Alexander Tkachenko Ukrainian politician and media manager, producer, journalist, TV presenter Date of Birth: 22.01.1966 Country: Ukraine

1. Early Life and Education
2. Media Management
3. Production and Journalism
4. Media Reform and Political Career
5. Personal Life

Early Life and Education

Alexander Tkachenko was born in Kyiv, Ukraine, on October 11, 1965. He graduated from the Faculty of Journalism at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv in 1990. In 2016, he earned a diploma from Harvard Business School's Business of Entertainment, Media, and Sports program. He furthered his education at INSEAD Business School in Singapore, completing the Value Creation for Owners and Directors program in 2018.

Media Management

Tkachenko's media career began in 1993 when he became the president of Novan Mova, a production company that produced television programs for UT-1 and Inter. In December 1996, he joined Studio 1+1 and created the Televizyina Sluzhba Novyny (TSN), which became one of Ukraine's most popular news programs. He also held the position of deputy general producer of Channel 1+1.

In April 1999, Tkachenko became head of Novyi Kanal, where he led the channel to become a market leader by reformatting its news program, Reportyor. In 2003, he became the informal leader of the "Pinchuk Holding," which included Novyi Kanal, ICTV, and STB. He resigned from this position in August 2004 and left Novyi Kanal in January 2005.

From 2005 to 2008, Tkachenko worked as chairman of the board and shareholder of Odesa Film Studio. He also focused on the development of a cinema chain and film distribution. In March 2008, he joined REN-TV in Moscow as deputy general director, responsible for programming.

Tkachenko returned to 1+1 Media Group in August 2008 as its general director. He led the group to become one of Ukraine's largest media companies, owning a portfolio of television channels, a sales house, and a production company. Under his leadership, 1+1 Media Group also became known for its socially responsible initiatives, including the publication of Ukraine's first corporate social responsibility report by a media company in 2017.

Production and Journalism

Tkachenko has produced several acclaimed films, including "Song of Songs," "House with a Turret," "Vysotsky. Thank You for Being Alive," and "Near the River." He has also produced numerous popular television series, such as "The Milkmaid from Khatsapetovka," "Tomorrow Will Be Tomorrow," and "The Sky in Polka Dots."

From 1988 to 1991, Tkachenko worked as an editor and host of the youth television program "Hort" on UT-1. From 1991 to 1994, he was a correspondent for Reuters in Kyiv. In 1994, he created and hosted the weekly news and analytical program "Aftermath" on Channel 1+1.

During the 2004 presidential elections, Tkachenko moderated televised debates between Viktor Yushchenko and Viktor Yanukovych. He also hosted the TV show "Tkachenko.UA" on Channel 1+1 from 2011 to 2014.

Media Reform and Political Career

Tkachenko is a strong advocate for media reform in Ukraine. He is one of the founders of the country's Public Broadcasting System and was instrumental in the development of a concept for Ukrainian Public Television.

In the 2019 parliamentary elections, Tkachenko was elected to the Verkhovna Rada on the Servant of the People party list. He led the party's campaign in Kyiv, where 13 candidates from the party won majority constituencies. Tkachenko became the head of the Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy.

On June 4, 2020, Tkachenko was appointed Minister of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine. He resigned from this position in July 2023.

Personal Life

Tkachenko has been married twice. His first wife, Tatiana Gnedash, is a producer and screenwriter. His second wife, Anna Tkachenko (Barannik), is the HR director of 1+1. Tkachenko has two children, a daughter, Oleksandra, and a son, Danylo.