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Dr, Umar Saif, a former adviser to Chief Minister Punjab and Chairman Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB), has joined Jang Media Group as their Chief Digital Officer.
Jang Media Group, which comprises of Jang Daily Newspaper and Geo group of television, is one of the largest media organizations in Pakistan, and this appointment puts Dr. Umar Saif at the head of this organization’s efforts to penetrate the digital space.
Dr. Umar Saif, who started working as the Chairman of PITB in November 2011, was previously ousted from his position when PTI came into power in federal as well as provincial governments of Punjab and KPK. He is also the founder of Plan9 and was appointed as the first chancellor of Information Technology University (ITU).
According to an email circulated within the Geo Network, Dr. Umar Saif will be the first Chief Digital Officer of Jang Media Group. A similar post was previously held by Faizan Siddiqui, Managing Director Interlink Multi-Media, who handled the Jang Media Group’s digital platforms and websites. Faizan is leaving this post and these responsibilities will now be taken over by Dr. Umar Saif under the umbrella of his new post. The email reads:
“Both traditional print media, as well as broadcast media, has continued to face challenges. The overall media industry is in a continuous state of transformation with new forms of digital content, easy to use creation and integration across devices and screens. Our business and operating models are still not set up for success in this future environment and therefore require bold decisions and fundamental changes. Delivering the digital experience of the future will call for new skills, new creative and technological capabilities, backed up by new organizational approaches. It is with this view that the board has created a new leadership position within the Group of the Chief Digital Officer.”
Dr. Umar Saif, while confirming the news while TechJuice, also said that the aim of this new role would be to work closely with Jang Media Group on his new Khudi movement and Khudi Ventures. He said that his focus would be on establishing a fund which invests in startups with an investment thesis of media transformation and sharing economy. More details about his role as CDO and information about Khudi movement will be revealed in the coming days.
