Samaa TV’s Chief Marketing Officer Imran Ansari resigns after just 10 months, marking a major shake-up in Pakistan’s media industry. Insiders reveal details behind his surprise exit.
Imran Malik – MediaBites – November 4, 2025
In a major development within Pakistan’s media industry, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Imran Ansari has resigned from Samaa TV after just 10 months in the role — a surprising exit that has caught many in the broadcasting circle off guard.
Ansari, a seasoned marketing and sales professional, played a key role in restructuring Sales Operations, including Marketing, CTS, Transmission, and Product Development, and helped design SOPs for several major private TV channels.
Known for his strong professional relationships and deep insight into Pakistan’s advertising ecosystem, Ansari is among the few media executives who have worked across all sides of the industry — agency, production, publishing, and broadcasting.
He also contributed to the formation of the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) and served as Additional Secretary of the Digital Publishers Association of Pakistan (DPAP).
Before joining Samaa TV, Ansari had an illustrious 17-year career at Express News, where he rose from Director of Sales and Marketing to Chief Operating Officer (COO) before stepping down in 2024. His media journey began with NTM in 1993, followed by stints at Prestige Advertising and R-Lintas (now Lowe).
A graduate of the University of Hull, UK (MBA in Marketing, 1995), Ansari is widely regarded as one of the most experienced professionals in the country’s television sales and marketing sector.
Industry insiders suggest his exit from Samaa TV was a mutual understanding between the management and Ansari, though many view the decision — given his seniority and reported Rs2 million-plus monthly package — as a major shake-up in the media landscape.
Observers say that finding a similar leadership position in Pakistan’s tightening media market could be a challenging task.
The media fraternity extends best wishes to Imran Ansari for his future endeavors.
