Vadim Takmenev Russian TV journalist Date of Birth: 14.11.1974 Country: Russia

1. Biography of Vadim Takmenov
2. Early Interest in Journalism
3. Choosing Journalism over Medicine
4. Television Career

Biography of Vadim Takmenov

Vadim Anatolievich Takmenov, a Russian television journalist, was recognized as the best host of Russian television news programs in 2014. Born on November 14, 1974, in Anzhero-Sudzhensk, a city far from the capital, Vadim grew up in Kemerovo Oblast. His parents had no connection to journalism, with his father working as a builder and his mother running a daycare center.

Early Interest in Journalism

Vadim developed a passion for watching television, particularly the news program "Vremya." He enjoyed the reports from the scene, interviews, and stories from the correspondents. Although there was no television studio in Anzhero-Sudzhensk where Vadim could try his skills, the city had a local newspaper called "Borba za Ugol" (translated as "The Struggle for Coal" and currently known as "Nash Gorod"). As a sixth-grader, Vadim approached the newspaper's editorial office and surprised the staff with his desire to write. After negotiations, his first article, titled "We're Going to the Circus," was published, and Vadim saw his name in print for the first time.

Choosing Journalism over Medicine

While Vadim showed interest in medicine due to his aunt being a surgeon, he ultimately decided to pursue journalism. He often visited his aunt's clinic and avidly read medical literature. Despite his knowledge of sanitation and hygiene, Vadim's ability to assess a classmate's appearance allowed him to identify the onset of hepatitis and promptly call a doctor. After completing high school, Vadim enrolled in the journalism faculty at Kemerovo State University. Alongside his studies, he participated in various student activities and became a regular visitor to the student theater "Lozha," led by renowned playwright and then-philology student Yevgeny Grishkovets. It was through this theater that Vadim met his future wife Elena, who was also studying philology. They have since been together and have two daughters, Agata and Polina.

Television Career

Before completing his degree, Vadim started reporting for radio and television and became the author and host of the news block on OTRK "Kuzbass." By the time he graduated in 1996, Vadim already had enough experience to join the Siberian branch of NTV. In 1997, he was transferred to Rostov-on-Don, where he became the head of the Southern Russian branch of NTV. Although this appointment could be seen as a promotion, it was a period of intense work for Vadim. The Southern Russian bureau produced 300 stories per year, and correspondents often traveled multiple times a week. In 2001, after a change in ownership at NTV, Vadim and a group of colleagues moved to TV-6. He worked as a special correspondent for TVS in Germany and produced reports for programs like "Itogi" and "Seychas."

In the summer of 2003, Vadim returned to NTV after the closure of TVS and received a personal invitation from Leonid Parfyonov to work on his popular program "Namedni." In the fall of 2004, after the end of "Namedni," Vadim joined the team working on the program "Profession: Reporter." This program served as the second version of Leonid Parfyonov's project with the same name and featured thirty-minute films of an informative and entertaining nature. Vadim's early film titled "Mercy Welcome" focused on real prisoners awaiting pardon and showcased his professionalism and high moral standards, earning him the "Symbol of Freedom" award. Other notable films by Vadim include "Electric Shock" about an accident in the capital's electric grid, "Black September" about the Beslan tragedy, "The Secret Life of the Pope," and "I'm Leaving," dedicated to the death of Boris Yeltsin.

In 2005, Vadim Takmenov received the TEFI Award for Best Reporter. Although he repeatedly stated that he was not made for the entertainment genre, in February 2007, he became a participant in the program "The Main Hero" and a regular author of the segment "Great Musical Adventure." This segment involved reporting on a particular artist or musical group, culminating in a previously unperformed concert performance. From the same year, Vadim collaborated with the program "Superstar," creating short films about the featured stars that were shown before their performances. He also co-hosted the program with singer Lolita. In addition to his work in the entertainment genre, Vadim hosted a live broadcast with Alla Pugacheva and Maxim Galkin on NTV in April 2012. Alongside these projects, the renowned journalist and television host became the author of a new program called "Central Television," which began airing in 2013. The program featured reports on the most significant and interesting events of the past week, interviews with political leaders and other notable individuals. "Central Television" was hailed as the best Sunday show, rivaling Parfyonov's "Namedni." In 2014, Vadim Takmenov was honored with the TEFI Award for Best Television Host.

Since the fall of 2014, Vadim has started a new project on NTV called "Anatomy of the Day," an evening news show that covers various topics such as politics, economics, natural phenomena, and new trends. The show airs live for different time zones.