Sumantra Sumo Dutta

Sumantra Dutta (Born 1964, Patna, India), also known as “Sumo” is a Global Media Executive and business professional currently serving as the CEO of Beximco Communications Limited, Bangladesh. His professional career spanned 30 years with Nestle India Ltd, Times of India, Mudra, Star India (across businesses), STAR Middle East and Econet Vision Ltd. He is regarded to have a noteworthy contribution in the success of Star TV in India; exhibiting professionally acclaimed performance in diverse portfolios held at Star for over 20 years. During his tenure in the Middle East,as Country Head – Middle East, Pakistan, Africa & International Distribution of STAR India,he was named among the Top 10 Movers and Shakers of the Broadcast Industry by ArabianIndustry.Com ranking 6th on the list.

Sumantra was born on 11 November 1964 in Patna, Bihar (Indian). His father M.P. Dutta served with a German Pharmaceutical Company. Hoechst Pharmaceuticals M.P. Dutta met his wife Namita Dutta in Patna, Bihar. Both parents trace their roots back to Bangladesh (British India). After his father's passing away in August 2001, his mother continues to stay in Kolkata.

Sumantra attended La Martiniere Calcutta. He completed his graduation with a Bachelor of Commerce degree from St. Xavier's College, Calcutta. He also studied Hotel Management from Institute of Hotel Management (IHM), Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition, Calcutta.

In 1995, Sumantra married Elina Dutta, a former senior advertising professional, entrepreneur and social activist. The couple had their only daughter, Jahnavi Dutta in 1995.

Sumantra Sumo Dutta's career in Sales began with Nestle India Ltd.After Nestle & a brief stint in London, he moved back to India to work with Times of India in a Sales role followed by a move to an advertising career with Mudra.

Sumantra joined STAR TV as the Sales Manager (East). He moved to Delhi and subsequently Mumbai in May 1999. In 1999, he was part of the team that launched National Geographic Channel in India.

He along with his team launched the all new STAR Plus in July 2000. As Executive Vice President (Sales & Marketing) in 2000,  he was part of the core team that launched Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC – the Indian version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire) for STAR Plus.

In May 2001, Sumantra moved to set up STAR's FM radio business as Chief Operating Officer& launched India's first private FM radio network – “Radio City” in Bengaluru on 3 July 2001, which was later accorded the status of a “Superbrand” by Superbrands AsiaIn July 2003 he became Chief Executive Officer, Radio City.

In 2006, he started News Outdoor Group (a wholly owned subsidiary of News Corporation) as their Managing Director.

In 2008, he moved back to the TV side of the business to establish & drive STAR's International Distribution footprint. According to industry critics, he was instrumental in growing STAR's distribution footprint exponentially across International markets – USA, UK, Africa, Middle East and Asia as Country Head – Middle East, Africa & Pakistan based in Dubai.

In 2015, he moved to Econet Vision as Chief Executive Officer to work with Strive Masiyiwa to launch Africa's first Sub Saharan Africa DTH platform, Kwese TV.

Sumantra joined Beximco Communications Limited (a BEXIMCO Group Company) as Chief Executive Officer in March 2017 to launch Bangladesh's first DTH Satellite TV platform. He is currently based out of Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Sumantra Dutta was part of the following endeavors in his career:

• According to industry critics, he was one of the core team members in the launch of Cable & Satellite in India & STAR TV (1994)
• According to Star India management, he is regarded to be part of the launch of the National Geographic portfolio of channels in India (1999)
• In Indian media industry, he is known for relaunch of the flagship channel, STAR Plus as a Hindi General entertainment channel (2000) and key team member in the launch of KBC in India
• During his tenure as EVP of Sales & Marketing of STAR, STAR Plus received the award for Best Marketing activity for KBC launch, On behalf of Star, he received the award. (2000)
• Launch of India's Private FM radio industry and its first FM Radio network, Radio City, as CEO (2001)
• According to industry critics, He worked to establish FM Radio and Radio City as a strong media brand (2003)
• According to Indian Radio industry professionals, he is regarded tohave Undertaken lobbying efforts in FM Radio with the government & regulatory authorities for the removal of the nonviable fixed license fee structure to a revenue sharing arrangement. This involved getting all the radio companies to align onto a common platform leading to the formation of the Indian Radio Broadcasters Association (2001-2005)
• According to industry critics, STAR established itself as a leading network in the Middle East, Pakistan and Africa with Sumo's leadership in the region (2009-2014)
• He was Profiled as one of the Top 10 movers and shakers of the broadcast industry in the Middle East region by Digital Broadcast Middle East (2013)
• As CEO, he is regarded to have launched Africa's first Sub Saharan DTH Platform, Kwese TV (2016)