Prem Menon

Prem Menon (born 28 July 1952) is a prominent media personality, businessman and philanthropist based in Chennai. Prem was the Vice President of India's first regional television channel Asianet in 1992.[1] He also served as the Business Head of Zee Entertainment Enterprises and Zee News and was responsible for the success of Zee's regional television channel Zee Tamizh.[2][3] Prem is currently the managing director at Global United Media Company Pvt Ltd. Prem has also appeared in several television commercials and has appeared in cameo roles in several feature films.

For the actor, see Prem Menon (actor).

Prem Menon
Born (1952-07-28) 28 July 1952
Chennai, Tamil Nadu
OccupationMedia personality
Spouse(s)Usha
ChildrenArjun Menon

Early life

Prem was born to MM Menon, general manager of the then Hindustan Levers Pvt. Ltd. and Ammu Menon in Chennai. He went to school at St. Bede's Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School and later graduated from the Madras Christian College in Political Science. Throughout college, he was always inclined towards dramatics, theatre and was keen in pursuing a career in the entertainment industry. Prem was also the cultural secretary at MCC. After graduation, Prem worked for several organizations including Hindustan Levers Pvt Ltd, Wockhardt Pvt Ltd and Zubair Automotive in Oman. After working in Oman for over three years, Prem returned to India in 1986, and went on to set up PC India – one of the first computer hardware dealership firms in the country, along with his friends. A few years later, Prem decided to pursue his dream, quit PC India, to help set up the Malayalam Entertainment channel Asianet along with his college friend Sashi Kumar.

Career and media

Prem Menon joined Asianet as Vice President and was responsible for the channels success.[4] Some of Prem's super hit concepts included programs like Sthree, Comicola, and the prestigious Asianet Film Awards. After leaving Asianet in 2001, Prem had a stint at several organizations including positions like Vice President – Zee Network and President – Malar Network.[1][5][6] Prem rejoined Zee Network as Business Head of Zee Tamil and Zee News[7] in 2009 and was instrumental in building the Zee Tamizh. Some of the hit series that were telecast during his tenure included Solvathellam Unmai and Zee Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge. In 2013, Prem left Zee Network to end his long career in the Indian television industry and joined Global United Media, a company whose core engagements are film production, acquisition and distribution which was an instant success with releases like I and Baahubali across Kerala.[8][9][10][11] Prem has appeared in several TV commercials including Horlicks, Bharath Matrimony, Citibank and has even played cameo roles in movies like Sivaji and Dancer.

Filmography

As distributor
YearTitleLanguageNotes
2015ITamil and MalayalamKerala Distribution. Record opening and Largest state wide release (232 theatres) in Kerala. Highest grosser for Non Malayalam film in Kerala box office.[12][13]
2015Yagavarayinum Naa KaakkaTamilWorldwide Distribution
2015BaahubaliTamil, Telugu and MalayalamKerala Distribution. Credited with creating the largest poster in the world – Featured in the Guinness Book of World Records[14][15]
2015ThoongavanamTamilNCR Distribution
2016The Jungle BookEnglishKerala Distribution via Disney India
2016Devi(L)Tamil/MalayalamKerala Distribution
2017Baahubali 2: The ConclusionTamil, Telugu and MalayalamKerala Distribution
2017MersalTamilKerala Distribution

As producer
YearTitleLanguage
2015Lord Livingstone 7000 KandiMalayalam
2016KammatipaadamMalayalam
2017Sherlock TomsMalayalam

Personal life

Prem is married to Usha. They have one son, musician Arjun Menon and daughter-in-law Preethi.

References
  1. "Prem Kumar Menon is CEO of Real Estate TV". Sify. 23 May 2008. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  2. "'Jai Ho' for curbing dropout rate". The New Indian Express. 13 June 2013. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  3. "Zee Tamizh along with Rotary International District 3230 launches". Sulekha. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  4. "King Of The Southern Skies". Business Standard. 11 June 1997. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  5. "New 24-hour Tamil news channel in the pipeline". afaqs!. 29 December 2003. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  6. "MQ Networks takes charge of Ad Sales for Real Estate TV". Moneycontrol. 14 July 2008. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  7. "Zee Media Corporation Ltd". Bloomberg. Archived from the original on 9 June 2015. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  8. "Prem Menon acquires Aadhi movie theatrical rights for huge price". Common Man News. 24 March 2015. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  9. Menon, Akhila (24 April 2015). "Lord Livingstone 7000 Kandi First Look Poster Is Out". Filmibeat. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  10. "Aadhi's Costliest Film Yet, To Release Soon". The New Indian Express. 25 March 2015. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  11. Sreekumar, Priya (28 June 2015). "An epic venture: Bahubali". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  12. Nicy V.P (16 January 2015). "'I' Opening Day Box Office Collection: Vikram Film Gets Record Opening in Kerala; Beats Vijay's 'Jilla'". International Business Times. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  13. "Top 10 Tamil grossers in Kerala box office". TC360. 26 May 2015. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  14. "'Baahubali' poster enters Guinness Book". The Times of India. 23 July 2015. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  15. Barnes, Henry (23 July 2015). "Indian epic Baahubali breaks Guinness World Record for largest poster". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
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