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Oleg KharukTelevision producer
Date of Birth: 29.06.1969
Country:  Ukraine |
Content:
- Television Producer and Entrepreneur
- Education and Early Career
- Television Production
- LEOMAX Group
- Multi-Channel Retail
- Sports Career
- Finisher of the Ironman 70.3 Mallorca (2015, Spain)
- Awards and Honors
Television Producer and Entrepreneur
Alexey Kharukis a distinguished television producer and entrepreneur who has made significant contributions to the Russian media landscape. In recognition of his success, he was named the Entrepreneur of the Year in Russia for Retailin 2016.
Education and Early Career
Kharuk's journey began with a degree in mechanical engineering from the Moscow State Mining University in 1993. He then pursued his passion for media by attending the Trebas Institute in Toronto, Canada, where he graduated in 1999 with a degree in film and television production.
Television Production
Kharuk's first significant experience in television production came at ATN (Canada), where he rose through the ranks from cameraman to director and eventually producer. In January 2001, he organized a 24-hour telethon to support victims of the Gujarat earthquake in India, which featured prominent Canadian artists and politicians, including Prime Minister Jean Chrétien.
In 2003-2005, Kharuk partnered with Lyuba Chernykh, former head of NTV Canada, to establish the broadcast of NTV Mir in Canada. As the General Producer of NTV Canada, he oversaw the production of original content as well as the retransmission of NTV Mir's programming.
LEOMAX Group
In 2009, Kharuk founded RTVN Corp (Canada, Toronto) to organize tours, concerts, and theatrical performances for Russian artists in Canada. RTVN also produced a weekly infotainment program, "Utro" (Morning), which aired on national TV in Canada.
Upon returning to Moscow in 2006, Kharuk aimed to establish an informative city channel similar to the popular City Pulse 24 in Toronto. By decree of the Moscow Mayor, the news channel "Puls Goroda" was launched with Kharuk as its leader. However, due to insufficient funding, the project was discontinued.
In 2009, Kharuk set out to create a Russian television channel targeted at women, modeled after the American QVC. The concept utilized a teleshopping format, featuring hosts and experts demonstrating products for home, clothing, and footwear. Orders could be placed by phone and delivered by mail or courier. Due to the economic crisis, attracting investment became challenging, leading to the decision to launch the channel with pre-recorded commercials. In December 2009, the teleshopping channel TTC (Televizionnaya Torgovaya Set) began broadcasting throughout Russia.
The concept proved popular, and a second channel, Domashniy Magazin (Home Store), was launched in June 2010. To enhance its appeal, a sitcom called "Nash Domashniy Magazin" (Our Home Store) was created in collaboration with Comedy Club resident Vadim Galygin. The 60-episode comedic drama series aired on the Domashniy channel from 2010-13 and achieved higher ratings than the channel's average at the time.
In September 2011, fulfilling his original plan, Kharuk launched the entertainment channel Stil i Moda (Style and Fashion). From 2011 to 2014, the renowned fashion designer Valentin Yudashkin served as the channel's editor-in-chief. In October 2014, the channel was rebranded as SHOP24. The channel features 15 hours of live broadcasting daily, showcasing new products every 5 minutes.
Stil i Moda's success was recognized with several awards, including the "Viewer's Choice" prize for "Best Teleshop" at the 2012 Big Digit National Award and the 2012 Golden Ray National Award in the same category.
Multi-Channel Retail
In 2009, Kharuk teamed up with Evgeny Vorvanin, CEO of the LEOMAX Group, to establish one of Russia's largest multi-channel retail ventures, specializing in clothing, footwear, and products for kitchen, home, beauty, and health. LEOMAX currently employs over 1500 individuals. Five television studios broadcast live around the clock, seven days a week. Over 800 call center operators in the cities of Saratov and Penza handle up to 20,000 calls daily. A logistics center in Domodedovo processes 10,000 orders per day. LEOMAX's annual catalog reaches 5 million households, and its database of regular customers exceeds 3.5 million. Total order value amounts to 10 billion rubles per year.
The three television channels of the LEOMAX Group reach 60 million households (a potential audience of 180 million people), and its broadcasting covers all of Russia via five orbital satellites. As of 2016, LEOMAX is the leader in television retailing in Russia. The LEOMAX brand ranks 6th (5th in 2015) among the most advertised brands on Russian television (according to TNS data for the first 6 months of 2016).
In 2013, One Equity Partners, a division of US bank JP Morgan, offered to purchase 51% of the LEOMAX Group's shares, valuing the entire holding at $280 million. However, this offer was declined by Kharuk. LEOMAX is a member of the international Electronic Retailing Association (ERA).
Sports Career
Master of Sports candidate in swimmingWinner of the 12-hour Gulf 12 Hours GT4 class (2018, Abu Dhabi)
Winner of the 4-hour Baltic Endurance Championship GT4 class (2017)
9th place in the Russian Championship for Touring Cars GT4 class (2016)
Finisher of the Ironman 70.3 Mallorca (2015, Spain)
Charity WorkIn 2012, Kharuk established the International Charitable Foundation for Preserving the Memory of Saint Nicholas. The foundation's efforts have included:
Financing the restoration of the Temple of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker in the village of Rusinovo, Kaluga region (2013)
Funding the operation of Moscow's first shelter for the homeless (2014), providing shelter, food, and medical assistance to 50-80 homeless individuals daily throughout the winter
Sponsoring the "Hope" road trip organized by the Synodal Department of the Russian Orthodox Church (2014), providing distribution points for clothing, footwear, medicine, and food for the homeless in 10 Russian cities
Awards and Honors
Entrepreneur of the Year in Russia for Retail (2016)Order of Saint Stanislav, Third Degree (2016)
Personal Life
Alexey Kharuk is married and has three children.
