Jagadeesh Jayakumar, popularly known as Jaree, has joined Zee Tamil as Associate Director, Ad Sales, bringing more than 20 years of experience across television, print, digital, events and native advertising.

Announcing his new role, Jayakumar said he was delighted to begin a new chapter in his professional journey. He expressed his interest in building strong partnerships, creating impactful advertising opportunities and collaborating with brands and industry colleagues.

He also thanked those who had supported and encouraged him throughout his career and said he looked forward to connecting with media professionals and exploring new opportunities. “Looking forward to an exciting journey ahead with Zee Tamil!” he added.

Jayakumar brings extensive experience in pan-India advertising sales, market development, client management and integrated brand solutions. His professional strengths include revenue growth, strategic brand positioning, go-to-market planning, profitability, team building and digital transformation. His expertise also spans digital revenue strategy, programmatic advertising, performance marketing, influencer marketing, branded content, video advertising and social media campaigns.

Before joining Zee Tamil, Jayakumar worked with the Kalaignar TV network as General Manager, Advertising Sales, from October 2019. Based in Chennai, he handled business development and team management across television, digital, events and native advertising. His responsibilities included developing advertising revenue strategies, expanding business opportunities and working on television and digital products.

He also contributed to the transformation of the network’s digital product to meet current and future business requirements. His work included collaborating with technology partners and vendors to improve the digital platform and exploring partnerships with advertising technology companies to maximise revenue.

Prior to Kalaignar TV, Jayakumar spent more than 10 years at Vikatan, serving as National Sales Head from August 2009 to September 2019. He managed national clients and led teams delivering integrated branding solutions across television, print, digital and events.

His television advertising portfolio included programmes on Sun TV, Gemini TV and Udhaya TV. He handled advertising sales for several popular Vikatan-produced serials and programmes, including ‘Ananda Bhavan’, ‘Pushpanjali’, ‘Sathya’, ‘Kolangal’, ‘Office’, ‘Azagi’, ‘Deivamagal’, ‘Thendral’, ‘Thirumathi Selvam’ and ‘Thangali’ on Udhaya TV, as well as ‘Shravana Subramaniyam’ on Gemini TV.

Events and special projects were another important part of his role at Vikatan. He worked on initiatives such as the Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards, Nanayam Vikatan Business Awards, Nambikkai Virudhugal and Aval Woman’s Achievers Awards. These projects involved integrated media campaigns across print, television, digital and on-ground platforms, helping build brand partnerships and generate advertising revenue.

In print advertising, his portfolio included publications such as ‘Ananda Vikatan’, ‘Aval Vikatan’, ‘Nanayam Vikatan’, ‘Motor Vikatan’, ‘Pasumai Vikatan’, ‘Sakthi Vikatan’, ‘Chutti Vikatan’ and ‘Doctor Vikatan’.

With experience spanning traditional media, digital platforms and integrated advertising solutions, Jayakumar’s appointment brings an established media sales professional to Zee Tamil. His new role will focus on building brand partnerships and identifying advertising opportunities across the channel’s commercial ecosystem.