ITV

Category: Media and Advertising

  • Tata Consumer brews a change as Sharat Verma takes the top role

    Tata Consumer brews a change as Sharat Verma takes the top role

    MUMBAI: The kettle’s whistling at Tata Consumer Products and this time, it’s not just the tea. The company has announced a leadership shake-up, with veteran marketer Sharat Verma set to take over as president of packaged beverages ford India & South Asia (including Organic India) from 1 December 2025.

    Verma, who moves from Procter & Gamble, brings over two decades of brand-building prowess, having helmed iconic names like Ariel, Tide, Gillette, Oral-B, and Olay across India, ASEAN, China, and the Middle East. At P&G, he led the 0.5 billion dollars Fabric Care business, clocking a 15 per cent CAGR in one of the most competitive categories. His “Share The Load” campaign remains a landmark in cause-driven brand storytelling, marrying social commentary with sales success.

    The appointment follows the resignation of Puneet Das, who exits after eight years at Tata Consumer to pursue new opportunities. Das, who played a pivotal role in the packaged beverages portfolio, leaves behind a strong growth legacy. His departure is effective 3 November 2025.

    Another notable exit is Soulfull business president Prashant Parameswaran who steps down on 15 December 2025 for personal reasons. Parameswaran, the driving force behind the Tata Soulfull brand, is credited with positioning the homegrown breakfast brand as a challenger in India’s healthy foods segment.

    With Verma’s appointment, Tata Consumer is signalling a renewed focus on consumer-led innovation and storytelling that resonates across Bharat and beyond. The move also reflects a broader trend of FMCG majors courting talent with both local insight and global polish.

    In a statement, Tata Consumer Products ltd. said the leadership changes form part of its ongoing transformation to strengthen its core businesses and unlock growth across markets.

    For Tata Consumer the company that put the world’s most loved chai on millions of tables this is more than a handover. It’s a fresh blend of strategy and storytelling, brewed perfectly for its next growth chapter.
     

  • Ritesh Gupta takes charge of ad sales at OLX India

    Ritesh Gupta takes charge of ad sales at OLX India

    MUMBAI: After nearly two decades of steering digital revenue growth across India’s top media and auto-tech brands, Ritesh Gupta has taken on a new challenge as head of ad sales (direct) and partnerships at OLX India.

    At CarDekho, where he spent over seven years, Gupta was instrumental in scaling the new auto business to contribute over 20 per cent of company revenue. He also built strong alliances with top automotive brands such as Toyota, Hero, Hyundai, TVS, Honda Cars, and Ather, while spearheading digital innovations like AI voice bots, AR/VR tools, and chatbots to enhance engagement.

    His diverse career spans leadership roles at The Indian Express, ABP Group, Connecting Dots Asia, Hindustan Times, Nielsen Digital, Business Standard, and The Times of India, where he honed his expertise in digital transformation, strategic partnerships, and sales excellence.

    In his new role at OLX India, Gupta will focus on strengthening the company’s advertising ecosystem through direct brand collaborations, strategic alliances, and innovative monetisation models.

    With his rich cross-industry experience and a flair for innovation, Gupta’s appointment marks a strong step forward in OLX India’s mission to accelerate growth in the evolving ad and partnerships landscape.

     

  • Pratiman joins Bosch to power global growth

    Pratiman joins Bosch to power global growth

    MUMBAI: After over a decade of driving growth for some of the world’s biggest brands, Pratiman is now steering into a new chapter as senior growth & demand marketing manager at Bosch, based in Stuttgart, Germany.

    In his new role, he will lead global growth and demand marketing for Bosch Software & Digital Solutions, focusing on account-based marketing, campaign strategy, pipeline acceleration, and customer engagement across markets.

    Pratiman’s career is a masterclass in modern marketing. Before joining Bosch, he served as CRM marketing lead at Hellmann Worldwide Logistics, where he drove global CRM transformation through Microsoft Dynamics 365, aligning marketing, sales, and IT to enhance customer journeys and operational efficiency.

    Previously, at SAP LeanIX, he honed his expertise in marketing automation and data-driven strategy, leading cross-channel campaigns via HubSpot and Salesforce while ensuring GDPR compliance and advanced analytics for global audiences.

    His freelance consulting years were equally prolific, advising brands such as Aviatrix, T-Systems, Rydoo, and Zeotap on intent-based marketing and CRM integrations. Earlier roles at Simba Dickie Group, Eran Group, and Audi shaped his early understanding of brand building, experiential marketing, and international market dynamics.

    Recognised as one of India’s youngest Top 100 Most Influential Marketing Leaders by the World Marketing Congress, Pratiman has built a career at the intersection of creativity, data, and technology.

    Now at Bosch, his focus is clear, to accelerate growth through precision marketing that fuses global insight with local relevance. For a marketer who’s driven results from Mumbai to Munich, this next pit stop at Bosch looks like another winning lap.

  • Zee Media appoints Raktim Das as new CEO

    Zee Media appoints Raktim Das as new CEO

    MUMBAI: Zee Media Corporation has named seasoned media professional Raktimanu Das, popularly known as Raktim Das, as its new chief executive officer, effective 4 November 2025. His appointment follows the resignation of former CEO Karan Abhishek Singh.

    The company’s board of directors approved the appointment at a meeting on 3 November 2025, as per its filings with the BSE and NSE. Das has also been designated as key managerial personnel of the company.

    A media veteran with over two decades of experience, Das has worked with leading organisations including TV9 Network, Zee Entertainment Enterprises, Network18, Direct News, India Today, and The Times of India. His career spans revenue leadership, editorial strategy, brand monetisation, and digital transformation.

    Before joining Zee Media, Das served as chief growth officer (digital & broadcasting) at TV9 Network, where he played a key role in building high-performing teams and driving growth through innovation and intrapreneurship.

    A pioneer in the Indian media landscape, Das has been credited with creating industry-first branded content practices and media IPs across broadcast, digital, and OTT platforms.

  • WolfzHowl names VAN Sharma to lead StraTech drive

    WolfzHowl names VAN Sharma to lead StraTech drive

    MUMBAI: WolfzHowl has brought on board Eswara VAN Sharma as consulting director – StraTech and brand orchestration for India and ASEAN, marking a key leadership addition to power its next phase of growth.

    In his new role, VAN will lead brand strategy, client success, and business growth, advancing WolfzHowl’s signature StraTech movement, which merges behavioural insight with technology to build future-ready brands.

    At its core, StraTech blends culture, behavioural science, data, and AI to help brands forge meaningful connections across every stage of the marketing funnel.

    VAN’s global career spans marketing, innovation, and strategy across India, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, with stints at major brands including Mondelez, Emirates, Samsung, and ExxonMobil.

    Commenting on the appointment, WolfzHowl India founder and partner & head of strategy WolfzHowl Global Kalyan Ram Challapalli said, “As we enter a new chapter of strategic growth, we need seasoned leaders to scale and strengthen our StraTech vision. VAN’s experience, integrity, and collaborative leadership make him the perfect catalyst for this journey.”

    Reflecting on his new role, VAN Sharma said, “It’s rare to find a space that unites behavioural science, technology, and brand building so seamlessly. I’m excited to help orchestrate this convergence at WolfzHowl and shape what we proudly call StraTech.”

    Based in Bengaluru, VAN will also support WolfzHowl’s expansion across Southeast Asia and Australia, working closely with the global leadership team to amplify the consultancy’s innovation-led brand.

  • Warner Music strikes a new note with CFO hire

    Warner Music strikes a new note with CFO hire

    MUMBAI: Warner Music India has hit a high note in its leadership line-up, naming Vikram Kulkarni as its new chief financial officer. The appointment underscores the company’s push to amplify its business strategy and deepen collaboration across the Asia-Pacific region.

    Armed with over 17 years of experience across finance, strategy, and governance, Vikram brings a sharp understanding of balancing numbers with creative ambition. Before joining Warner Music, he served as finance controller at Thermo Fisher Scientific, where he partnered with India and South Asia leadership to drive sustainable growth. He has also held key roles at Ernst & Young and Welspun Group, honing expertise in financial reporting, audit, tax, and business performance management.

    “I’m honoured to join Warner Music India during such a dynamic time for the music industry,” said Vikram Kulkarni. “The company’s artist-first vision and commitment to creative growth inspire me. I look forward to building strong financial foundations that fuel innovation and long-term success.”

    Warner Music India & SAARC managing director Jay Mehta added, “Vikram brings the perfect mix of financial insight and leadership. His strategic perspective will be vital as we continue expanding Warner Music’s presence and impact across India and South Asia.”

    With Kulkarni now in the mix, Warner Music India looks set to fine-tune its rhythm of growth, blending business precision with creative passion in one of the world’s fastest-growing music markets.

     

  • BharatPe brings Shilpi Kapoor on board

    BharatPe brings Shilpi Kapoor on board

    MUMBAI: BharatPe has roped in seasoned marketer Shilpi Kapoor as its new head of marketing, marking a strategic move as the fintech player sharpens its brand play and digital growth strategy.

    With over two decades of experience across powerhouse brands, Kapoor joins BharatPe from Airtel Payments Bank, where she served as chief marketing officer and helped position it as one of India’s leading digital financial institutions. Her standout contributions included creating the ‘Safe second account’ category and scaling the bank’s active user base to over 100 million.

    Before Airtel, Kapoor made her mark at American Express, Renault, Godfrey Phillips, Bharti Airtel, and Coca-Cola, driving some of the most memorable brand stories in recent years. From leading Amex’s ‘Don’t Live Life Without It’ campaign to launching Renault KWID into India’s fast lane, her track record reflects a flair for insight-led, high-impact marketing.

    At BharatPe, Kapoor will oversee brand strategy, integrated marketing, and digital engagement across the company’s growing portfolio.

    BharatPe CEO Nalin Negi said, “We are building a digital-first financial ecosystem that merchants and consumers can trust. Shilpi’s expertise in scaling iconic brands will help us deepen engagement and drive our next phase of growth.”

    Sharing her excitement, Kapoor said, “BharatPe has been a game-changer for digital commerce in India. My goal is to strengthen its brand trust and cultural relevance while empowering millions of merchants and consumers nationwide.”

    Her appointment underscores BharatPe’s focus on consumer-centric storytelling and brand-led growth, as the fintech firm gears up to expand its footprint in India’s rapidly evolving digital finance landscape.

    With Kapoor at the helm of marketing, BharatPe seems ready to add a fresh coat of brand brilliance to its growth story.
     

  • HMD promotes Abhishek Ranjan to CMO for India, APAC

    HMD promotes Abhishek Ranjan to CMO for India, APAC

    MUMBAI: HMD is ringing in a new chapter of marketing leadership with the elevation of Abhishek Ranjan to chief marketing officer for India and the APAC region.

    A seasoned brand strategist with over 17 years of experience, Abhishek has helped shape the narrative for some of the biggest names in tech, including Samsung, Micromax, Logitech, Philips Mobiles, Celkon, and Tecno Mobile India.

    Since joining HMD in 2022 as head of brand marketing, he has played a pivotal role in transforming the brand’s identity, leading product campaigns, and spearheading launches that have resonated strongly with Gen Z and millennial consumers. His work on unveiling HMD as an independent phone brand and introducing innovative products like Crest and Fusion has further cemented his reputation as a creative powerhouse.

    In his new role, Abhishek will lead marketing, communications, and brand strategy across India and APAC. His focus will be on innovation-led growth, digital-first engagement, and strengthening HMD’s human-centric promise in an increasingly connected world.

    With his track record of marrying creativity and strategy, Abhishek’s promotion signals HMD’s intent to build a future-ready brand that speaks to the new-age consumer, one innovation at a time.

  • LatentView adds power minds to its AI think tank

    LatentView adds power minds to its AI think tank

    MUMBAI: When it comes to sharpening its data game, LatentView Analytics isn’t just adding numbers, it’s adding names that count. The AI-driven analytics and consulting firm has welcomed Vandana Rana and Divesh Singla to its Advisory Council, signalling a bold move to strengthen its leadership in AI and digital transformation.

    Divesh Singla, a veteran with over two decades in analytics and life sciences, has helmed leadership roles at Signant Health, IQVIA, Eli Lilly, and Parexel. Known for building world-class Global Capability Centres (GCCs), he’s also among India’s top 100 AI & analytics leaders.

    Meanwhile, Vandana Rana, an AI and data science trailblazer, brings global experience from Walmart Global Tech, Microsoft, and T-Mobile. A champion of responsible AI, she’s known for building scalable, high-impact data systems that turn innovation into real-world value.

    Commenting on the appointments, LatentView Analytics CEO Rajan Sethuraman said, “Enterprises today are clear about their AI priorities. To deliver measurable impact, we must stay ahead. Strengthening our Advisory Council with industry experts enhances our ability to help clients make confident, data-driven decisions.”

    Both new members expressed excitement about shaping LatentView’s vision. Singla highlighted India’s 100-billion dollars GCC opportunity, while Rana pointed out the need to operationalise AI effectively, turning experimentation into enterprise success.

    With these appointments, LatentView’s Advisory Council grows stronger as a think tank of innovators, guiding the company’s next phase of AI-driven growth, global partnerships, and purpose-led digital transformation.

  • DriveX rides ahead with new CEO Devesh Taparia

    DriveX rides ahead with new CEO Devesh Taparia

    MUMBAI: DriveX is revving up for its next big ride. The pre-owned two-wheeler brand has appointed Devesh Taparia as its new chief executive officer, signalling a fresh phase of technology-led growth, retail expansion and customer-focused innovation.

    A mobility enthusiast with a flair for transformation, Taparia brings over a decade of leadership experience from Mahindra & Mahindra, Peugeot Motocycles and TVS Motor Company. At TVS, he spearheaded strategic initiatives across global markets, driving innovation and business transformation, qualities that make him a perfect fit for DriveX’s next lap of growth.

    At the heart of his new mandate lies a clear goal, to make DriveX the most trusted tech-enabled mobility brand in India. Taparia will focus on scaling DriveX Direct, the company’s direct-to-customer model, and strengthening its omnichannel retail network across the country.

    “Devesh joins DriveX at a defining moment in our journey,” said DriveX director on the board Sharad Mohan Mishra. “His deep understanding of mobility, technology and customer behaviour aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver trust, transparency and innovation.”

    Expressing his excitement, Taparia said, “DriveX represents the future of pre-owned mobility, where intelligent technology, data insights and customer trust come together. I look forward to scaling our presence through DriveX Direct and next-generation retail experiences.”

    With plans to boost its AI-driven operations, expand refurbishment centres and open new stores across key cities, DriveX is clearly in top gear, ready to steer India’s pre-owned two-wheeler market into a smarter, faster and more trusted future.