SCMS SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT

ALUVA, COCHIN, KERALA - 683106

AN ORGANISATIONAL STUDY ON
AMAR UJALA PUBLICATIONS LTD.
NOIDA, UTTAR PRADESH
By
AKASH JAYAN
Reg. No. 52526
Submitted to the
MAHATMA GANDHI UNIVERSITY
In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Under the guidance of
Dr. MARY FATIMA CROSS
Associate Professor



SCMS SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
ALUVA, COCHIN, KERALA 683106


CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the report entitled, An Organizational study on Amar
Ujala Publication Ltd., Noida, Uttar Pradesh, is a bonafiderecord
submittedby Mr. Akash J ayan, RegNo.52526, in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the award of the Degree of Master of Business
Administration during the academic years 2013-2015.


Date: Dr. RADHA P.THEVANNOOR
DIRECTOR



SCMS SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
ALUVA, COCHIN, KERALA 683106

CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the report entitled, An Organizational study on Amar
Ujala Publication Ltd., Noida, Uttar Pradesh, is a bonafiderecord
submitted by Mr. Akash J ayan, RegNo.52526, in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the award of the Degree of Master of Business
Administration during the academic years 2013-2015

.
Date: Dr. MARY FATIMA CROSS
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR




DECLARATION
I, Mr. Akash Jayan, hereby declare that the report entitled, An
Organizational study on Amar Ujala Publication Ltd., Noida, Uttar
Pradesh, is my original work. I further declare that this report on the study
is based on the information collected by me and has not previously been
submitted to any other university or academic body.


Date: AKASH JAYAN
Reg. No. 52526













CERTIFICATE




vi


ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Fulfillment of a good project will include the help of some prominent persons. For their
helping hands I must express my gratitude. First of all I would like to thank our Director
Dr. Radha Thevannoor for giving me this opportunity to perform the study. I express
my sincere thanks to my faculty guide Dr. Mary Fatima Cross who assisted me to take
initiative and assume responsibility in bringing out the final piece of my work. I would
also like to thank other faculty members for their guidance and support.
My sincere thanks to Mr. Vainhav Vashistha (HEAD-HR, Amar Ujala Publication Ltd)
who had given me the opportunity to conduct the organizational study of Amar Ujala
Private Ltd which was required for the completion of my degree.
I heartily thank Mr. Pankaj M Jha (Sr. Manager HR, Amar Ujala Publication Ltd) who
guided me properly throughout my project which helped me to study. I would also like to
thank Mr. Tariq Tajdar (DM HR, Amar Ujala Publication Ltd) who had taken his time
out of a busy schedule and cooperated with me to get the required information. I would
also like to thank all the employees at Amar Ujala Publications Ltd. who have helped me
to complete this report.
Last but not the least I thank my parents and my friends without whom the study would
never have been a success.


AKASH JAYAN
Reg. No. 52526


vii


Executive Summary
The organizational study was conducted at Amar Ujala Publications Ltd., Noida from 2
nd

May, 2014 to 2
nd
June 2014. Amar Ujala is one of the leading Hindi dailies in India.
According to IRS (Indian Readership Survey) Q4 2012, it is the fourth largest Hindi
Daily by readership. A understanding of the state of affairs of the print industry was
attained. During the organizational study the organizational structure including the
organizational structure and the departmental structure were studied. An insight as to how
a newspaper organization works was learned. It was a fruitful experience.
The organization follows a tall structure with multiple levels. This structure supports the
organizational process. Amar Ujala has 11 departments which cater to the need of the
organization. The 11 departments include human resource department, finance
department, marketing department, editorial department, materials department,
production department, IT and systems department, print shop department, touch point,
books and magazine division and internal audit.
The major product of Amar Ujala Publication is the newspaper Amar Ujala. Other
products include its website - amarujala.com, a result portal - My result Plus, its mobile
apps, a tabloid size newspaper - compact, a weekly magazine - Yuvaan, magazine
Safalta and SafaltaSamiyki and books on preparation of civil service and other
competitive examinations.
The major reason for the success of Amar Ujala is because it thrives upon delivering
unbiased, truthful and authentic news to its readers. Another reason for the success of the
organization is its low attrition rate. It shows the organization caters to the needs of the
employee. An area where the newspaper can improve is with respect to its representation
in south India where it has an insignificant number of readership. One of the major
weakness of Amar Ujala is that it has no adequate representation in South India. Tight
competition from the cheap and readily available online media s a major threat.


viii


TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter
No.
Title Page
No.
Acknowledgement vi
Executive Summary vii
List of Tables and Figures x
One Introduction 1
An introduction to the study 2
Scope of the Study 2
Objectives of the Study 3
Methodology of the Study 3
Limitations of the Study 3
Two Analysis of External Environment of Business 4
Industry Analysis 5
Indian Newspaper Society 10
Registrar of Newspaper for India 11
Audit Bureau of Circulation 12
Indian Readership Survey 12
Competitors 13
Three Organizational Analysis 17
ix


Organizational Profile 18
History 18
Form of Ownership 20
Products 21
Corporate Structure 26
Functional Analysis 33
Social Activities 55
SWOT Analysis 58
Four Observations and Conclusions 60
BIBLIOGRAPHY










x


LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES
Tables Page No.
Table 1 Advertising revenue by language over the years 7
Table 2 Most circulated publications 16
Table 3 State-wise readership of Amar Ujala 19
Table 4 List of Supplementary/Features of Amar Ujala 22
Table 5 Number of employees in each unit 31
Figures
Figure 1 Timeline of launch of various editions of Amar Ujala 20
Figure 2 Corporate structure at Amar Ujala 27
Figure 3 Structure of task force 30
Figure 4 Career path (Non-Editorial) 36
Figure 5 Organogram of Human Resource Department 37
Figure 6 Organogram of Finance Department 43
Figure 7 Amar Ujalas Typical Distribution Channel 46
Figure 8 Organogram of Marketing Department 47
Figure 9 Organogram of Editorial Department 49
Figure 10 Editorial Career Path 50
Figure 11 Organogram of Productions Department 52
Figure 12 Organogram of Materials Department 53
Figure 13 SWOT Analysis 59











Chapter One
Introduction







2


An introduction to the Study
An organization is a social arrangement which pursues collective goals which
controls its own performance, and which has a boundary separating it from its
environment. An Organization is an association formed by a group of people who see that
there are benefits available to working towards a common goal.
Organizational studies are the studies of individual and group dynamics in an
organization setting, as well as the nature and of organization itself. Whenever people
interact in an organization, many factors come into play. Organizational studies attempt
to understand and model these factors.
Organizational study refers to the study of organization as a whole to get adequate
knowledge with various departments in an organization. The study was carried out at
Amar Ujala Publication Ltd., Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The study was conducted to gain an
insight on the different dimensions and aspects of various departments and their functions
in the organization.

Scope of the Study
The study throws light on the organizational study at Amar Ujala Publications Ltd
which was done from 2
nd
May, 2014 to 2
nd
June 2014. Both primary and secondary data
was used in the data collection process.The study was conducted at the corporate unit of
Amar Ujala which is located in Noida. The study focused mainly on the major
departments of the organization such as human resource department, editorial
department, finance department , materials department, marketing department, production
department and Touch Point. Other departments include IT and systems departments,
Print shop, Digital Business Department, Internal Audit Department, Books and
Magazine Department and Compact Department.


3


Objectives of the study
The main objective is to identify the functions, duties, responsibilities and
maintenance of each department. During this process how far the organization structure
was successful in accomplishing the objectives of the company was also verified. The
dependence of the success of an organization with relation to its organizational structure
was also measured. Other objectives were to perform an analysis on newspaper industry
with respect to the international, Indian and regional scenario. The various policies,
procedures and programme were also studied. A SWOT analysis was conducted based on
the finding of the study. An in depth analysis of the recruitment process at Amar Ujala
Publication Ltd. was also performed. The study was conducted so that maximum
exposure of how a organization functions is attained.

Methodology of the Study
The Organizational study at Amar Ujala Publications Ltd is descriptive in nature.
For the purpose of the study data were collected from the primary and secondary sources.

Both primary and secondary data was used in the data collection process.Primary
data are those data collected dierctly. Primary Data was mainly from observations and
interview with the employees of various departments.. Secondary data was mainly
colleted from the companys website, journals and other material from the library.

Limitations of the Study
The major constraint was the duration of the study. With more time more
departments could have been studied. The employees were busy due to this the interview
was usually short. Since Amar Ujala is a private limited company, access to information
was restricted. The financial data could not be accessed. Since most of the data was
primary, the data may be subject to personal bias of the employees.











Chapter Two
Analysis of External Environment of
Business







5


Industry Analysis
In 1976, Indias population was 775 million, one copy of newspaper appeared for
every 80 people. A quarter century later, as the population crossed one billion, one
newspaper was available for every 20 Indians. Currently, India had 82237 newspapers
and more are expected to emerge. Unlike online, print does not require internet
infrastructure. The broadband penetration in India is a mere 3.87% and concentrated in
major cities. It is observed that rising literacy in India will mean an audience for printed
newspapers well into this century. In 1976, 35 % could read. By 2014, the figure was
74%. Rising youth literacy, at 84 percent in 2014, does suggest the rise of the number of
potential readers.

Global Scenario
In the past decade and more, the international media has been flooded with
a gloomy prognosis about where print was heading. And quite rightly so, because
advertising revenue in print in the US has declined precipitously since 2000. The fact that
online is growing confirms that all other media is dying, especially print.

Indian Scenario
Since Indians are clued into Western trends because of the English
connection, it has naturally been assumed by many that the same fate applies here. The
most influenced by this has been the young adults from the metros, many of whom do
indeed get their news online. But, in India all media is growing, including print which is,
in fact, doing extremely well barring the odd blip. Over the last five years, advertising
inprint has been growing at a compounded annual growth rate of about 9 per cent.
According to KPMG, an international consultancy, this is the rate that will be maintained
for the next five years as well. One of the reasons why the online bias exists is simply
because of language. The vast bulk of the print readers in India, about 90 per cent, in fact,
consume their content in Hindi and regional languages. And relatively few of them have
6


gone online for a variety of reasons. Some tech issues plus the relative lack of variety in
content compared to English, has inhibited the growth of online.
There are two other factors that protect Indian print against the much
anticipated digital onslaught. First, newspapers are priced low in India relative to most
other countries. This has been true for English dailies for years but less so for regional
and Hindi titles, which were priced higher for fewer pages. As the competition has
become fierce, non-English dailies havebeen keeping their prices down too, while it is
easy to think of online as free, thats a misnomer. Content is free but access is not.
Certainly when it comes to accessing news and features, a newspaper for 100-150 per
month is still the most cost-effective way to consume news through the written word.
Also, a newspaper is shared in a way a screen cant be. The other, equally unappreciated
aspect of newspaper logistics is that anewspaper is dropped at a readers home at the
crack of dawn. This is a privilege not available in many places in the West, because the
labour cost of delivering the title is prohibitive. In India, the abundance of hands allows
this, although the hawker gets a share of a cover price which is low.

Regional Scenario
Ten years ago, English was the only place to be in the Indian newspaper
business. There were large newspapers in other languages too but they lacked in pages,
confidence and profit. Nothing exemplified the promise of riches better than The Times
of India, Mumbai. Within the print business it wasnt considered an edition: it was
viewed as a press that brought huge amount of profit for its owner, Bennett Coleman &
Co Ltd (BCCL). It was rated as unassailable, which is why, for years, nobody dared
challenge its monopoly in Mumbai.
Eight years later, The Times still makes more money from its Mumbai edition
than any other paper in India, but everything else has changed. The fascination with both
English and metros is past its peak and there are many who wonder if the best of the
English press is already behind it. English dailies tend to be hit harder in a slowdown, in
part, because they thrive in the metros which feel the effects of an economic reverse the
7


most. Last year, as the economy slowed down, dailies in other languages continued to
grow ad revenue by about 10 per cent for English, though, the figure was down to3.5
per cent.
Way back in 1995, Dainik Bhaskar took the bold step of looking beyond its
home turf of Madhya Pradesh. The newspaper was the first Hindi daily to launch an
edition outside its home state, when it entered Jaipur, Rajasthan, and shook the
established order. Today, Hindi dailies moving out of their comfort zone and taking the
competition head-on elsewhere is an old story. It has forced innovation that was
unimaginable two decades ago and has opened up a business that was family-owned and
inward looking. Emerging rural markets are playing an important role in the growth of
Hindi print, where a newspaper is not only a source of information, but leads to a lot of
discussion as well.
In the past, growth in media consumption was driven by the metros where
English was predominantly the leader, but with the increase in spending power of the
population in smaller cities, the game is shifting. This has increased the demand for
regional content. As Hindi titles have increased their penetration of small town India,
their blanket presence has made them attractive to national advertisers who need reach.

Table 1
Advertising revenue by language over the years, in Rs billion
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013* 2014* 2015* 2016* 2017*
English 49 53 57 59 62 66 70 74 79
Hindi 31 37 41 45 49 56 64 73 83
Regional 30 36 42 46 51 57 66 75 85
Total 110 126 140 150 162 179 200 222 247
Note.*Estimated. Adapted from KPMG in India analysis, Industry discussions conducted
by KPMG in India.

8


Political factors
To understand media, we need to understand the political
environment in which they operate. The media industry may not want government
regulation in some matters, but in this case it certainly does want government
intervention. The governments protection of copyright is crucial to the continued
functioning of the media industry. Without government enforcement of copyright laws, it
would not be possible for a newspaper to survive. Thus, the relationship between
government and media is more complex than a simple freedom of the press slogan
might suggest. To make sense of it, we must understand the constitutional notion of
freedom of the press in historical context.

Economic factors
During the 20th Century, newspapers were the primary source of information
for the public. Whether the subject was sports, finance, or politics, newspapers reigned
supreme. Just as important, their ads were the easiest way to find job opportunities or to
learn the price of groceries at ones town's supermarkets. The great majority of families
therefore felt the need for a newspaper every day, but didn't wish to pay for two.
Advertisers preferred the paper with the most circulation, and readers tended to want the
paper with the most ads and news pages. Thus, when two or more newspapers existed in
a major city (which was almost universally the case a century ago), the one that pulled
ahead usually emerged as the stand-alone winner. After competition disappeared, the
paper's pricing power in both advertising and circulation was unleashed. Typically, rates
for both advertisers and readers would be raised annually and the profits rolled in.

Social factors
Social factors influence people's choices and include the beliefs, values and
attitudes of society. Such changes can impact purchasing behavior. Consumer attitude is a
very important social factor.

9


Technological factors
Technology is increasingly competing with print media by opening access to
endless sources of news. It may now seem that the need of the reader to buy a newspaper
for news and the need of the advertiser to advertise in it is slowly receding. Thus it is for
the newspapers to look at emerging options and to rework their traditional sources of
revenue.

Environmental factors
Newspapers face significant challenges on the back of economic slowdown
and the consequent slowdown in advertising revenues, especially in the last quarter of
2008.Print media industry has to adapt to a fast-moving environment and players need to
draw upon new capabilities to survive in this environment.

Legal factors
As a measure of policy liberalization, Government has allowed Indian edition
of foreign news magazines for facilitating wider readership at affordable prices. Also,
Government has recently announced facsimile edition of international news papers to be
brought to India. Government has reviewed the print advertisement policy and brought
about changes to support small and medium newspapers. As per that policy,
advertisement support has been increased from 10% to 15% for Small newspapers and
from 30 to 35% for Medium newspapers, in money terms. Minimum publication period
requirement drastically reduced from 36 months to 6 months for regional languages
newspapers.

Threat of New Entrants
Threat of new entrants is extremely high. Online news providers and others
are new players in many media markets of all sizes. Moreover with many untapped
regional news, there is an increase in the number of newspapers.
10



Bargaining Power of Customers
Bargaining power of customers is high. Individual readers can choose to read
online content for free instead of paying for the newspapers. Another type of customers
are the Advertisers who have a say in the price of the advertisement.

Bargaining Power of Suppliers
Bargaining power of suppliers is fairly low. This is because of the wide
options the consumers have. Another reason is the inability of newspapers to do
something about the online challenge

Threat of Substitutes
Threat of substitute is very high. Most markets have multiple news sources.
Many people are content to seek news from Television stations or national publications.
Even those who want focused, local news from print publications have more than one
option in business journals, magazines, competing newspapers etc.

Competitive Rivalry
The competitive rivalry within the industry is very high. More than 82000
newspapers reflect large competition not just at the national level but at the regional level
as well. The firms cooperate when it comes to pricing of advertisement and the price at
which the newspaper is sold.

Indian Newspaper Society
The Indian Newspaper Society (INS) (formerly Indian and Eastern Newspaper
Society) acts as the central organization of the Press of India, an independent body
authenticating circulation figures of newspapers and periodicals in India. It is an
11


organization which plays a major role in protecting and promoting the freedom of press
in India. The society was founded in 1939. Its headquarters are at Rafi Marg, New Delhi.

INS membership comprises the owners, proprietors and publishers of print media
who discusses and suggest various measures to the government regarding the problems
related to the newspaper industry. It is a kind of pressure group which works to protect
the interest of newspaper industry in particular and print media in general.

Indian newspaper industry today faces problems ranging from rising cost and
paucity of newsprint to shrinking revenue from advertisement due to boom in electronic
media. The executive committee of INS represents the current 990 members from
newspapers, journals, periodicals and magazines.

Registrar of Newspaper for India
Registrar of Newspapers for India, more popularly known as RNI, is a statutory
body of Government of India for newspapers in India. It was established on 1 July 1956,
on the recommendation of the First Press Commission in 1953 and by amending the Press
and Registration of Books Act 1867. The Office of the Registrar of Newspapers for India
is headquartered in New Delhi, and has three regional offices at Kolkata, Mumbai and
Chennai. RNI regulates and monitors printing and publication of newspapers based on
the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867 and the Registration of Newspapers
(Central) Rules, 1956. The registrar is designated as Press Registrar, and Mohan Chandak
is the current Press Registrar.

The Press and Registration of Books Act contains the duties and functions of the
RNI. On account of some more responsibilities entrusted upon RNI during all these
years, the office is performing both statutory as well as some non-statutory functions



12


Audit Bureau of Circulation

The Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) of India is a non-profit circulation-
auditing organization. It certifies and audits the circulations of major publications,
including newspapers and magazines in India.
ABC is a voluntary organization initiated in 1948 that operates in different parts of
the world. Until 1948, the concept of circulation audit was yet to be made in India and the
publishers had no means to verify the actual circulation number of publications that they
used for advertising and had to depend more on their own judgment. Publishers also
found it difficult to convince advertisers of the relative values of their publication for the
purpose of advertising. It is with this background that eminent representatives of the
advertising profession and publishing industry came together to establish an organization
which could serve the common interest. Since then the benefit of ABC certificates of
circulation have been availed by advertisers, advertising agencies, publishers and
organizations connected with print media advertising.

Indian Readership Survey

The Indian Readership Survey (IRS) is the largest continuous readership research
study in the world with an annual sample size exceeding 2.56 lakh (256,000) respondents.
IRS collects a comprehensive range of demographic information and provides extensive
coverage of consumer and product categories, including cars, household appliances,
household durables, household care and personal care products, food and beverages,
finance and holidays. IRS is not restricted to survey of readership alone but is
synonymous with both readership & consumption across various FMCG (Fast-Moving
Consumer Goods) products throughout India. IRS covers information on over 100
product categories. IRS is conducted by MRUC (Media Research Users Council) and
RSCI (Readership Studies Council of India).



13


Competitors
Dainik Jagran
Dainik Jagran is a Hindi-language daily newspaper in India. According to the
Audit Bureau of Circulations (India) and the Indian Readership Survey 2013 (IRS 2013),
Dainik Jagran is the most read and circulated newspaper in India with an average Issue
Readership (AIR) of 15.526 million. Dainik Jagran has now been the most read daily
newspaper for the 26th consecutive time. It has also been declared by the World
Association of Newspapers (WAN) as one of the most read newspapers in the world. It
was also named as one of the most credible newspaper source in India in a survey
commissioned by BBC-Reuters. The newspaper is owned by Jagran Prakashan Limited, a
publishing house listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange
of India. Jagran Prakashan Limited also acquired Mid Day in 2010 and Naiduniya in
2012.

DainikBhaskhar
'D.B. Corp Ltd.' Is one of the largest Print Media Company of India with
19.8mn readership. It is a publisher of Indian Hindi-language daily newspaper Dainik
Bhaskar, (Gujarati-language daily newspaper Divya Bhaskar, Marathi-language daily
newspaper Divya Marathi, Saurashtra Samachar, DB Star & DNA). It was started in year
1958 from Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh. In 1983, it commenced its
ambitious journey of expansion with the launch of Dainik Bhaskar's Indore edition. It
expanded its presence to 14 states in 4 different languages namely Hindi, Gujarati,
Marathi and English. Currently, in Hindi markets under flagship newspaper "Dainik
Bhaskar" it is present in 12 states with 37 editions. Beside this it is also present in Gujarat
as "Divya Bhaskar"in Gujarati language with 7 editions and in Maharashtra as "Divya
Marathi" in Marathi language with 7 editions. As of 2014, its National Editor is Kalpesh
Yagnik who operates from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.


14


Hindustan

Hindustan Dainik or ''Hindustan'' is published by Hindustan Media Ventures
Limited. Earlier it was part of HT Media Ltd group, which spun off its Hindi business
into a separate company named Hindustan Media Ventures Limited in December 2009. It
ranks as the third largest-read daily in the country. Hindustan has 19 editions across the
Hindi belt. They are spread across Delhi, Bihar (Patna, Muzaffarpur, Gaya and
Bhagalpur), Jharkhand (Ranchi, Jamshedpur and Dhanbad), Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow,
Varanasi, Meerut, Agra, Allahabad, Gorakhpur, Bareilly, Moradabad, Aligarh, and
Kanpur) and Uttarakhand (Dehradun, Haridwar, Haldwani). Apart from these, the paper
is also available in key towns like Mathura, Saharanpur, Faizabad.

In Delhi plus NCR, Hindustan is an undisputed No. 2 and has a rapidly
growing even as the market is declining. Hindustan readership has grown to 120 L
readers in Q4 11. As per Total Readership, Hindustan is No 2 with 385 L readers.

Hindustan in addition to high-quality reportage also aspires to become an ally
to its readers in their quest for success. The ambition for the brand is to become the
partner of progress for the youth in the Hindi belt. Currently, the major editions of
Hindustan are available online in e-paper format.

The Times of India
The Times of India (TOI) is an Indian English-language daily newspaper. In
2008, the newspaper reported that with a circulation of over 3.14 million it had been
certified by the Audit Bureau of Circulations (India) as the world's largest selling
English-language daily, ranking it as the third largest selling newspaper in any language
in the world and the largest selling newspaper outside Japan. According to the Indian
Readership Survey (IRS) 2012, the Times of India is the most widely read English
newspaper in India with a readership of 7.643 million. This ranks the Times of India as
15


the top English daily in India by readership. It is owned and published by Bennett,
Coleman & Co. Ltd. which is owned by the Sahu Jain family.

MalayalaManorama
MalayalaManorama is a daily morning newspaper, in Malayalam language,
published from Kottayam in the state of Kerala, India by MalayalaManorama Company
Limited. It was first published as a weekly on 14 March 1890, and currently has a
readership of over 20 million (with a circulation base of over 2.1 million copies). The
Malayalam title "manorama" roughly translates to "entertainer".

According to World Association of Newspapers, as of 2011, it holds a
position as top 11th most circulating newspaper in the world. According to the Audit
Bureau of Circulations (ABC) 2013 figures, it is the fourth largest circulating newspapers
in India (behind Dainik Bhaskar, The Times of India and Dainik Jagran) and largest
circulating newspaper in Kerala.











16


Table 2
Most circulated publications

Sl. No. Title Language Average sales
(Jul-Dec 2013)
Average sales
(Jan-Jun 2013)
1 The Times of India English 3,321,702 2,997,675
2 Dainik Jagran Hindi 3,112,560 2,763,208
3 Dainik Bhaskar Hindi 2,963,407 3,450,945
4 Hindustan Hindi 2,237,243 1,958,957
5 Malayala Manorama Malayalam 2,232,585 2,148,012
6 Amar Ujala Hindi 2,018,028 2,149,012
7 Eenadu Telugu 1,801,218 1,767,148
8 Rajasthan Partrika Hindi 1,785,083 1,625,875
9 Daily Thanti Tamil 1,721,833 1,690,608
10 Lokmat Marathi 1,476,900 1,448,463

Note. Adapted from Audit Bureau of Circulation report as on May, 2014
From the above statistics we can see that the major competitors of Amar Ujala in
the Hindi newspaper dailies are Dainik Jagaran, Dainik Bhaskar and Hindustan. These
newspapers came into the market much before Amar Ujala and thus they have a early
mover advantage. Dainik Jagran and Hindustan show an increase in the circulation
comparing the two halves of the year. Whereas Dainik Bhaskar and Amar Ujala has
shown a decline in circulation.













Chapter Three
Organizational Analysis









18


Organizational Profile
Over the last 65 years Amar Ujala has become the voice of people across the Hindi
Heartland. Today Amar Ujala is the undisputed leader in Uttaranchal, Himachal, and
Jammu & Kashmir and is a strong force in UP, Delhi NCR, Haryana, Chandigarh and
Punjab.

Name : Amar Ujala Publications Ltd
Address : C-21/22,
Sector 59,
Noida 201301
Website :www.amarujala.com
Vision : To lead with Truth, Courage and
Commitment.
Mission : A leading media house empowering people
by providing unbiased news with Courage of
Conviction, Commitment, Team Work,
Transparency & Creativity.
Market Status : 4
th
largest Hindi daily
Managing Director
Director
No. of employees

: Mr. RajulMaheshwari
: Mr. TanmayMaheshwari
: 3,200 (approx)


History
The foundation of AMAR UJALA was laid down by Late Shri DoriLal Agarwal
and Late Shri MurariLalMaheswari on 18
th
of April 1948 in Agra. Amar Ujala was
launched on the 18th of April 1948 from Agra, as a 4 page newspaper with a circulation
of 2576 copies with an objective of promoting social awakening and introducing a feeling
of responsibility among the citizens of a recently independent India. In keeping with
19


these objectives that the publishers had set for themselves, the kind of news published
was basically revolving around political and social issues and crime. Starting from that
modest beginning, 20 years later Amar Ujala achieved a circulation of 20,000 copies and
was servicing over 14 districts in Western Uttar Pradesh. Growing slowly, but steadily,
the turn of the century saw Amar Ujala as one of the top 3 dailies of India. Not only has
the newspaper shed the barriers of Western Uttar Pradesh and spread itself across the
entire state, but has also ventured into other neighboring states as well.

Today, Amar Ujala has a staggering circulation of over 2.2 million copies and a
readership of over 30 million. Additionally Amar Ujala is now also a leading newspaper
in Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. Amar Ujala
has 117 Editions including 18 Main Edition.

Table 3
State-wise readership of Amar Ujala
Region Total Readership (lakhs)
Jammu Kashmir 2.42
Himachal Pradesh 14.39
Uttarakhand 21.87
Chandigarh 1.46
Note. Adapted from IRS 2012 Q4

Not ever deviating from the objectives with which the newspaper was originally
started, even today Amar Ujala continues to be a completely unbiased newspaper with a
thrust on political and current events and developments in all fields across the nation and
beyond .Over the years, a lot has changed in Amar Ujala. Using the latest state of the art
technology and equipment, Amar Ujala is now being printed from 18 editions. Also in
keeping with today's fast paced life, all printing centers are connected by latest
technology to enhance speed of news dissemination. Also in keeping with today's fast
paced life, all printing centers are connected by V-sat technology to enhance the speed of
20


news dissemination. To ensure quality of material and content, Amar Ujala has a regular
membership with AFP (Agence France-Presse) and AP(Associated Press). The latest
photographs are therefore part of every edition.
Amar Ujala has grown dramatically and has evolved with the changing times. The
newspaper is known for some ground breaking journalism and even in today's cut throat
competition; Amar Ujala is still selling Authenticity, Honesty and Trust





Figure 1
Timeline of launch of various editions of Amar Ujala

Form of Ownership
Amar Ujala Publications is a private limited. A limited company is a company in
which the liability of members or subscribers of the company is limited to what they have
invested or guaranteed to the company. Who may become a member of a private limited
company is restricted by law and by the company's rules. The registration of companies
in India is handled by the Ministry of Company Affairs, which is charged with
administering the Companies Act 2013 and other acts related to Indian private sector.


21


Products
Amar Ujala Newspaper
India's fourth largest Hindi daily with 18 editions in 7 states and 1 union
territory covering 167 districts, has a staggering readership of over 3 crore& circulation
of approximately 22 lakhs making it the leading newspaper daily in Uttarakhand,
Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & very strong No. 2 in Uttar Pradesh.
Amar Ujala started its journey from Agra on 18th April 1948. 65 years later
today Amar Ujala is the fourth largest read Hindi daily. Amar Ujala was initially
launched in Agra as a 4 page newspaper with a circulation of 2576 copies. From a modest
beginning, 20 years later Amar Ujala achieved a circulation of 20,000 copies and was
servicing over 14 districts in Western Uttar Pradesh. Growing slowly, but steadily, the
turn of the century saw Amar Ujala as one of the top 10 dailies of India. Not only has the
newspaper shed the barriers of Western Uttar Pradesh and spread itself across the entire
state, but has also ventured into other neighboring states.
Currently, Amar Ujala publishes a 16 to 18 page daily issue with colorful,
vibrant pages in every edition. In addition to the main issue Amar Ujala also offers
special supplements focusing on Career, Entertainment, Women and many more.








22


Table 4
List of Supplementary/Features of Amar Ujala
Supplement /
Feature
Frequency Positioning Page type
Manoranjan Every Sunday Amusement/ Film/
TV/ Fashion
Broadsheet
Udan Every Wednesday Careers/ Jobs/
Admissions
A4 Magazine
Roopayan Every Friday Women A4 Magazine
Safalta Monthly Career/
Competition
A4 Magazine
Purwai Monday
Fortnightly
Local
Entertainment
&Literature
Broadsheet
Duniya 360 Wednesday General &
Contemporary
Broadsheet
Shraddha Friday Religion
&Spirituality
Broadsheet
NaiZameen Every Sunday Literature Broadsheet
KachiDhoop Every Saturday Children Broadsheet
Parinay Every Sunday Matrimonial Sheets
Yuvaan Every Saturday Youth education,
guidelines and
entertainment
24 page Tabloid
Compact Daily Paper Tabloid
Compact/
KhulaPanna
Daily Good life
/Religion
Broadsheet
Focus Every Monday Issues Broadsheet


23


Amarujala.com
Amarujala.com is one of the fastest growing Hindi news portals of the
country, commanding great credibility in its genre. The website was first launched in
March 2010. Ever since amarujala.com has offered rich and informative content that
provides its readers in-depth compelling local, national and international news. It abides
by the motto Saar se vistaartak, a philosophy that focuses on both comprehensiveness
and expansive content, be it in terms of news, information or entertainment.
Amarujala.com is favorite amongst people who want to know and read local
news. Though we are covering news from more than 12 states and 250 regions in India,
we are updating local news from 118 city centers across seven states of North India
regularly. To cover the cities more efficiently, amarujala.com has launched hyper local
news sites, the beginning of which has been made with the cities of Delhi
(www.delhincr.amarujala.com) and Chandigarh (www.chandigarh.amarujala.com) and
Lucknow (www.lucknow.amarujala.com), Dehradun (www.dehradun.amarujala.com).
Apart from this amarujala.com covers entertainment news and features
elaborately. It captures all the industry news, quirky gossips and reviews of new movie
launches. In-depth information on sports, astrology, faith, business, technology and auto
world leaves the readers engrossed to their screens. The lifestyle section compiles the
latest trends of the fashion and the best practices of staying healthy.
One of the most read property Zara IddharBhi features the wild and weird
news across the world.Amarujala.com also brings exciting contests from time to time and
lets its readers to play games online.
Recent launch also includes a platform for the Hindi bloggers that has gained
immense popularity and traction in a short span of time.



24


MyResultPlus
MyResultPlus, the fastest result portal is also owned and managed by Amar
Ujala Publications ltd. MyResultPlus is recognized as the web portal which uploads
results from various boards and universities as soon as they are out. It also keeps its
readers updated on career counseling, scholarship, personality development, education
loan and more.

Amar Ujala Apps & Deals
Amarujala.com extends its self to the mobiles of its readers in form of Mobile
Applications. Amar Ujala News App, Amar Ujala Best Deals, Amar Ujala Movie
Review, Pinky ki Diary and Course finder are quite popular amongst youngsters

Amar Ujala Compact
Amar Ujala Compact is a tabloid sized complete newspaper with international
design and great mix of content from news (national and international), sports and
technology to entertainment etc. Compact, now is the largest read tabloid newspaper in
Uttar Pradesh with the total readership of 25, 90,000 (source: IRS 12 Q4 TR). Compact
started its journey from Kanpur on 20th Oct 2007 and made its ways to become the
Number 1 tabloid in Kanpur. The next milestone was Agra on 29 November 2007 and
there was no looking back post Agra. In 2008, four editions of Compact were launched.
Allahabad and Varanasi were twin launches on 17 January followed by Meerut on 21
January and Dehradun on 24 January. 2010 witnessed launch of Compact in Gorakhpur
on 2 April and Bareilly on 12 April. Compact reigns supreme in Agra with 92,000
readers, in Allahabad with 2, 94,000 readers, in Gorakhpur & Bareilly with 82,000 and
21, 0000 readers respectively. Kanpur also crowned Compact its Number 1 tabloid with
4, 07,000 readers.

25


Amar UjalaYuvaan
Amar UjalaYuvaan is a weekly newspaper published every Saturday with
footprint in 8 states and 1 Union Territory (UP, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi,
Haryana, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and Chandigarh) and circulation of 40,000 (as per
internal PO). Yuvaan is targeted at students with an objective of inculcating reading
habits in adolescents. Yuvaan has a perfect mix of both English and Hindi articles.
Yuvaan is a 24 page tabloid with diversified content and plethora of
interesting reads. Yuvaan encapsulates inspiring success stories of the young for the
young, shares updates in the field of science and technology, language, literature, health,
sports along with the happenings in the country and the world and many more. With info
on various career options Yuvaan gives a new horizon to the students. Yuvaan also
interacts with its readers through social media Yuvaanamarujala and publishes their
thoughts and opinions.
In short Yuvaan is infotainment ka download and works towards shaping
the persona of the adolescents by giving them a 360 degree horizon for themselves and
towards the world as a whole.

Magazines
Safalta, a niche monthly magazine, was launched in August 2011, for
students aspiring for Civil Services and all A grade competitive exams, at a cover price
of Rs.60. It has a unique combination of study material required to successfully clear
examination. It is a complete solution to prepare from written examinations to interviews.
After stupendous success of Safalta, SafaltaSamiyki was launched; a monthly magazine
at a very reasonable cover price of Rs.20. SafaltaSamyiki provides information and
material in the segment of General knowledge and Current affairs focusing and catering
to government jobs aspirants.

26


Books
Amar Ujala offers education books for the preparation of Civil Services,
UGC -NET/JRF and various other competitive examinations (Bank PO, TET,
PGT/TGT/POLICE/RAILWAY/CRPF/NDA/CDS/PCS etc.). Amar Ujala has multiple
patterns in the segment, comprising of complete guides / previous years solved papers /
practice sets and others. Amar Ujala is building title banks, for all competitive exams
related to national and state level and plans to have approximately 500 plus titles.

Organizational Structure
Amar Ujala follows a tall organizational structure. The reason to call it a tall
structure is because it has multiple levels. In a tall structure, managers form many ranks
and each has a small area of control. The advantage of tall structures lie in clarity and
managerial control. The narrow span of control allows for close supervision of
employees work. Tall structures provide clear and distinct layers with obvious lines of
responsibility and control and a clear promotion structure. Challenges begin when a
structure gets too tall. Communication begins to take too long to travel through all the
levels. These communication problems hamper decision-making and hinder progress. But
in Amar Ujala despite having a tall organizational structure, all communication goes from
top to bottom very quickly and the structure supports the organizational process.







27





















Figure 2
Organisational structure at Amar Ujala
Managing Director
(Owner)
Vice President
Assistant Vice
President
General
Manager
Deputy General
Manager
Assistant
General
Manager
Chief
Functional
Head
Unit Heads
Chief
Manager
Sr.
Manager
Manager
Assistant
Manager
Senior
Officer
Officer
Executive
Trainee
A
A
28


Functions of Managing Director
The business of the company is managed by the Managing Director who pays
for all the expenses incurred in setting up and registering the company. The Managing
Director is duly complied by the provision of the Indian Companies Act 1913. It is his
duty to send to the registrar the annual list of members, notice of any consolidation or
increase of share capital or conversion of shares into stock and copies of special
resolution. Other functions are
To purchase or otherwise acquire for the company any property, right or
privileges which the company is authorized to acquire.
To secure the fulfillment of any contract or engagements entered into the
company.
To appoint and at their discretion remove or suspend such managers, secretaries,
officers, clerks, agents and servants for permanent, temporary or special services
as they may from time to time think fit based on the performance.
To appoint any person to accept and hold in trust for the company any property
belonging to the company
To draw, accept, endorse and negotiate all such cheques, bills of exchange,
drafts, promissory note and government and other securities in connection with
the business.
From time to time to make, vary and repeal byelaws for the regulation of the
business of the company, its offices and its servants.
To commence and carry on or defend, abandon or compromise any legal
proceedings whatsoever including proceedings in insolvency on behalf of the
company or to refer any claims or demands by or against the company to
arbitration and to observe and perform the awards and to accept compositions
from or give time to any debtor or contributory owing money or alleged to owe
money to the company.
To give receipts, releases and discharges on behalf of the company.
To invest and deal with any money of the company not immediately required for
the purpose of its business and in such a manner as they think fit.
29


Functions of a General Manager
He is directly accountable to the Managing Director
Create better inter departmental and inter unit coordination to facilitate
smooth and efficient functioning.
Streamline and monitor the activities of the circulation and marketing
department.
Formulate a financial budget an planning in tune with the growth and
stability of the organization
Taking into consideration the strengths and weaknesses of the
organization, conceive innovative and creative strategies to cope with the
highly competitive market conditions prevailing now.
Advise the Managing Director on appropriate steps to be taken to make
this a better organization so that each and every employee feels he is a
valuable member in the organization and develop team concept for
enabling him to contribute his/her best.

Unit Head
There are 18 units in the Amar Ujala newspaper division which helps the
coverage of its newspaper in Allahabad, Varanasi, Kanpur, Lucknow, Gorakhpur,
Moradabad, Bareilly, Jhansi, Meerut, Aligarh, Agra, Noida, Dehradun, Rohtak,
Chandigarh, Dharamshala, Jammu and Haldwani. Unit chief is responsible for
administration of their respective unit.

Functions of a Unit Head
1. Head of unit task force
2. Formulates the task force decision
3. Coordinates the activities of each unit

30



Figure 3
Structure of task force

Amar Ujala has 18 units spread across northern part of India. Each unit had a Unit
Head who is also the head of editorial in the unit. Under the unit head we have Unit
SPDM Head, Unit Financial Controller, Unit Production Head, Unit Materials Head, Unit
HR and Admin Head and Unit IT Head. These Heads lead their respective departments.















Unit Head &
Editorial
Head
Unit
SPDM
Head
Unit
Financial
Controller
Unit
Production
Head
Unit
Materials
Head
Unit HR
and Admin
Head
Unit IT
Head
31


Table 5
Number of employees in each unit location
Sl No. Unit Location No. of employees
1 Agra 165
2 Aligarh 76
3 Allahabad 123
4 Bareilly 141
5 Chandigarh 279
6 Corporate Office, Noida 344
7 Dehradun 152
8 Dharamshala 71
9 Gorakhpur 130
10 Jhansi 74
11 Jammu 83
12 Kanpur 74
13 Lucknow 231
14 Meerut 215
15 Moradabad 175
16 Nainital 95
17 Noida 103
18 Rohtak 259
19 Varanasi 123

Activities of a Task Force
1. It is a body that comprises heads of all departments in each unit
2. It is for analyzing individual unit performance
3. Task force is for monitoring the activities of each department



32


Company Secretary
Company secretary is an officer of the company who has certain
responsibilities under the law and under and under any duties passed to him by the
directors. The role of the company secretary is administrative rather than managerial. The
secretary is an officer of the company as such has the duty of ensuring that the affairs of
the company are conducted in accordance with
1. The Companies Act
2. The Companies Articles
3. Generally in accordance with the law

Functions of company secretary
1. The company secretary performs all duties that he is required to perform under the
Companies Act
2. He supplies the required data to the companys advocates in connection with legal
matters
3. He is directly accountable to the managing director

Powers of the company secretary
The company secretary could be described as the Chief Administrative
Officer and as such has the authority to enter into contracts on behalf of the Company
concerning administrative matters

Duties of the company secretary
1. To attend all meetings and write up minutes of such meetings
2. To ensure proper filling of documents with the Registrar or the court
3. Issue notices to the shareholders and others
4. Deal with the shareholders queries regarding transfers and other matter relating the
registrar of members
33


5. Be responsible for the books of the company such as registrar for members and
directors and for all necessary returns to the company house.

Functional Analysis

Human Resource Department
Of all the factors of production, man is by far the most important factor. In
fact the success of every business enterprise is dependent on its human element. The
Human Resource department is concerned with the managerial and operative function i.e.
a view to attain the organizational goals effectively , efficiently and economically and
meeting the social and individual goals .At Amar Ujala, this department performs all
those activities which helps the management in getting and consolidating the work done
in best possible manner from the persons at different hierarchical levels and from
different departments to make sure that all the work done separately by them should be
for the organizations benefit .Thus it considers all the problems of people at work i.e.
economic ,social, psychological and political problems.

Functions of Human Resource Department
Recruitment and maintenance of the employees, training arrangement,
job analysis and job description, grievance handling, disciplinary action and employees
welfare are the major functions performed by this department.
A square is best fit in a square pack only not in a circle
that is the right person at right place to do right work with right energy in a right manner
and in minimum time.
It is the best possible way of an organization to grow and develop and
to ensure that all the inputs are optimally utilized .This department conducts the
following welfare schemes for Amar Ujala employees
34


Employee Provident Fund
Employee Family Pension Scheme
Employee Group Insurance Scheme
Payment of Gratuity
Loan Schemes
Medical Facilities (Mediclaim )
Leave Allowance
Group Term Life Scheme
Group Personal Accident Scheme
Along with this , department also holds responsibility to see that the
efficiency is maintained in the organization and each department understands the close
relationship it has with all the other departments and also each department performs their
work individually as well as work in coordination with other departments for the best
results.
Mediclaim Policy
Objective is to provide financial assistance in case of Medical treatment
of an Employee/ dependents. It is applicable to employee whose Monthly Gross Salary is
more than Rs. 15,000.
Sum Assured Amount Limit:
Upto 30,000 (Gross Salary) Rs. 1 Lac
Upto 50,000 (Gross Salary) Rs. 1.5 Lac
More than 50,000 (Gross Salary)-Rs. 2 Lac
Amount = 3.121% of Sum Assured


35


Group Personal Accident Policy
Objective is to provide financial security to the family of deceased
(Accidental). It is applicable to all employees in case of death. Sum Assured Amount
Limit starts from Rs. 2 Lac goes up to Rs. 7 Lac
Group Term Life Insurance Policy
Objective is to provide financial security to the family of deceased
(Accidental or Natural). Applicable to all employees in case of death. Sum Assured
Amount Limit is 36 times of the Monthly Gross Salary.
Leave Policy
Leave can be granted to attend personal affairs, recover from sickness
and rejuvenate, to handle emergencies or to enjoy the vacations and stay away from the
work for a while. It is applicable to all employees of Amar Ujala.
Every employee from Non- Editorial is entitled for Casual Leave (7
days a year), Earned Leaves (15 days a year) and Medical Leave (10 days a year). Every
employee from Editorial is entitled for Casual Leave (15 days a year), Earned Leaves (27
days a year) and Medical Leave (10 days a year). Apart from these 11 holidays are
granted to the employees.
1 Week advance notice along with approval of your Reporting Officer
needs to be given before taking planned leave. Intimate over the phone to your Reporting
Officer, but leave application form needs to be submitted on the next day.





36


Career path



















Figure 4
Career path (Non-Editorial)
VICE-PRESIDENT
ASSITANT VICE-
PRESIDENT
GENERAL MANAGER
DEPUTY GENERAL
MANAGER
ASSISTANT GENERAL
MANAGER
CHIEF MANAGER
SENIOR MANAGER
MANAGER
MANAGEMENT TRAINEE
EXECUTIVE
OFFICER
SENIOR OFFICER
ASSISSTANT MANAGER
DEPUTY MANAGER
PRESIDENT
A
A
37



Figure 5
Organogram of Human Resource Department


Head HR
Chief
Manager
Deputy
Manager
Operation
Seniior
Officer
Senior
Officer
Officer
Sr.
Manager -
Talent
Acquision
Asst.
Manager -
Talent
Acquision
Deputy
Manager -
HR Edit
Manager -
Compliance
Unit HR -
Admin
Asst
Manager -
Admin
Allied
Executive
Sr. Manage
Admin
Assit
Manager
Officer
Officer
Asst
manager
38


Recruitment
Recruitment is the process of finding and attracting capable applicants
for employment. The process begins when new recruits are sought and ends when their
applications are submitted. The result is a pool of applicants from which new employees
are selected.
The various steps in the recruitment process at Amar Ujala are
Manpower Planning
Estimating or projecting the number of personnel with different skills required over
time or for a project, and detailing how and when they will be acquired. In the process of
manpower planning analysis of the current manpower inventory, making future
manpower forecasts, developing employment programmes and designing of training
programmes are done. It aims at putting right number of people, right kind of people at
the right place, right time, doing the right things for which they are suited for the
achievement of goals of the organization. It is a systems approach and is carried out in a
set procedure. It involves determination of future needs of manpower in the light of
organizational planning and structure. It indicates what actions can be taken to make
existing manpower suitable for future organizational positions and the gap between
needed and available manpower can be fulfilled. In this process a certain no of manpower
is sanction for each department.

Identification of shortage of manpower
Using the process of manpower planning the shortage in manpower is identified in
each unit and further in each department. With respect to the urgency of manpower in the
particular vacant post a report is created and sent to the Unit Head.

Manpower Requisition
The Unit Head/Department Head then sends a manpower requisition form to
Corporate HR. The form contains columns for brief job description, profile specification
and justification for hiring. Based on various factors the report is either accepted or
39


rejected by the Corporate functional head. The acceptance is based on the sanctioned
manpower for each year. Then the form is sent to corporate HR.
Searching of the right employee
At Amar Ujala both internal and external sources are used for recruitment.
Searching of the right employee is done by placing ads in naukri.com, by reference of
existing or past employees, manpower recruitment consultant and through advertisement
in newspaper.
Personal initial screening by Human Resource Department
The candidate is requested to submit a copy of the resume and certificate along
with the employment form. The employment form contains personal details, academic
qualification and work experience. Human Resource department is responsible for the
verification of the certificates and other relevant data such as work experience, reference
etc.
Functional interview by the Concerned Department
A direct interview is conducted by the concerned department. For evaluation a
rating scale method is used. The candidate is assessed on his personality (dress,
appearance, confidence, manners etiquette etc), leadership (initiative, interpersonal
relations, decision making, analytical ability etc) communication (oral communication,
clarity, written communication etc) and functional competence (job knowledge, relevant
Experience etc.). Any other observations and limitations are also written in the interview
rating and recommendation sheet.
Short listing job role vs skill fulfillment analysis by Thomas profiling
Thomas Personal Profile Analysis (PPA) is a forced choice instrument used as a
means to describe an individual in a self-referential way. It provides information of
importance and value to employers making personnel decisions.Thomas PPA is a self-
administered forced choice adjective checklist consisting of 24 tetrads of descriptive
40


words, from each of which applicants are asked to select which they believe describes
those most and which least.
Psychometric and Personality Test
A Psychometric test is used for measuring sensitivity, memory, intelligence and
aptitude of the candidate. A personality test is used to judge the personality traits such as
level of confidence, etiquette etc. Candidates at Amar Ujala go through these tests at the
clinic of Dr. K.M Broota. The candidates of editorial, sales promotion and Market
Development, HR and Admin and candidates of senior position go through these tests.
Computer Test
All candidates up to the post of the manager undergo a computer test. This test is
both written and practical. In this test the candidates skills on word, excel and
PowerPoint are accessed.
Salary Negotiation
Salary Negotiation is done to came to an understanding regarding the salary of the
employee. This will also include the benefits provided by the company. Salary
negotiation in the case of experienced candidate is done based on the basis of his
previous salary.
Release of Offer Letter
After the approval of the candidate letter a of intent (LOI), is send to him/her by the
corporate HR. In the LOI joining date of candidate is mentioned. The candidate conforms
he date of joining and brings all required documents on that day.
Performance Appraisal
Performance Appraisal is a method by which the job performance of an
employee is documented and evaluated. Performance appraisals are a part of career
development and consist of regular reviews of employee performance within
41


organizations. The steps involved in the process of performance appraisal at Amar Ujala
are given below
1. Corporate HR to decide on periodicity, parameters, guidelines & timelines for
performance appraisal
2. Corporate HR to propose & take MD's Approval for Budget
3. Corporate HR to prepare self-rating form which shall be distributed to the
employees eligible for appraisal- Online Activity at Official Intranet
4. Employee to rate himself on given parameters and submit the form to HR & to his
reporting authority- Online Activity at Official Intranet
5. Reporting authority to evaluate & review the form and will rate the employee
performance on given parameters- Online Activity at Official Intranet
6. Reviewing Authority to review & submit his remarks/ratings- Online Activity at
Official Intranet
7. Corporate HR to collate the data & put for approval of MD/Director with
observations
8. MD/Director to approve the appraisal after review & verifying the details
9. Corporate HR to prepare individual letters for the employees
10. Corporate HR & Unit HR to distribute the letters
11. Corporate HR to effect necessary changes in Payroll

Finance Department
Accounts Department is the core of any business organization. This
department presents systematic, classified and summarized facts for the information
about organizational financial status and current position. Its main responsibility is to
provide facts for the organizations management body on timely basis so that they can
take timely decisions. In Amar Ujala this department collects financial records, classify
them, calculate them, summarize them and present them in a required form to the
management on timely and regular basis so as to make the decisions of management
more effective and efficient.


42


Functions of Finance Department
Recording of transactions, regularly.
Determining of actual cost of the assets of the organization.
Classification of data, transformation of data into valuable information.
Making information more reliable, more precise, accurate and timely as brief as
needed.
Budgeting and forecasting.
At Amar Ujala, this department keeps records of following details:
Profit and Loss Account and Balance Sheet
Office and Administrative Department Expenses
Building Maintenance and service Expenses
Additional Expenses
General Expenses
Advertising Expenses
Advertising revenue and Circulation Expenses
Payrolls and Salaries










43















Figure 6
Organogram of Finance Department

Marketing Department
The marketing department at Amar Ujala is split into two divisions. They are
Media solutions division (AD sales department) and Sales Promotion and Market
Division (circulations department).


CFO
GM- Operations

Senior Manager A/c

Senior Manager News
Print
Company Secretary
DGM - ERP
44


Media Solutions (Ad-Sales Department)
This department is the life blood of any newspaper like AMAR
UJALA. At present when tempo of our thinking , way of our life in general,
technological, economic and social values are changing, the advertising department of
Amar Ujala is serving the society as well as the organization by providing more effective
services and increasing the advertising volume .The cost of one copy of Amar Ujala
newspaper starting from collecting of news, then editing, after that printing, transporting
to the agencies to hawker and then to final customer i.e. reader comes to be
approximately Rs. 10/- .But due to tough competition any newspaper cannot charge that
much from its customers and without profit any organization cannot run for long. So all
the differences between charged money and cost price plus profit of share holders plus
salary of employees all comes from these advertisements. This department has smoothly
organized sales because it has to maintain contacts with local merchants, dealers,
business firms and service institution as their perspective customers. To accomplish the
above objectives, a team effort is being done under the very effective supervision,
energetic and result oriented sales force has been continuously working to maintain
contacts with different types of perspective and potential advertiser. Equal importance is
given to a big as well as small advertiser. Functions Performed by the Department are

Receiving advertisement from local, nationals and international advertisers either
directly or through some representatives, agencies.
Scheduling of advertisements at different specified space in the newspaper on due
dates.
Issuing bill to the advertisers either directly or through the advertising agencies.
Calculation of commissions and discounts at the time of actual receiving of
payments.
Maintaining the full records of revenue received publication of advertisement and
issuing reminder in case of delays.
45


From the above description we can conclude that this department of Amar
Ujala performs its job inside as well as outside the organization in the market.
Sales Promotion and Marketing Development
Circulation is the backbone of any newspaper industry. Without it the
newspaper will not get advertisements and without advertisements it would be difficult
for any newspaper to survive. To perform its main functions like selling, delivering and
collecting duties effectively, the circulation division is spread across the organizational
units.
Amar Ujala has a strong Sales Planning and Market Development Team
comprising around 300 employees which are present in all main cities/ towns and in
almost all important districts covered by Amar Ujalas editions to ensure timely
deliveries of its newspapers. The circulation is supported by an unparalleled distribution
network of around 4,000 agents, with approximately 30% being exclusive agents.
In some areas, Amar Ujalas Circulation Team directly appoints
salesmen to pass on the Newspapers to Vendors, Hawkers, Book Stalls, etc. Amar Ujala
has an Extensive Transportation Network of contracted private carriers covering more
than 3,500 locations. Commission paid by Amar Ujala to its Channel Partners varies
across from 25%- 35% depending upon the competitive scenario in the region.
Different functions performed by this department are:
Dispatching of newspaper deciding about mode of distribution and transportation.
Finding the cheapest and fastest mode of transportation but must be a reliable and
daily service provider.
Deciding about commission of hawkers and agents.
Evaluation of working of newspapers circulation agencies etc.
This department also has a field force to help in touch with the change
in subscribers habit, taste and requirements.

46





















Figure 7
Amar Ujalas Typical Distribution Channel


Amar Ujalas Circulation
Team
Agents
Salesmen appointed by Amar
Ujala team/ Amar Ujalas
Circulation Team
Cash Sales Points/ Book Stalls Vendors/ Hawkers
Reader
47














Figure 8
Orgnogram of Marketing Department

Editorial Department
All reading material (i.e. news) is assembled in the editorial department.
Approx 900 member strong Editorial Team is supported by a news gathering network
that has more than 250 Districts / Tehsils and Block Offices spanning entire northern
India to enable unsurpassed news reporting and has more than 2,000 affiliated News
stringers churning ground breaking News Stories every day.
For a wider News coverage Amar Ujala is well represented in International
Events of significance by its special correspondents. Editors/Reporters also accompany
National and International delegations for first hand News reporting. It also receives
Managing Director
AVP- SPMD
AVP- SPMD

VP- MEDIA SOLUTIONS
COMMERCIAL

AGM- MIS

AVP- MEDIA SOLUTIONS
(GOVT.)

AVPMS -NATIONAL
(Head of Touch Point as
well)

48


contents from various news bureaus and news wires/news service agencies such
asBhasha, PTI, AFP and Reuters.
Amar Ujalas Editorial news department consists of five sub departments
which are as follows:
News Room
All general news are either prepared or processed in newsroom. It is a
place for writing news by reporters. The international, national and state news is brought
in by wire for editing either by hand or through electronic editing terminal e.g. Cathode
Ray Tube (CRT), Video Display Terminal (VDT), fax System and computers. This room
is a busy place from early in the day until press time, the intensity increases as the
deadline for copy approaches
Copy Desk
Located in the news room but almost a separate division is the copy
desk, where the stories turned in by reporters and checked by the city editor, are
examined by experienced copy editors. These experienced persons eliminate unnecessary
and inappropriate words and phrases, correct spellings and punctuations, check facts,
indicate paragraph and write headlines
Editorial department
It is the section where editor of the editorial pages and the editorial
writers handle the material that goes on the editorial page including feature stories, book
reviews and letters from readers. They write the editorial comments reflecting the
unbiased facts on important issues.
Photo department
Amar Ujala has a good members of photographers who either receive
assignments from the editor or use their own wisdom to take photographs of important
events. This section works closely with the news room.


49


Library Department
Amar Ujala has a very rich library. It is full of old documents, cassettes,
floppies, encyclopedias of different fields, up to date dictionary, reference magazines and
trade journals. The library contains material that is considered dead copy but may be
used again to background or fill out current stories. It also has file of other newspapers,
which are competitors. Besides these are different national and international news
agencies such as UNI, PTI, Bhasha and Varta which transmits news to Amar Ujala. Other
sources of news are local bureau and reporters.













Figure 9
Orgnogram of Editorial Department
Managing Director
Independent Consultant
Executive Editor

Executive Editor
Senior Associate Editor
Associate Editor
50


Editorial Career Path
















Figure 10
Editorial Career Path
EDITOR
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
RESIDENT EDITOR
DEPUTY/ ASSOCIATE
EDITOR
SENIOR NEWS EDITOR
NEWS EDITOR/ SPRECIAL
CORRESPONDANCE
DEPUTY NEWS EDITOR/
PRINCIPLE CORESPONDANCE
CHIEF SUB EDITOR/ CHIEF
REPORTER
TRAINEEE
JUNIOR SUB EDITOR/
JUNIOR REPORTER
SUB EDITOR/ REPORTER
SENIOR SUB
EDITOR/SENIOR REPORTER
A
A
51


Production Department
If production is stopped then there will be no use of purchase, sales and other
departments. Production Department of Amar Ujala is concerned with the production of
newspaper. Amar Ujalas Production Infrastructure consists of 33 Printing Machines
spread across 18 locations in North India.
Amar Ujala expanded its printing capacity, particularly colour capacity,
modernized and upgraded its existing printing centers by
Computer to plate (CTP) printing
Computer to plate (CTP) is an imaging technology used in modern
printing processes. In this technology, an image created in a Desktop Publishing (DTP)
application is output directly to a printing plate.
This compares with the older technology, Computer to film (CTF),
where the computer file is output onto a photographic film. This film is then used to
make a printing plate in a similar manner to a contact proof.
Forklifts and rewinding machines to reduce newsprint waste
A forklift truck (also called a lift truck, a fork truck, or a forklift) is a
powered industrial truck used to lift and move materials short distances. Rewinding
machine is used to wind waste in rolls. These machines help in the reduction and disposal
of newsprint waste.
Heatset machines for printing of glazed supplements and magazines
Heatset printing is the process by which ink is dried by running the
printed paper through an oven immediately after ink is applied by the printing
units.Coated (Glossy) paper such as the paper used in magazines and catalogs always has
to go through a heatset process because it does not absorb ink.


52


Quality Control
To ensure Quality Product to the readers, Amar Ujala has a
comprehensive quality testing lab with machines equipped to check the
GSM of Newsprint (Grammage Per Square Meter)
Brightness and Opacity
Tensile Strength
Fluff Contents
Oil Absorbency







Figure 11
Organogram of Productions Department

Materials Department
Materials department is the department that deals with purchase of raw
materials, shares, machines etc. Newsprints are the main raw material used at Amar
Ujala. Printing inks, plates and chemicals, film, uniforms for staffs, stationary items,
periodicals and books for editorial staff and executives etc. are other materials to be
purchased.

Assistant Vice- President
AGM - Production AGM - Electrical
53


Functions of Materials Department
Purchasing of raw materials
Maintaining record of raw materials purchased.
Receiving and checking the raw materials.
Dealing with the raw materials and purchase payments.
Maintaining appropriate inventory level throughout the process.
Taking appropriate steps in rectifying problems regarding materials.













Figure 12
Organogram of Materials Department

Asst. Vice President
CM Inventories and
stores
Senior Manager -
Procurement

Sr. Manager
Inventory/ stores
Senior Manager -
Procurement

CM Projects and
Procurement
54


Touch Point
TouchPoint is brand activations arm of Amar Ujala. TouchPoint specializes
in conceiving all round and intelligent brand solutions in order to ensure maximum
visibility and penetration of a brand or product. TouchPoint aspires to be the first choice
for all leading brands and support them in maximizing their reach and help them building
& enhancing their brand image. TouchPoint is amongst one of the best media integration
solutions providing company. TouchPoint provides holistic 360degree approach and
solutions to help brand reach their Target Group, understand them & help them making
their brand relevant to the desired Target Group.

TouchPoint caters to Corporate, Regional and Rural marketing set up, with a
clear objective of maximum market reach, better accessibility and availability to
predefined set of Target Group. In over a small period of 2years of its operations,
TouchPoint has the merit of presence in prestigious Limca Book of Records for Amar
Ujala and Chandigarh Police. Amar UjaIa and Chandigarh Police had together organized
Gully Cricket League which attracted highest teams participation, this led the event to
be penned down, in the renowned Limca Book of Records. It also has the privilege of
organizing back to back events with Governor of Punjab & Haryana, Chief Minister of
Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh and more, since its inception.

TouchPoint has also managed to setup a unique distinction of conceptualizing and
executing activities catering to almost all segments. 1. Rupantaran is a platform that
connects with Housewives or young ladies and helps in women empowerment and
emancipation. 2. Campus Konnect created a cord with the youth. 3. Schools Kids
through MedhawiChattraSamman 4. Working professional or businessmen are tapped
with Investors meet 5. Amar UjalaMahachaupal caters to rural masses.

TouchPoint caters to Brands ranging from HUL Pepsodent, Fair & Lovely,
Surf Excel, Ponds, Vaseline, Taaza Tea, Sunsilk, besides other key brands like INTEL,
Kotak Mahindra, Tech Mahindra, Hero MotoCorps, Usha, Everest, Karbonn mobiles,
55


Idea Cellular, Eicher Tractors, JCB, HL Life care, DPS School Aligarh, State Bank of
India, Carrefour, Easy day and many more.

Other Departments
The other departments at Amar Ujala include IT and systems, print shop,
internal audit and books and magazine division. IT and systems department plays a
perfect role in the binding up of all the organization activities within and outside the
company. It creates a harmony of smooth work flow with the maximum speed and
technical perfection with negligible amount mistakes. It is responsible for maintain the
ERP. The vendor of the ERP is Oracle. Print shop is responsible for carrying out the
online shopping business. Internal Audit adds value and improves an organization's
operations. It helps the organization to accomplish its objectives by bringing a systematic,
disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management,
control, and governance processes.Internal auditing is a catalyst for improving an
organization's governance, risk management and management controls by providing
insight and recommendations based on analyses and assessments of data and business
processes. Books and magazine division is for the day to day running of magazines and
books published by Amar Ujala Publications Ltd.

Social Activities

Amar Ujala rolls out readers engagement programme 'Plant a Tree and Save
the Earth'
With an objective to take the Amar Ujala brand closer to readers, Amar Ujala
initiated interaction with its readers. The initiative started with a corporate social
responsibility activity on World Earth Day. The activity was successfully planned and
executed across AU footprints wherein the company asked its readers to "Plant a Tree
and Save the Earth."
56


The initiative was flagged off by Amar Ujala by planting a tree in the name of
the respective city. Tree plantation was supported by a signature campaign wherein in
lakhs of people across AU footprints pledged to save the earth and plant a tree.
Initiative was graced by the presence of Chipko Movement leader & famous
environmentalist Padma Vibhushan Shri SundarlalBahuguna who also planted a tree with
and sang a poem on the occasion. State cabinet Minister Dr. Indira Hridayesh and Harish
Chandra Durgapal were among the other dignitaries.
Apart from tree plantation and signature campaign, readers were requested to
switch off their lights for an hour in the evening on World Earth Day - April 22 and
contribute their bit to Save Our Mother Earth.

Amar Ujala takes a gender equality stand with 'Beti hi Bachayegi'
Gender equality and womens empowerment are two sides of the same coin.
Both have multiple dimensions that together yield a wide variety of indicators.
In order to build the same, Amar Ujala has taken an initiative for the first time
in Uttar Pradesh and in Uttaranchal, called Beti hi Bachayegi, which signifies the need
for recognizing the unlimited possibilities that girls and women bring to the society. The
project revolves around further educating the mass base on gender equality and women
empowerment by bringing together the various segments of the society through various
engagement platforms.

Amar Ujala Foundation First to rehabilitate flood affected victims of
Uttrakhand
Amar Ujala Foundation has achieved a milestone by being the first one to
provide Mid Term Shelters to the flood affected victims of Uttarakhand. AUF has already
completed 55 Mid Term Shelters in its first and second phase, and is now on way to
create 130 more new shelters in the district of Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, and Chamoli.
57


In the disaster affected parts of Uttarakhand, 55 temporary housing shelters
have been created in the first and second phase by Amar Ujala Foundation. Now in the
third phase construction of 130 houses in Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag and Chamoli districts
are being built. That disaster came in June last year, during which the three districts were
most affected.

Rural Development Project
Amar Ujala Foundation has adopted 20 villages in Uttarakhand for the overall
upliftment primarily focusing on water, soil, environment, necessities, education, skill up
gradation and livelihood. Experts from Wadiya Institute for Himalayan Geology, USAC,
FRI and HESCO are also contributing their valuable inputs for the development of these
villages. As of now AUF has started its work in Rampur, Sarkhet, GhantuSera, Silla and
Tacchila village. AUF has started a stitching training for women of these villages and has
given 2-2 sewing machines in some of these villages. Also, good quality seeds for
farming and provision for other necessities is being taken care of by AUF.

Empowering Disability
In collaboration with ManavKalyan Foundation, AUF has been organizing
free artificial limb distribution camps, where physically handicapped patients are
distributed free of cost artificial limbs, along with consultation with the best Doctors of
the city. Not only this, under the same roof, another camp was organized where
government officials from various departments were available for facilitating them with
various concession passes, bank loans, medical certificates etc.

Blood Donation Camp
Amar Ujala Foundation organized a one of a kind blood donation camp at
Kanpur in collaboration with Red Cross Society, where more than 250 people
58


volunteered to donate blood. There were more than 200 people who were willing to, but
couldnt donate their blood due to unexpected turn out of the crowd at the camp. Not only
blood, more than 325 people registered themselves for donating their eyes, organs and
body.
At the same time and venue a parallel health camp for full body health
checkup was also organized, with various on the spot lab facilities, where hundreds of
people were examined and given medications, prescribed by the top Doctors of the city.

SWOT Analysis

A SWOT analysis is a structured planning method used to evaluate the strengths,
weaknesses, opportunities, and threats involved in a project or in a business venture.

Strength
Amar Ujala is distributed across 8 states in India. This includes 17 unit
locations. Another reason for the success of the newspaper is its wide reader base of hindi
reading population. Amar Ujala is known for social awakening, introducing a feeling of
social responsibility, publicly speaking the truth and maintaining the value of the news.
In this regard it won the best election coverage in 2009. It shows that the newspaper is
not politically biased. Authenticity of the news is always maintained.
Weakness
One of the major weakness of Amar Ujala is that it has no adequate
representation in South India. News about information technology, International news,
career and business are limited. Lack of innovation is also linked with the newspaper.
Amar Ujala has been catering to following the same type of audience ever since its
inception. It's high time the newspaper starts to acknowledge the variety of readers.


59


Opportunities
Some methods by which the company can grow include adequate usage of
online e-paper to generate more revenue by promoting ads and other commercial.
Untapped markets in South India can be explored. Well utilization of the existing
resources could help reach more people.
Threat
Within the industry Amar Ujala faces competition from various newspaper
such as DainikJagran, DainikBhaskar, Hindustan and Rajasthan Patrika. These newspaper
have more readership than Amar Ujala. The increase in internet penetration is also a
threat as the readers get access to fast and cheap news. With Indian population switching
towards English as a major means communication they would eventually shift from Hindi
to English.


Figure 13
SWOT Analsis











Chapter Four
Observation and Conclusion








61


Observations
Through the organizational study conducted from 2
nd
May, 2014 to 2
nd
June, 2014
the reasons of the success of Amar Ujala Publications as one of the leading dailies in
India was found out. The major reason as to why the public looks towards Amar Ujala is
due to the value of the news they provide. Over the years the Amar Ujala has been able to
establish itself as the carrier of truth. The newspaper believes in providing authentic news
to the public. Each news item in Amar Ujala is verified properly and printed. Being
politically unbiased the newspaper was able to grab the award for best election coverage
by an Indian newspaper in the year 2009.
The structure of the organization has evolved over the years. It is a result of
structural changes experienced by the company due to various reasons. It is a tall
structure. It has a line and staff structure. It is this structure that has led to the rise of
Amar Ujala as One of the leading newspapers in India.
Another reason for the success of the organization is the attitude of the company
towards its employees. The employees of the company stay with the organization for a
long period of time due to the various benefits that they give their employees. It has
created a we feeling among the employees.
A probable area for the development of the company could be towards the
untapped regions of South and East India where the presence of the company is lacking.







62


Suggestion
Amar Ujala should increase news about new marketing strategies. It should
increase news about Technological developments. The company could give gifts like T-
shirts, begs, caps etc. to thedaily Amar Ujala readers and subscribers to promote its sales.
The newspaper should increase international news so that customers wont move towards
English newspaper. The newspaper can increase news about new scientific inventions. In
the Statutory Supplement i.e. of films a new column could be added that provide
information about top ten Hindi film songs and top ten films. As the modern age is the
age of competition the newspaper can release a new supplement in which the relevant
information regarding employment can be contained for e.g.carriers in Hindustan Times,
Ascent in Times of India.











63


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