Martin D’Souza worked with The Times of India for 13 years. His last year was as Editor of four publications – Rouge, Time ‘N Style, Just Jewellery and Viva Voyage.
As soon as Martin took over Time N Style (an international luxury magazine), he implemented smart changes that had the international watch world talking about it in glowing terms. The final issue edited by Martin was a mega 150-pager dedicated to Baselworld 2006 and Geneva. This was something that was never done before in the five years of the magazine’s existence.
Dealing with women’s issues, Rouge was a challenge. From a fortnightly he turned the fortunes of the glossy to make it into a weekly.
Just Jewellery was conceptualized to cater to the jewellery fraternity of the country.
Viva Voyage, a travel supplement along with The Economic Times was a market driven venture featuring various holiday destinations.
THE BEGINNING…
Martin started his career at a very young age of 19, with The Free Press Journal, in 1987, as a sports journalist. It was to be the place where he would be firmly grounded in the principles of journalism and move onto to bigger achievements in the print media.
In 1989, Martin joined the now defunct The Indian Post. The Times of India beckoned in 1993, as The Independent took shape. However, a year later was born Bombay Times, a supplement that would change the way people looked at news in the city. He was with this paper from day one. Till the time he was asked to take over as Editor of the above-mentioned publications.
THERE HAVE BEEN MANY FIRSTS TO HIS CREDIT…
• Martin was the first to set the ball rolling for the spate of supplements that were to follow in the Times Group. In 1998, when Australia, under the captaincy of Mark Taylor visited India, he brought out a supplement, Howzatt, which was an instant hit.
• The same year he also introduced a column, Model Talk, in West Side Plus.
• When Page 3 became monotonous with the same people being featured at different parties, Martin introduced the ‘Babe Quotient’ which today has firmly perched itself on the first page of every newspaper.
BOOK RELEASES
On December 19, 2006, Martin D’Souza launched his first book FWD: Stories From Your Inbox. Published by Tej Prasarini, the book is a compilation of forwards received by Martin over a period of five years.
If you are one of those who have deleted a Fwd: silently cursing under your breath, this one’s definitely for you then. A second chance for an interesting read of stories that probably once lay in your inbox! Compiled in this book are stories that will move you, enlighten you and even tickle your funny bone. Some will even leave you teary-eyed.
Rev Ivo Coelho, SDB (Provincial, Salesians of Don Bosco, Mumbai Province), along with Actor Yana Gupta released the book at the Don Bosco School Auditorium.
On July 24, 2012, Fr. Edwin D’Souza, sdb, Rector of the Shrine of Don Bosco’s Madonna, released Martin’s second book, Letting Go: The Healing Power Of Grieving.
The book was released during the Eucharistic celebration. Published by Tej-Prasarini, Don Bosco Communications, the book deals on how to handle the loss of a loved one.
Grief at the loss of a loved one is sometimes tormenting. The mind is always clouded with questions and the heart heavy with pain. This is especially so if the death has been sudden. Of course, those who have lost loved ones after a prolonged illness will attest that they have had time enough to prepare for the passing and that death, though painful was easier to accept.