ITV

Category: Media and Advertising

  • Amitabh M. takes the sales reins at Punjab Kesari Delhi Group

    Amitabh M. takes the sales reins at Punjab Kesari Delhi Group

    MUMBAI: Punjab Kesari Delhi Group has roped in Amitabh M. as its new national sales manager — a move that signals serious intent in the ever-competitive media sales space. With nearly three decades of navigating the media maze, Amitabh steps in armed with a résumé packed with big names, bigger targets, and a reputation for delivering results.

    Before this, he was AVP – business development at Picta Solutionz, and has clocked stints at top-tier players like Times Internet, ABP Digital, Hindustan Times, Outlook Publishing, Indian Express, and more. From digital wizardry to old-school ad hustle, Amitabh has sold it all — display, programmatic, native, sponsorship IPs, and brand solutions.

    Known for his knack for building lean, mean revenue machines, he also brings deep expertise in team management, forecasting, and concept selling. For Punjab Kesari, it’s a clear signal: it’s not just about selling space — it’s about owning the marketplace.

  • Pooja Sondhi gets HR handle at Adomantra to drive growth playbook

    Pooja Sondhi gets HR handle at Adomantra to drive growth playbook

    MUMBAI: She’s not just hiring, she’s here to rewire. In a strategic move to anchor its growth plans with a strong people backbone, Adomantra Digital India Pvt. Ltd has roped in Pooja Sondhi as its new chief human resources officer (CHRO). The appointment signals the company’s intent to double down on its talent-first philosophy while expanding operations across Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.

    Armed with over 20 years of HR experience, Pooja is no stranger to driving scale. A certified POSH trainer and two-time HR award winner “HR Professional of the Year” (HR+L&D Innovation Summit 2024) and one of the “50 HR Innovators” (World HRD Congress 2023) she’s known for her sharp people insights, strategic acumen, and change-making credentials. Her resume spans stints at Dainik Jagran, JCDecaux, Vcommission Media, and Aargus Global Logistics, giving her a ringside view into both legacy and new-age organisations.

    At Adomantra, she’ll steer HR across its growing business hubs, with a focus on building a high-performance, inclusive, and agile culture. As part of the company’s FY 2026 roadmap, Adomantra aims to onboard new hires and expand its business footprint placing Sondhi at the centre of this scale-up engine.

    “We are thrilled to have Pooja on board,” said Adomantra Digital India and Adotrip Group founder & CEO Vikas Katoch. “Her people-first mindset and strategic sharpness are exactly what we need as we grow across verticals. She brings both depth and direction to our HR vision.”

    Sondhi, for her part, is already rolling up her sleeves. “This is an exciting moment in Adomantra’s journey,” she said. “Together, we’ll build a workplace where growth and empathy go hand in hand because a great business starts with great people.”

    With her at the helm, Adomantra seems ready to not just chase targets, but to truly humanise hypergrowth, one hire, one culture shift, one strategy at a time.

  • Bold Care hits the pleasure button, launches massager line

    Bold Care hits the pleasure button, launches massager line

    MUMBAI: India’s numero uno sexual wellness disruptor, Bold Care, is going full throttle into the pleasure lane. The Ranveer Singh-backed brand has launched a brand-new lineup of intimate massagers — five under its booming women’s vertical, Bloom by Bold Care, and two for men — in a move that repositions the massager not as a secret indulgence, but as a daily dose of joyful self-care.

    The new drop isn’t just a product launch — it’s a cultural shft. Branded under the philosophy of “Big Pleasure,” Bold Care is flipping the script on self-pleasure from shame to self-empowerment.

    Launched just five months ago, Bloom by Bold Care has clocked over 1.5 lakh orders across Amazon, Flipkart, Nykaa, Myntra, and its own D2C platform. It’s already 4x ahead of Bold Care’s initial growth curve — and what’s more, it’s profitable. That’s pleasure, powered by science.

    The new line-up blends medical-grade silicone with sleek, ergonomic designs, long-lasting rechargeable batteries, and whisper-quiet tech. A 360-degree rotating head, a 365-day free replacement warranty (best-in-class, the brand claims), and affordable pricing give this range serious mass appeal. Products are available via Blinkit, Zepto, Swiggy Instamart, and leading e-tailers.

    The woman’s pleasure-giver range is as follows:

    * Rush (Rs 1,599): Compact bullet massager
    * Tempt (Rs 1,799): Classic wand with powerful vibes
    * Arouse (Rs 1,899): Dual-ended delight
    * Rhythm (Rs 899): Full-body wand for everyday ease
    * Sparkle (Rs 1,499): Travel-sized mini bullet

    And men have two varieties  in the Bold Care range to opt for, making the choice easier:

    * Masterstroke Stroker (Rs 1,499): Textured grip stroker
    * Stroke of Genius (Rs 1,899): Vibrating stroker with 10 custom modes
     

    “It is time we start recognising personal pleasure as an essential part of our health. With this launch, we are not just introducing products — we are opening a new chapter in how India approaches intimacy,” says Bold Care co-fouunder & CEO Rajat Jadhav. “Massagers should no longer be hidden or stigmatised, but embraced as essential tools of self-care. At Bold Care and Bloom, we are not just responding to demand, we are leading a shift in culture.”

    Since launching in July 2020, Bold Care has been rewriting the rulebook on men’s sexual health — offering science-backed treatments for erectile dysfunction (ED)  and premature ejaculation (PE), alongside India’s fastest-growing condoms and lubes. Bloom extends that same science-meets-sensibility playbook to women’s health, tackling root-cause issues from PCOS to menopause.

    Massagers are no longer hush-hush. With this bold new range, Bold Care is inviting Indians to indulge in their own pleasure –  guilt-free. 

  • TVS Ronin teams up with TBWAIndia to master #TheArtOfProtection

    TVS Ronin teams up with TBWAIndia to master #TheArtOfProtection

    MUMBAI: TVS Ronin is blending tradition with throttle in its latest campaign, “The Art of Protection”. Teaming up with TBWAIndia, the brand has launched a limited-edition helmet collection to mark World Art Day — where the brush meets the brake and heritage meets headgear.

    Inspired by Indian folk art styles like Warli, Madhubani, Gond and Pattachitra, the helmets aren’t just about saving lives, but saving legacies. Each piece is a hand-painted ode to India’s cultural wealth — a moving mural on two wheels.

     

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    A post shared by TVS Ronin (@tvsronin)

     

     

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    A post shared by TVS Ronin (@tvsronin)

     

    Adding to this, TVS Motor Company head business – premium, Vimal Sumbly shared, “TVS RONIN has always been about enabling riders to express their unique personalities. ‘The Art of Protection’ is a powerful manifestation of this philosophy — an initiative that not only safeguards our riders but also carries forward India’s incredible artistic heritage.”

    TBWAIndia creative head – South, Rathish Subramaniam commented, “India’s cultural richness deserves more than preservation; it demands celebration. This campaign captures just that spirit through the raw, #Unscripted lens of the TVS RONIN.”

    The initiative tackles two problems head-on: the casual disregard for helmet use among riders, and the fading visibility of India’s traditional art forms. The result? A campaign that’s part PSA, part gallery on the go.

    The numbers back the buzz: a 3.6 per cent engagement rate, eight per cent bump in Instagram followers, and over 75,000 page visits in just a week. With audiences asking for more, TVS is already shifting gears towards a phase two. Art never looked so fast.

  • Ferzad Palia takes charge of upGrad’s new D2C play to build mass skilling into a daily habit

    Ferzad Palia takes charge of upGrad’s new D2C play to build mass skilling into a daily habit

    MUMBAI: Skilling just got serious, and perhaps even a little snackable. Edtech major upGrad has roped in Ferzad Palia to lead its freshly minted direct-to-consumer (D2C) vertical as the company bets big on always-on learning to serve India’s digital-first, byte-sized learning generation.

    With a legacy in university-led programs, industry certifications and study abroad pathways, upGrad is now gearing up to make skilling a habit — not just a career intervention. The move signals the company’s next phase of growth: a high-octane, AI-fuelled ecosystem of micro-learning, personalisation, and scalable access.

    “It strengthens our mission to own the entire learning journey and turns skilling into a household habit, not just a job-switch trigger. Ferzad’s deep expertise in building high-scale, high-engagement content-driven platforms will help us unlock a wider segment – combined with tech that appeals to their fast-learning patterns”, said Upgrad co-founder & chairperson Ronnie Screwvala.

    In his new role, Palia will lead upGrad’s efforts to serve a new wave of learners seeking flexibility, speed and relevance. He brings more than 25 years of experience across consumer tech, media and advertising, most recently as senior EVP at JioStar (formerly Viacom18), where he played a pivotal role in scaling JioCinema. Before that, he spearheaded multiple divisions at Viacom18 including international distribution, youth media and the D2C business.

    Palia, who began his career at J Walter Thompson managing Unilever’s personal care portfolio, also had a stint at CNBC-TV18.

    “The opportunity to transform India’s upskilling and learning landscape at scale, is an exciting mandate. upGrad’s solid foundation and commitment to outcome-led learning provides the perfect springboard”, he said.

    With the new D2C push, upGrad is looking to turn binge-watching into binge-learning— minus the guilt, and with outcomes attached.

  • Kitkat gives genZ a break from decision-making with ‘Snap to Decide’ campaign

    Kitkat gives genZ a break from decision-making with ‘Snap to Decide’ campaign

    MUMBAI: A simple snap. That’s all it took to turn a viral trend into Kitkat’s next campaign.  In a recent internet trend, young users were seen making choices by snapping a Kitkat and letting the longer piece decide. Leveraging this trend, Nestlé Kitkat launched its latest quirky and relatable campaign, ‘Kitkat Snap to Decide’ with Jackie Shroff.

    While life continues to be all about choices, from trivial to significant – especially for the gen Z- this campaign transforms everyday dilemmas into light-hearted, ‘no-pressure’ moments. From choosing playlists to picking meals – even the smallest of choices can feel exhausting in today’s always-on world. With Snap to Decide, Kitkat offers a playful way to take a break from overthinking—just snap and go with the flow.

    Nestlé India head, confectionery business, Gopichandar Jagatheesan said, “We observed that today’s generation is constantly juggling choices—big and small. With ‘Snap to Decide’, we’ve taken a familiar brand ritual and turned it into a fun, relatable tool that gives them a much-needed break from decision-making.”

    The rollout continues with a range of digital creators who are bringing the idea to life: sometimes, the best way to decide is with the snap of a Kitkat.

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    A post shared by KITKATINDIA (@kitkatindia)

     

  • WPP boss Mark Read to sign off at year-end after 30-year ad-venture

    WPP boss Mark Read to sign off at year-end after 30-year ad-venture

    MUMBAI: WPP plc has just hit ‘next’ on its leadership playlist. The British ad giant announced that long-time chief executive officer Mark Read will hang up his boots and step down from the board on 31 December 2025, marking the end of a 30-year run—including a high-octane seven-year stint steering the ship as CEO. The search for his successor is already underway.

    WPP chair  Philip Jansen, heaped praise on Read’s legacy, hailing him as a transformational force. “On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Mark for his contributions not only as CEO but throughout his more than 30 years of leadership and service to the Company. During that time Mark has played a central role in transforming the Company into a world leader in modern marketing services, with deep AI, data and technology capabilities, global presence and unrivalled creative talent, setting WPP up well for longer-term success,” said Jansen.” We are pleased that Mark will continue to lead WPP as CEO until the end of the year, remaining focused on the execution of the Company’s growth strategy and supporting a smooth transition to his successor, once appointed.”

    In a heartfelt sign-off, Read said leading WPP had been “an immense privilege.” When he took the reins in 2018, his mission was to simplify the business, power up its creative engines, and plug it into cutting-edge tech. By most accounts, he’s delivered.

    Said Read: “WPP is an incredible company with over 100,000 talented and creative people, wonderful clients and partners, and an unmatched presence around the world. It has been an immense privilege to serve as its CEO for the past seven years.

    “When I took on this role our mission was to build a simpler, stronger business, and put structure and new energy behind our creativity and performance, powered by world-leading technology. I am proud that our teams across the business have delivered that exceptionally well. Our clients today rate us more highly than ever before, we now work with four of the world’s five most valuable companies, and our revenues with our biggest clients have grown consistently.

    “Our business starts with creativity, and I was delighted for our teams that last year we were once again named Creative Company of the Year at Cannes Lions. We have also positioned WPP at the forefront of the industry with our investments in AI and, with the full launch of WPP Open this year, we are now leading the way as AI transforms marketing. We have an exceptional leadership team and a secure financial position that allows us to face the future confidently and capture the opportunities ahead.

    “After seven years in the role, and with the foundations in place for WPP’s continued success, I feel it is the right time to hand over the leadership of this amazing company. I am excited to explore the next chapter in my life and can only thank all the brilliant people I have been lucky enough to work with over the last 30 years, and who have made possible the enormous progress we have achieved together. I would also like to thank Phil and the rest of the Board for their steadfast support for me and the wider executive team, and I look forward to supporting them in the transition to my successor in the coming months.”

    WPP now works with four of the world’s five most valuable companies, and its largest clients are spending more than ever. He also gave a nod to WPP Open, the firm’s AI-powered platform, calling it a game-changer that’s keeping WPP ahead of the curve as artificial intelligence rewrites the rules of marketing.

    “I feel it is the right time to hand over the leadership of this amazing company,” said Read. “We’ve built the foundations for future success, and I look forward to exploring the next chapter in my life.”

    WPP, which employs over 100,000 people across the globe, is now on the hunt for a new commander-in-chief to build on Read’s digital-first, AI-fuelled momentum.

    The Mad Men era is long gone—WPP 2.0 is ready for its next act.

  • Kaur power drives WSO2’s APAC ambitions with digital push

    Kaur power drives WSO2’s APAC ambitions with digital push

    MUMBAI: She’s got the code to scale. In a strategic play to fuel its digital dominance across Asia-Pacific, Wso2 has appointed Navneet Kaur as vice president and general manager for the region. From India to Japan, and from SAARC to Southeast Asia and ANZ, Kaur’s appointment signals a sharpened focus on enterprise transformation in one of the world’s fastest-growing digital markets.

    Armed with over 20 years of experience at tech giants like Salesforce, Mulesoft, and Capgemini (Aricent), Kaur has made a career out of scaling businesses and building high-performing teams across APAC. Now, she’s steering Wso2’s vision for the region at a time when cloud-native innovation and digital infrastructure modernisation are hitting a major inflection point.

    “There’s a wave of innovation and opportunity in the region,” Kaur said, adding that Wso2’s platform is uniquely poised to help businesses “modernise and compete in a cloud-first world.” Her leadership will be central to advancing the company’s open-source and SaaS offerings ranging from API management and integration to identity and access management for sectors like BFSI, telecom, and government.

    WSO2 already enjoys strong traction in India, and the company is doubling down on customer-centric strategies, strategic partnerships, and value delivery across APAC. With enterprises increasingly seeking secure and scalable digital experiences, the Sri Lanka-headquartered firm is betting big on Kaur’s deep domain knowledge and transformative vision.

    By investing in strong regional leadership, WSO2 hopes to unlock meaningful business outcomes in the region, one digital experience at a time.

  • Ketan K Bharati joins The House of Abhinandan Lodha to lead media

    Ketan K Bharati joins The House of Abhinandan Lodha to lead media

    MUMBAI: Ketan K Bharati, the marketing maverick who has shaped campaigns across telecom, FMCG, tech, and media giants, has now planted his flag at The House of Abhinandan Lodha (HoABL) as head – media strategy & performance marketing.

    With a career spanning nearly two decades and marquee brands like Truecaller, Reckitt, Vodafone, Disney Star, and GroupM in his rearview mirror, Bharati’s next chapter promises to blend data muscle, storytelling flair, and go-to-market wizardry for one of India’s most ambitious real estate disruptors.

    Bharati, was most recently VP – global marketing ops at Truecaller, where he steered GTM rollouts, global launches, and even lit up Times Square.

    Backed by stints managing Rs 500 crore media portfolios, landing Gold at Spikes Asia, and anchoring revenue surges at Fox International and Reckitt, Bharati is no stranger to performance-led growth. His Vodafone days saw him turn cricket carnivals into brand goldmines with the IPL and World Cup. At GroupM, he cracked efficiency gains for brands like Dove and PepsiCo with data-first media buying.

    At HoABL, he’s expected to fuse full-funnel performance with digital-first thinking, supporting the brand’s audacious land-tokenisation push and national expansion.

    In a world where land is being reimagined as a lifestyle asset, HoABL’s latest hire signals it’s not just playing the game. It’s rewriting the script.

  • Venu Takes the Wheel as TVS Shifts Gears at the Top

    Venu Takes the Wheel as TVS Shifts Gears at the Top

    MUMBAI: TVS Motor’s leadership engine just got a new ignition, Sudarshan Venu is in the driver’s seat now. In a landmark move signalling the next chapter in its leadership journey, TVS Motor Company has announced that Sudarshan Venu will take over as chairman and managing director effective August 25, 2025. The company’s board of directors made the decision unanimously, underscoring Venu’s instrumental role in shaping TVS Motor’s strategy and global ambitions over recent years.

    Venu, currently serving as managing director, will succeed Ralf Speth, who has opted not to seek reappointment as director at the company’s Annual General Meeting on August 22, 2025. Ralf, the former CEO of Jaguar Land Rover and a seasoned automotive veteran, will officially step down as Chairman at the conclusion of the AGM.

    However, this isn’t a full stop, it’s a strategic shift. Ralf will continue his association with TVS as its chief mentor for a three-year term starting 23, August  2025, offering strategic counsel and drawing on his vast experience in automotive leadership.

    Expressing his gratitude, Venu said, “I am really honoured and excited for the future. TVS has been built on a foundation of customer centricity, quality, and technology values we must preserve as we reimagine our future. I’m deeply thankful to our chairman emeritus for his vision, and to Ralf for pushing us to think global and act bold.”

    The leadership change comes at a time when TVS Motor is expanding aggressively across global markets and investing in next-gen technologies, including electric mobility and connected vehicles. Venu has been central to this transformation, overseeing strategic acquisitions, international collaborations, and product innovations that have given the company new momentum.

    Ralf Speth’s stint as chairman was marked by a greater global orientation for TVS, including talent onboarding, enhanced R&D processes, and bold investments in future-ready technologies. In his new role as chief mentor, he is expected to help guide the company’s long-term vision and innovation roadmap.

    With this transition, TVS isn’t just changing drivers, it’s fine-tuning for the next lap of growth. And with Venu at the helm and Speth still in the pit lane, the company seems all set to accelerate into its next evolution.