the position since July 2021.

A seasoned media professional, Pandey has been associated with the Indian broadcasting industry for nearly two decades. He joined the ABP Group in 2005 and rose through the ranks, eventually being elevated as CEO in January 2019. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in strengthening ABP Network’s position in the news broadcasting space.

Apart from his leadership at ABP, Pandey has also served in several key industry roles. He was President of the International Advertising Association (IAA) India Chapter and Vice-President of the News Broadcasters & Digital Association (NBDA). More recently, he joined Laqshya Media Group as Director and also took on responsibilities as Senior Advisor for Media Practices at public policy consultancy Primus Partners.

He continues to remain actively involved in various industry bodies, including FICCI’s Media & Entertainment Committee, ASSOCHAM’s National Council on Entertainment and Media, and advisory committees under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

A postgraduate in Modern Indian History from Delhi University and an alumnus of Harvard Business School, Pandey has been conferred with several recognitions over the years. His awards include the ‘Media Person of the Year’ by IAA India Chapter and multiple ‘CEO of the Year’ honours.

With his new role at IBDF, Pandey is expected to bring his extensive experience and vision to further strengthen the foundation’s role as the apex body representing television broadcasters and digital platforms in India.