Category: People

  • narrative ropes in Rajdeepgiri Goswami as creative director

    narrative ropes in Rajdeepgiri Goswami as creative director

    Mumbai: narrative, a branding and communication agency has appointed Rajdeepgiri Goswami as its creative director – art. With an illustrious career spanning 15 years, Goswami brings a wealth of expertise in steering the complete creative trajectory of brand campaigns. Prior to joining narrative, he held pivotal roles at globally renowned agencies including Ogilvy, Leo Burnett, Publicis, and Plan B. Notably, his tenure as creative director at Wildcraft also afforded him invaluable insights from the client-side, enriching his creative odyssey.

    Goswami holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the esteemed Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, an institution renowned throughout Asia for its mastery in Fine Arts. Beyond the canvas of design, he is also associated with many noble causes, having founded the KA-KHA-GA Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering special-needs children through education. Additionally, his innovation shines through the Tenpoints Braille, a pioneering marvel simplifying Braille reading. He not only has a strong design prowess but is equally attuned to creativity, empathy, and an unwavering desire to infuse the world with inclusivity and beauty.

    Commenting on the new appointment, narrative founder Rohit Varma said, “narrative has been focused on brand development, communication and campaign strategy as its core service offerings, and I believe Rajdeepgiri will add huge value to the organisation. His skills and experience will help the internal team and the organisation’s positioning in the market. We are expanding, and getting talent on board who are passionate and driven to do more. We are aiming for excellence in design and we welcome Rajdeepgiri onboard to join us in this mission.”

    Speaking on his appointment, Goswami said, “narrative works on a range of projects with a variety of clients, which will allow me to learn and improve in other areas of design. It features creative spaces that inspire designers to be imaginative and take chances. Having collaborative workspaces where designers can come together to build solutions for clients is a terrific method for me to learn while also improving my talents. I am committed to making a significant contribution to the current design process by using my skills and perspectives. I’m thrilled by the prospect of working on fresh and fascinating projects in the future. These opportunities not only provide opportunities for personal and professional development but also allow me to collaborate with a dynamic team to bring new ideas to life. I also look forward to working with Rohit, who is a great mentor. I have a lot to learn from his expertise.”

    Goswami will be based in Bangalore.

  • KlugKlug onboards Hemang Mehta as its country manager for India

    KlugKlug onboards Hemang Mehta as its country manager for India

    Mumbai: KlugKlug, a leading global influencer marketing B2B SaaS platform, has roped in Hemang Mehta as its country manager for India. With a wealth of experience within the digital media ecosystem and a deep understanding of the Indian market, Mehta will play a pivotal role in driving KlugKlug’s growth and expansion within the Indian market. Mehta will be responsible for KlugKlug India, primarily for sales & GTM strategy.

    Mehta brings an impressive track record in the media and marketing industry. He most recently served as the head of agency relationship at Network 18 Media & Investments Ltd from May 2018 to August 2023. Prior to that, he has also represented organisations like Exponential (now VDX.tv), India Today Digital & Rediff.com. His expertise spans various domains including digital media sales, mobile marketing, media planning, and buying, social media marketing, and more.

    Mehta expressed his enthusiasm about joining KlugKlug, saying, “I am thrilled to be a part of KlugKlug, a forward-thinking platform that is reshaping the influencer marketing landscape. As much as I look forward to collaborating with the exuberant team at KlugKlug, I am super excited to interact with the brands to deliver powerful data-backed Influencer solutions that will guarantee business outcomes.”

    KlugKlug, founded by Vaibhav Gupta and Kalyan Kumar, is a B2B tech platform that leverages AI-ML-led data to find and discover Influencers, provide accurate audience insights, and intelligence about global influencers on popular social platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok across 100+ countries. The platform offers a comprehensive solution for campaign management, performance tracking, and data analysis, facilitating seamless influencer marketing for brands.

    With the appointment of Mehta as the country manager for India, KlugKlug aims to further strengthen its presence in the Indian market and enhance its engagement with brands, agencies, and influencers. Mehta’s deep understanding of the digital media landscape and his proven ability to drive strategic growth initiatives will undoubtedly contribute to KlugKlug’s mission of revolutionizing influencer marketing for brands in India.

    Commenting on the appointment, KlugKlug co-founder and CEO Kalyan Kumar stated, “We are excited to welcome Hemang Mehta to our team as the Country Manager for India. His extensive experience in digital media sales and marketing will be instrumental in driving our efforts to provide influencer marketing solutions to our clients. We believe Hemang’s leadership will be key in scaling our operations and expanding our reach within the Indian market.”

    As KlugKlug continues to lead the way in influencer marketing innovation, the addition of Mehta to its leadership team marks a significant step towards achieving the company’s vision of transforming influencer marketing into a strategic and data-driven discipline.

  • Kaizzen goes global, begins operations in MENA region with Dubai office

    Kaizzen goes global, begins operations in MENA region with Dubai office

    Mumbai: Kaizzen, an integrated communications firm, announces its expansion into the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region with its new office in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This strategic move aims to cater to the growing demand for integrated and result-oriented PR and digital marketing solutions, offering a wide range of services to businesses across various sectors.

    As part of its MENA expansion, Kaizzen is delighted to introduce Dipankar Zalpuri as the president of the MENA region. As a seasoned professional, he brings over 18 years of experience in communications to the position. His expertise spans digital marketing, content marketing, public relations, and events consulting and execution. Having served thousands of clients with varied mandates across different geographies, he is well-prepared to deliver custom PR and digital marketing solutions for best-of-the-breed international brands as well as fast-growing startups.

    Kaizzen founder and CEO Vineet Handa expressed enthusiasm about the company’s latest endeavour, saying, “We are thrilled to embark on this new journey as we extend our footprint into the MENA market. The Middle East and North Africa region is a dynamic hub of innovation, culture, and growth. Dubai is a gateway to MENA and GCC region, which makes this a strategic decision to expand Kaizzen’s global ambitions.  With our expertise in crafting compelling narratives and our commitment to delivering tangible results, we look forward to helping businesses in the region connect with their audiences in meaningful ways.”

    Kaizzen group president Nikhil Pavithran “Our goal is to not only provide clients with world-class communication strategies but also to become an integral part of the region’s business landscape. With the support of our talented team and our commitment to innovation, I am confident that we will create impactful and transformative campaigns for our clients.”

    Zalpuri expressed his excitement about leading Kaizzen’s operations in the MENA region, stating, ” I believe that MENA is a region that values innovation, building relationships, and entrepreneurship. I am determined to make a substantial positive impact in this region with this prestigious mandate. This confidence comes from the backing of passionate hard work and exceptional dedication to deliver successful client campaigns that are encoded in the DNA of this remarkable organisation, right from the top. With the support of a vastly talented team, we will take forward the Kaizzen narrative of boosting businesses by creating appealing brand stories through comprehensive 360-degree communication strategies. Well, the way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.”

    The opening of the UAE office marks a significant milestone, as it signifies the agency’s dedication to providing top-notch services to its clients, both locally and globally. The agency’s relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation forms a robust foundation for future endeavours. Kaizzen is ideally positioned to bring its unique blend of creativity and strategic thinking to the dynamic and diverse MENA market. 

  • Snap Inc. onboards Pulkit Trivedi as India managing director

    Snap Inc. onboards Pulkit Trivedi as India managing director

    Mumbai: Snap Inc., the technology company that brings the world Snapchat, today announced the appointment of Pulkit Trivedi as India managing director, reporting to Snap’s APAC president Ajit Mohan.

    Trivedi joins Snap from Google where he has spent the past five years as the Director of Google Pay – India Business Team. As a part of the leadership team, Trivedi was responsible for building strategic plans for the business, forging key partnerships, and leading the monetization agenda for Google Pay in India.  

    In his role, Trivedi will be responsible for leading the organization’s Indian operations including driving revenue, supporting partners, and nurturing the creator ecosystem. Under a new operational structure, the Growth, Market Development, Partnerships, Content and Creator Ecosystem teams will now report directly to Trivedi. This new, highly localized structure reinforces Snap’s commitment to India to further build unique experiences for the company’s growing user community.

    Snap Inc. APAC president Ajit Mohan said, “I am thrilled to welcome Pulkit to the Snap team at such an exciting time for our organization, both in India as well as more broadly across Asia-Pacific. Pulkit’s deep expertise in building and scaling businesses and finding ways to drive outsized growth for partners will enable us to continue delighting our surging community of over 200 million Snapchatters in India.”

    Mohan continued, “Unifying our local teams under this new structure will set the right stage for making accelerated investments in India and enable us to further fuel the growth of our community and partners.”

    Trivedi brings with him over 23 years of experience from top technology companies, including leadership roles at Meta and Google in India.

    Trivedi said, “Snap has a reputation for being a true innovator and has built a thriving community in India with a product that has connected with so many young Indians. I could not be more excited to join Snap and look forward to unlocking the enormous opportunity alongside a capable and dynamic team, supporting brands, creators and the community alike. India is one of the world’s fastest-growing internet economies giving Snap an exceptional opportunity to actively contribute to the expansion of our community and businesses.”

    In May, Snap announced the milestone of over 200 million monthly active Snapchatters in India with more than 120 Million Indian Snapchatters watching content across Stories and Spotlight, the fourth and fifth tabs of the app. Spotlight has continued its significant growth with time spent in India alone more than tripling, with a new generation of creators building audiences and businesses on Snapchat.

  • Sunil Lulla appointed as chairman of Astrum Reputation Advisory

    Sunil Lulla appointed as chairman of Astrum Reputation Advisory

    Mumbai: Astrum, India’s first science-based specialist reputation management advisory, has appointed Sunil Lulla as its chairman. With his proven credentials as a business leader, Lulla will play a vital role in strengthening Astrum’s capability as a trusted advisor to the C Suite and adding fuel to its growth engine.

    Astrum founding managing partner Ashwani Singla stated, “For over two decades that I have known and worked with Sunil, I have admired how he combines strategic clarity with execution excellence to achieve extraordinary outcomes. Our clients and colleagues will benefit from his sage counsel and proven acumen.”

    “The impact of reputation, risk and regulation on business is a major pre-occupation of the C Suite and more so today; I am delighted to be a part of a team that has an enviable track record of helping CXOs successfully negotiate this landscape, says Lulla.

    Lulla further adds,”Ashwani has played a major role in professionalising the Indian Public Relations landscape and now by putting ‘data and digital’ at the heart of Astrum, he is pioneering the next progression of public relations and public affairs; I am excited to contribute to this journey.”

    Lulla is known for successfully growing businesses, building enduring brands, and shaping organizational cultures. In a career spanning close to four decades, Lulla has delivered business profitability, built market leadership and driven high employee engagement. These include blue chip organizations such as MTV, SONY, Entertainment Television, The Times Television Network, Indya.com, HMV, Diageo, Balaji Telefilms, JWT, GREY Group and BARC. He is the chief evangelist of The Linus Adventures, an advisory service focused on growing businesses, building brands, and enabling cultures.

    Brands benefit from Sunil’s deep insights into Indian consumers and the Board of Directors, C Suite executives and start-up founders benefit from his rich experience in building very successful high-performance organizations. Lulla is an Institute of Directors (IOD) certified board member and currently serves on a number of boards.

  • Bodhi Tree Systems strengthens holdings with increased stake in Viacom18

    Bodhi Tree Systems strengthens holdings with increased stake in Viacom18

    Mumbai: Media sources have revealed that Bodhi Tree Systems, co-founded by Uday Shankar and James Murdoch, has increased its ownership in Viacom18 by an additional 2.89 per cent.

    The acquisition, valued at Rs 953.23 crore, has elevated Bodhi Tree Systems’ stake in Viacom18 to 15.97 per cent.

    Uday Shankar, who joined the Viacom18 board in April, is reportedly working on assembling a fresh leadership team, according to reports.

  • CABT Logistics appoints Sharique Malgaonkar as COO

    CABT Logistics appoints Sharique Malgaonkar as COO

    Mumbai: CABT Logistics, India’s leading logistics company, is expanding internationally in MENA. After establishing a strong presence in pan-India, the company is working on acquiring a substantial market share in the MENA region.

    To facilitate the same, CABT Logistics is pleased to announce the appointment of Sharique Malgaonkar as its new chief operating officer (COO) for the MENA region who will be operating out of the headquarters already set up in Dubai.

    With this strategic hiring, CABT Logistics aims to accelerate its growth and strengthen its presence in the United Arab Emirates geography.

    Sharique brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this new role. He has been an e-commerce supply chain leader with more than two decades of experience in B2B & B2C supply chain, marketplace management, large format retail sales, category management, B2B trading & store operations. He has an impressive track record of aiding business expansion working with prominent organisations like ITC, Future Group, Flipkart etc. He has led large, complex and multilingual teams to success.  As a start-up enthusiast, Sharique is the perfect fit to lead CABT Logistics’ ambitious growth initiatives in the MENA region.

    As the COO, he will be responsible for business development, strategic planning, and operational efficiency. He will be leading the team in the MENA region to drive business growth and optimise processes. Fostering and building relationships, Malgaonkar will be responsible for key partnerships with customers, partners, and other stakeholders in the MENA region. With a deep understanding of the region, he will also be responsible for identifying and mitigating risks ensuring that the business is compliant with all applicable regulations. Helping CABT Logistics gain a strong foothold in the region, Sharique will aid in delivering exceptional value to clients and stakeholders.

    “With international expansion in our sight, we are looking at optimising our presence in the MENA region and we are thrilled to welcome Mr. Sharique Malgaonkar to our team. His expansive career, leadership skills and deep understanding of the region will surely be key in achieving our objectives in the MENA region”, shared CABT Logistics founder Shailesh Kumar.

    “I am excited to join CABT Logistics and help them make a mark in the MENA region. This is an incredible opportunity and I am looking forward to working with CABT Logistics to cater to the MENA region market and leverage new opportunities and build valuable partnerships for the company”, shared CABT Logistics COO Sharique Malgaonkar.

  • Orientbell Tiles onboards Saravanan Elango as vice president of sales

    Orientbell Tiles onboards Saravanan Elango as vice president of sales

    Mumbai: Orientbell Tiles has appointed Saravanan Elango as the vice president of sales. With a proven track record in sales leadership in the building & construction industry, Elango joins Orientbell Tiles to spearhead the company’s sales initiatives in the Southern states.

    Orient Bell Ltd has been manufacturing tiles for 45+ years. It is a pioneer in simplifying tile selection with digital tools.

    Elango brings over 26 years of experience in the consumer space. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a keen understanding of the industry landscape and a strong customer orientation that unfailingly delivers remarkable results. His ability to build high-performing teams, coupled with his unwavering dedication to customer satisfaction, makes him an invaluable addition to Orientbell Tiles.  

    As the vice president of sales, Elango will play a critical role in developing and executing sales strategies to drive revenue growth for Orientbell Tiles & build channel loyalty. He will be responsible for leading a dynamic sales team, nurturing strong customer relationships, and identifying new business opportunities to further strengthen Orientbell Tiles’ position as a leader in the industry.

    Commenting on the appointment, chief sales officer Pinaki Nandy expressed utmost enthusiasm, stating, “We are thrilled to welcome Saravanan as our Vice President of Sales. His extensive industry knowledge and maturity make him a valuable asset to our leadership team. With his strategic vision and passion for excellence, we are confident that he will drive our sales efforts to new heights. We warmly welcome Saravanan and look forward to achieving unparalleled success together.”

    Elango shared his excitement about joining Orientbell Tiles, stating, “It is an honor to be part of a company with such a rich legacy in the tile industry. I have always believed in leveraging digital and I find the steps Orientbell Tiles has taken very inspiring. I am eager to lead a young sales team and contribute to the company’s continued success by delivering exceptional value to our channel partners. Together, we will set new benchmarks in the industry and make tile selection a new experience in the Southern states.”

    Orientbell Tiles is confident that Elango’s appointment as vice president of sales will shape the company’s growth trajectory in the Southern states. With Elango’s leadership skills, industry expertise, and customer-centric approach, Orientbell Tiles will continue to exceed customer expectations, innovate in the tiles industry, and achieve more success.

  • Rossari Biotech elevates Puneet Arora to director – CSO, Vikram Rewar to business head textile division

    Rossari Biotech elevates Puneet Arora to director – CSO, Vikram Rewar to business head textile division

    Mumbai: Rossari Biotech, one of India’s leading textile and specialty chemical manufacturers committed to creating and delivering innovation through personalised and sustainable solutions, is pleased to announce a significant milestone in its journey towards growth and innovation. The company has elevated two seasoned professionals, Puneet Arora and Vikram Rewar, to assume new leadership roles, reinforcing its commitment to strategic talent expansion and business excellence.

    Puneet Arora has been appointed as the director – chief strategy officer within the CMD (chairman & managing director) cell, across all group companies and subsidiaries. Arora’s visionary approach and analytical acumen are poised to steer Rossari Biotech towards new horizons of growth and market leadership.

    In addition, Vikram Rewar has been named the business head of the textile division – domestic. In this new role, Rewar’s extensive experience and profound knowledge will play a pivotal role in fostering innovation, accelerating growth, and cultivating stronger client relationships.

    The elevation of Puneet Arora and Vikram Rewar to key leadership positions comes at an exciting juncture for Rossari Biotech. Commenting on these appointments, Group CFO Ketan Sablok expressed, “We are delighted to welcome Puneet Arora and Vikram Rewar to their new leadership roles. This change will optimise our team structure and create new opportunities for collaboration and growth. We are confident that their contributions will accelerate our growth trajectory and reinforce our position as a market leader, while adhering to the highest industry standards.”

    For over two decades, Rossari Biotech has remained a pioneering specialty chemical manufacturer in India, and the strategic talent expansion is poised to create an environment of excellence, innovation, and collaboration. Renowned as a cornerstone of customer-centric solutions, the company is synonymous with quality, innovation, and sustainable ethics. Its enduring legacy is woven with dedication to industry norms, setting the stage for a future marked by excellence, safety, and agility.

    To support this vision, Rossari Biotech has also launched a robust digital transformation program that aims to integrate cutting-edge technology to enhance operational agility, optimise supply chain management, and elevate customer experiences. The company is further implementing SAP Solutions to future-proof the brand, streamlining processes, improving data accuracy, and enabling dynamic decision-making to stay competitive in the global market.

  • Clensta appoints Navin Prajapati as VP of retail sales and new initiatives

    Clensta appoints Navin Prajapati as VP of retail sales and new initiatives

    Mumbai: Personal care brand Clensta has appointed Navin Prajapati as vice president of retail sales and new initiatives. Navin brings his seven-year experience to Clensta, leveraging his deep understanding of market dynamics and consumer preferences to optimise the brand’s presence in traditional retail channels and establish strong partnerships with key players in the industry. 

    In his new role, he will also develop fresh avenues for expanding the company’s reach globally and establishing a strong business presence for Clensta in international markets. In addition to ensuring customers have easy access to Clensta’s wide range of skincare, haircare, body care and wellness products, Navin will also drive the generation of additional revenue streams in sectors such as general trade, modern trade, institutional sales, and the HORECA business.

    “I am very excited to join the Clensta team and be part of a brand that is redefining the traditional concepts of personal care. Clensta prioritises sustainability, the use of natural ingredients and innovative technology solutions to show consumers a better way of living. I look forward to expanding our inventory and retail sales and establishing Clensta’s presence across the world through innovative customer outreach initiatives,” said  Clensta vice president Navin Prajapati.

    An MBA graduate from the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta, Navin was a former entrepreneur having founded Sabka Mandi and has also dabbled as a chartered accountant. He was the part of founder’s office in companies like mCaffeine and has also been associated with Colgate-Palmolive as a business leader associate and Unilever.

    “We are thrilled to have Navin Prajapati join the Clensta family. His vast experience and knowledge of market dynamics will help propel Clensta onto its next wave of growth and expansion, shifting from a product value chain to a distribution value chain. This strategic shift under Navin’s leadership will help us reach a larger consumer base while allowing us to stay true to our commitment to innovation and sustainability,” said Clensta founder Puneet Gupta. 

    Clensta recently joined hands with actress Parineeti Chopra as an investor, partner and brand ambassador. Since its inception, Clensta has secured funding from notable investors like IAN and IAN fund, IPV, VCats and Hem Securities.