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Category: eNews

  • Seasoned business executive Prakash Nathan joins Unique Solutions as Mumbai branch head

    Seasoned business executive Prakash Nathan joins Unique Solutions as Mumbai branch head

    MUMBAI: Prakash Nathan, a seasoned  business strategist with over two decades of experience spanning IT, consulting, and media, has been appointed as the Mumbai branch head and vice-president of sales at Unique Solutions. In this pivotal role, he will spearhead the enterprise sales team, focusing on strategic planning, customer excellence, and revenue growth through cutting-edge IT and security solutions.

    Prior to this, Nathan was the head of commercial business at Wysetek Systems Technologists Pvt Ltd  where he built high-performing teams and drove innovation in cybersecurity, virtualisation, cloud, and open-source practices. His career trajectory includes a successful stint as vice president of enterprise acquisition at Galaxy Office Automation Pvt Ltd,  where he excelled in acquiring major accounts and aligning with large OEMs for transformative IT solutions.

    Notably, Nathan’s illustrious career also spans 15 years in the entertainment industry, where he collaborated with leading production houses like Yashraj Films, Salman Khan Films, and Red Chillies Entertainment in marketing, distribution, and content syndication roles. Amongst the companies he worked for include: Moser Baer, UTV and The Walt Disney Co in Mumbai.  As the founder & director of Cinemarkets Digital Solutions, he brought his expertise to film marketing and digital rights syndication, bridging the worlds of media and technology.

    Nathan’s dedication to leveraging modern and emerging technologies, coupled with his passion for cinema, underscores his vision of driving innovation and creating value for customers, partners, and stakeholders. His multi-industry expertise positions him uniquely to synergise IT and entertainment for mutual growth.

  • Inflexor Ventures strengthens leadership team with two new partner appointments

    Inflexor Ventures strengthens leadership team with two new partner appointments

    MUMBAI: Inflexor Ventures, a Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad-based venture capital firm focused on early-stage technology investments, has announced the promotion of Murali Krishna Gunturu and Harsha Mundhada as partners. These appointments mark a significant step in the firm’s mission to support startups leveraging innovative technology across sectors such as health-tech, fin-tech, deep-tech, edu-tech, clean-tech, consumer-tech, and agri-tech.

    Murali Krishna Gunturu brings over 15 years of diverse experience in investment management, corporate finance, and advisory roles. He has been with Inflexor Ventures for five years, previously serving as principal. Murali’s career spans organizations such as Parampara Capital, Blue Ocean Multi-Client Family Office, and Northway Advisors. A chartered accountant and commerce graduate, Murali has played a pivotal role in scaling growth-stage investments.

    Harsha Mundhada, who has also been with Inflexor Ventures for five years, offers deep expertise in transaction advisory services and financial due diligence. She has held leadership roles at Deloitte, EY, and PwC. A chartered accountant with an all-India rank and a PGPX graduate from IIM Ahmedabad, Harsha has consistently excelled in driving value for portfolio companies and investors.

    With these strategic promotions, Inflexor Ventures reaffirms its commitment to fostering innovation-driven startups and expanding its leadership capabilities in the venture capital ecosystem.

  • Supriya Goswami appointed global head of marketing at Whatfix

    Supriya Goswami appointed global head of marketing at Whatfix

    MUMBAI:  Asterix and Obelix and the Gauls would  have loved her company’s name, considering most of their names ended with an x in the comic book we have all loved for many years.

    Marketing veteran Supriya Goswami with a  track record in driving growth and shaping product strategies, has been elevated as  global head of marketing at Whatfix, a company that’s based in San Francisco, Bay Area and has a unique digital adoption platform.

    With over 20 years of experience spanning marketing, product leadership, and HR, Goswami is poised to lead Whatfix’s global marketing efforts and drive its continued success in the B2B SaaS space. Goswami’s career spans diverse industries, from SaaS to HR consulting, where she consistently demonstrated her ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive success in high-growth environments. Her leadership philosophy is rooted in strategic collaboration, innovation, and hands-on execution.

    Goswami joined Whatfix in 2020 as head of product marketing, where she has been instrumental in scaling the company. Known for her expertise in GTM strategies, product marketing, competitive intelligence, and brand building, she has built and led high-performing teams while driving collaboration with sales and product leadership to maximise revenue opportunities.

    In her expanded role as global head of marketing, Goswami will continue to leverage her deep expertise in areas such as value engineering, customer marketing, pricing and packaging, sales enablement, and analyst relations to accelerate growth and enhance the Whatfix brand on a global scale.

    Before joining Whatfix, Goswami held several leadership roles that cemented her reputation as a strategic thinker and marketing innovator:

    * InMobi (2015–2020): As VP & global head of marketing, Goswami led a global marketing team, developed product marketing strategies, and enhanced brand awareness. She also served as head of marketing for North America and marketing director for APAC, the Middle East, and India, contributing significantly to InMobi’s market growth.
    * Adobe Systems (2010–2013): Managed HR for a 1,000-member technology organization, overseeing talent development and performance management.
    * Aon (2005–2010): Led talent and organization consulting projects across Asia and the Middle East, managing key accounts and driving growth in leadership consulting.

  • Stage OTT unveils Rohidi Music Festival, honouring Rajasthan’s musical legacy

    Stage OTT unveils Rohidi Music Festival, honouring Rajasthan’s musical legacy

    MUMBAI: Against the golden backdrop of Rajasthan’s sprawling sand dunes, a symphony of melodies is set to echo across the Sheo region of Barmer.

    The Rohidi Music Festival, a dazzling homage to Rajasthan’s rich musical traditions, promises to be a sensory spectacle unlike any other. Slated for 12 January 2025, the festival unfolds amidst the desert’s mystic allure, blending the soul of folk music with the vibrant spirit of National Youth Day.

    As the setting sun casts its amber glow, the timeless tunes of Rajasthan will weave a story of culture, heritage, and harmony, celebrating Swami Vivekananda’s enduring legacy.

    The festival assembles over 350 Manganiyar artists, globally revered for preserving Rajasthan’s folklore and traditions through electrifying performances. Armed with powerful vocals and traditional instruments such as the khartal and dholak, these artists—renowned for appearances on platforms like Coke Studio—will mesmerise audiences with their soulful rhythms.

    Speaking about the initiative, Stage OTT CEO & co-founder, Vinay Singhal remarked, “The Rohidi Music Festival is our tribute to Rajasthan’s timeless musical legacy. Through this initiative, we aim to bring the Manganiyars’ artistry to a larger audience while fostering a deeper appreciation for traditional art forms. Visitors can look forward to an immersive cultural experience, complete with mesmerising performances and the majestic beauty of Barmer’s desert landscape.”

    Beyond its musical allure, the festival seeks to uplift Rajasthan’s border communities. By showcasing local talent, generating employment opportunities, and fostering cultural pride, it contributes to the social and economic development of the region. This initiative not only preserves art but also serves as a movement to rejuvenate and empower the area’s communities.

    Festival details

    . Date: January 12, 2025

     . Time: 2:00 PM onwards

     . Venue: Rohidi, Gadra, Sheo (Barmer District), Rajasthan

    Mark your calendars for this extraordinary journey into Rajasthan’s heritage, hospitality, and artistry. The Rohidi Music Festival offers a rare opportunity to celebrate the living history of the Manganiyars and embrace the unmatched beauty of Rajasthan’s cultural tapestry.

     

  • Shradha Sharma’s YourStory Media ropes in former Microsoft ace Sangeeta Bavi as COO

    Shradha Sharma’s YourStory Media ropes in former Microsoft ace Sangeeta Bavi as COO

    MUMBAI: This is indeed a big catch. Digital influencer and YourStory Media founder & CEO Shradha Sharma has hired former Microsoft executive director, digital natives  Sangeeta Bavi as the company’s chief operating officer (COO).

    As COO, Shradha shared on linkedin, Sangeeta will oversee the end-to-end business, drive revenue growth and overall operations as the company prepares for its next phase of expansion.

    “With two and a half decades of experience across global giants like Microsoft and Nokia, Sangeeta has loads of expertise in building high-impact teams and driving scale. In her decade of experience at Microsoft, she spearheaded the digital natives vertical, building it from the ground up and establishing it as a leading growth engine for engaging India’s top digital-scale startups.  Her leadership was instrumental in scaling the vertical into a trusted ecosystem partner for startups and a valued business vertical at Microsoft,” Shradha shared. 
    “Sangeeta has also been a mentor to several startups, and has played an active volunteer role in Saasboomi community.”

    A B. Tech in computer science and an MBA from IIM Bangalore, Sangeeta began her career at Wipro Technologies as a senior design engineer where she worked for three years. She was then picked up by  Nokia to work in the capacity  of senior software engineer at Tampere in Finland where she  did some cutting edge development work for the mobile maker.

    That done, Sangeeta then whizzed back to India and continued with the Finnish company for a decade and a half being exposed to various functions like leading teams, doing R&D, managing strategic projects, managing products and when she exited Nokia for Microsoft India  she was designated as head developer outreach.

    At Microsoft India, Sangeeta began as a product marketing manager in 2014 and moved into the company’s India president’s office as chief of staff and busines manager. From there, she was given the responsibility of working with startups at their early stages as director of Microsoft Indias start up business. Leadership of the digital natives vertical followed.

    Shradha is cock-a-hoop with delight at Sangeeta’s coming on board as YourStory Media COO. Said Shraddha: “For any entrepreneur, their journey gets strengthened when a leader comes along the way, sees the vision and commits to be with you to scale and transform the dream you’ve built and lived.. And I am grateful to have someone as brilliant as Sangeeta Bavi join me on this journey of YourStory.”

  • Apple’s Tim Cook’s handpicked CFO Kevan Parekh takes office

    Apple’s Tim Cook’s handpicked CFO Kevan Parekh takes office

    MUMBAI: Is 12 a lucky number?

    Some may question the logic, saying there’s no such thing as luck. 

    But a dozen years proved extremely good for Kevan Parekh, who was handpicked by Apple CEO Tim Cook to become the CFO of Apple during his twelfth year with the company. Just as the clock hit the 12 midnight mark in New York on 31 December and the ball was beginning to drop in Times Square, Kevan’s term as the CFO commenced.

    Kevan, an Indian origin executive, joined Apple in June 2013 and has played a key role in its financial and business planning, and product development planning since then. Prior to becoming CFO, he served as Apple’s vice president of financial planning and analysis. Before that, he served as Apple’s vice president of worldwide finance, supporting a number of different functions throughout his tenure, including engineering, iTunes, marketing, retail, and sales.

    His pay package is speculated to be  $1 million a year, plus participation in the company’s executive cash incentive plan for fiscal 2025.

    Kevan, succeeds Luca Maestri, who was appointed  CFO in 2014, and he will be reporting directly to Cook. As CFO, Kevan will be overseeing Apple’s accounting, business support, financial planning and analysis, treasury, investor relations, internal audit, and tax functions.

    Maestri on his part continues to be part of Apple overseeing its corporate services teams. His responsibilities will include managing information systems and technology, cybersecurity, and real estate and development.

    Before joining Apple, Kevan worked for eight years with General Motors in New York and then Europe. He returned to New York to join Thomson Reuters and stayed put as vice-president of finance (professional division) and then as corporate treasurer till 2013. 

    Kevan has a solid academic background and holds a bachelor science degree in electrical engineering, and an MBA from the University of Chicago which he  completed in 2000 with a major in finance and strategic management.  

  • Wipro elevates Ranjita Ghosh to global chief marketing officer

    Wipro elevates Ranjita Ghosh to global chief marketing officer

    MUMBAI: It’s an oh my gosh moment for Wipro chief marketing officer Asia Pacific, middle east & Africa (Apmea) Ranjita Ghosh. She has just been elevated as global chief marketing officer of the multi-billion dollar IT firm, a position that becomes effective 1 February 2025.

    Ranjita  replaces current gobal CMO Laura Langdon who is scheduled to leave to explore other opportunities outside Wipro, said a company press release.

    Ranjita’s immediate reporting superior will be Wipro chief strategist & technology officer Hari Shetty. Her remit will now cover all marketing activities across the world.

    Ranjita has been with Wipro for nearly 20 years. She joined the company after completing her MBA in marketing and operations in 2005 from Goa Institute of Management and  has risen from a business development and pre-sales consultant, utilities industry role to her current position. 

    Over the nearly 20 years at Wipro, Ranjita has held various roles in sales, business development, growth marketing, buyer experience, and ecosystem partnerships. Additionally, she has managed marketing for several high-value portfolios and led teams across north America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.

    Despite her busy schedule Ranjita  finds the time to teach and being a guest faculty, competitive intelligence at the Institute of Competitive Intelligence in Germany and has being do so for the past five years. Additionally, Ranjita is a Fellow at The Marketing Academy’s 2023 APAC Fellowship Program for chief marketing officers, sponsored by Salesforce and supported by McKinsey & Co. She is amongst a cohort of 21 business CMOs and growth leaders selected for the 2023-2024 merit based fellowship.

  • Rohan Nayak’s Pocket FM makes audio series a mainstream hit in 2024

    Rohan Nayak’s Pocket FM makes audio series a mainstream hit in 2024

    MUMBAI: As 2024 draws to a close, the world of audio storytelling has a clear hero: Pocket FM.

    In a year brimming with innovation and riveting narratives, the platform soared to unimaginable heights, turning listeners’ love for immersive tales into a record-breaking Rs 1,051.97 crore in revenue.

    Listeners didn’t just tune in—they built an empire of stories, one stream at a time.

    From thrilling mysteries to heartwarming romances, Pocket FM didn’t just entertain—it transformed how the world experiences audio. With over 100 billion minutes streamed and 45 million microtransactions logged, the platform became the beating heart of a global community united by their love for storytelling.

    If 2024 was a chapter, it was one filled with blockbuster growth, listener passion, and the unmistakable sound of success.

    And as Pocket FM inches closer to profitability, one thing is clear: this isn’t the end of the story—it’s just the beginning of a gripping new era in entertainment.

    In 2024, Pocket FM saw listeners stream over 100 billion minutes of content globally, completing more than 45 million transactions. With 54 per cent Gen Z, 37 per cent Millennials, and 5 per cent Gen X, the platform captivated a young and diverse audience. Its near-balanced gender demographic—53 per cent male and 47 per cent female—highlighted the platform’s broad appeal.

    AI-powered innovation drove this unprecedented growth. Pocket FM expanded its content library by 36X with AI-generated series, while human-narrated series increased 2X, ensuring quality and variety for its listeners. Financially, over seven audio series crossed $10 million in revenue, marking a 600 per cent growth from 2023, while 35 audio series achieved million-dollar milestones—three times more than the previous year.

    Romance and Drama dominated globally, followed by Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Horror, and Thriller, captivating audiences in India and the US.

    The platform also reshaped listening habits, with 200,000 users spending over 3 hours daily, and 10,000 users listening for more than 3,000 hours annually. Morning and commute hours (5-11 AM) accounted for 30 per cent of daily consumption, while late-night listening (11 PM-5 AM) surged to 22.9 per cent, reflecting a shift from traditional TV to audio series during leisure hours.

    India emerged as a key market, with cities like Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad leading in listener engagement. Popular audio series captured the imagination of millions:

    .  Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh: Played 100 million times

    .   Secret Ameerzaada: Played 85 million times

    .   Insta Millionaire: Played 60 million times

    .  Insta Empire: Played 50 million times

    .   Super Yoddha: Played 42 million times

    Pocket FM CEO & co-founder, Rohan Nayak highlighted the platform’s impact, “In 2024, we didn’t just grow; we redefined the very nature of entertainment by establishing audio series as a mainstream entertainment. Audio series, as a category, is no longer a niche—they are the next evolution of global entertainment. This year’s achievements are a testament to the immense potential of this category and our commitment to leading its growth.”

    Through its blend of human creativity and AI innovation, Pocket FM built a scalable, cross-cultural content ecosystem that has revolutionised how audiences consume stories.

     

  • Google ropes in Preeti Lobana as country manager India

    Google ropes in Preeti Lobana as country manager India

    MUMBAI: There’s a new country manager who’s come on board at Google India. Google president Asia Pacific Sanjay Gupta announced that Preeti Lobana is joining the company as country & vice-president for India.

    Said he: “Her leadership and passion for customer-centricity has fueled impactful solutions for businesses across industries empowering millions of businesses to thrive in the digital age. Preeti’s leadership will be instrumental as we deepen our engagement with India’s unique ecosystem, leveraging AI advancements like Gemini to accelerate digital inclusion and unlock unprecedented economic opportunities for every Indian. I am confident that her deep market expertise will guide us in shaping a future where technology truly benefits all.”

    “In her new role, Preeti will partner deeply with Roma Datta Chobey, who led as the interim country manager and will continue her exceptional leadership as managing director for Google India’s digital native Industries. Roma’s expertise across diverse sectors, from e-commerce and fintech to gaming and media, will be invaluable as we accelerate innovation and growth for these dynamic businesses.”

    An MBA from IIM Ahmedabad, Preeti  worked mainly in the financial services sector in the early part of her career before she joined Google in 2016 as director APAC customer experience.  Over the next eight years she explored roles such as senior director ads customer care and vice-president publishers, partners, ads content team g Tech. And now she is the country manager and vice-president Google India.

    Her financial services exposure began with ANZ Grindlays Bank  for 10 years where she went on to head the personal loans department. Then as head of banking services at Standard Chartered Bank. She followed that up with a close to 10 year stint at American Express where she headed global services. She then moved on to Natwest group as managing director and head global financial services India where she stayed for four years.   

     

  • Tips Music & Sterling Reserve reimagine Indian classics with Tips Take 2

    Tips Music & Sterling Reserve reimagine Indian classics with Tips Take 2

    Mumbai: Tips Music and Sterling Reserve Music Project are coming together  for a project labelled  Tips Take 2. As per the press release issued by the two,  the collaboration aims to reimagine Bollywood’s iconic classics, delivering a fresh and captivating experience for music enthusiasts.

    Tips Music Ltd CEO Hari Nair said, “We are delighted to partner with Sterling Reserve to launch our first music IP Tips Take 2, which reimagines iconic nineties hits and creates a new take on our catalogue. The recently launched brand and partnerships division has ideated and worked on this exclusive IP. They also work with brands for bespoke content, in-film placements, music video brand integrations, and licensing our musical hits for their advertisement campaigns. We look forward to collaborating with brands, to redefine audience engagement through innovative, tailored entertainment solutions across both music and films. Tips Take 2 is just the beginning of our journey into branded IPs, with many more exciting projects on the horizon.”

    The project launched with the first song, Sambhala Hai Maine, on 9  December which is available on most music platforms. At the heart of this musical reinvention is Dev Negi the powerhouse voice behind the chart-topping hit  Heart Throb from Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, takes centre stage. Joining him, on screen, are the stunning Heli Daruwala and the charismatic Parth Samthaan, who bring some serious heat with their electrifying chemistry. Together, they put a bold, modern spin on the nineties  classic Sambhala Hai Maine – originally sung by Kumar Sanu.

    Allied Blenders & Distillers chief innovation &  strategy officer Bikram Basu shared, “Launched as a digital-first property with a mix of emerging and established artists, and now in its sixth year, the Sterling Reserve Music Project is collaborating with Tips Music to reimagine timeless Bollywood hits from the nineties in a new way. The Sterling Reserve Music Project Take 2 with Tips will have people cheering for sure.”

    The project stands as a testament to the evolving landscape of Indian music, offering three carefully selected song recreations that promise to captivate audiences.