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Category: People

  • Sumit Walia appointed as vice president, product & marketing at OPPO India

    Sumit Walia appointed as vice president, product & marketing at OPPO India

    MUMBAI: OPPO India recently announced the appointment of Sumit Walia as vice president, product & marketing to further strengthen OPPO's product offering and establish a stronger connect with Indian consumers.

    In his new role, Walia will be spearheading the localisation efforts in product and marketing at OPPO India. Strategically appointed, he will be leading the India market and will be focussing on building and growing the OPPO brand in the highly competitive mobile handset space in India.

    Speaking on the appointment OPPO India CEO and OPPO South Asia president Charles Wong said, "In-line with OPPO India's localisation approach, we are happy to have Sumit Walia on-board with us. At OPPO, we are committed to bringing meaningful innovation to Indian consumers and Sumit will be working alongside our local R&D centre in Hyderabad to introduce not only cutting-edge technology but also new experiences customised for Indian consumers. Sumit's appointment comes at a critical juncture as we enter the 6th year of our operations in India & plan to expand our product offerings across all price points. India is one of our key markets, we believe that Sumit will play an instrumental role in strengthening our brand in the coming years. We extend a warm welcome and congratulate him on his new role."

    Commenting on his new role, Walia said, "I am delighted to join the OPPO family especially when the brand is experiencing such a phenomenal transformation. The opportunity that lies ahead is incredibly exhilarating and I look forward to working with the team to take OPPO to new heights. Focusing on consumer engagement, the aim will be to bring localised insights across product and marketing portfolio to achieve our goal."

    Walia comes to OPPO with over two decades of experience. A well respected and recognised veteran of the technology and telecom space, Sumit has worked with multiple leading brands managing diverse portfolios for Samsung, Huawei, LG Electronics and Videocon. Focusing largely on bringing in a perfect confluence of sales and marketing, Sumit has been at the forefront of strengthening the position of various technology brands in the India market.

  • Sarvita Sethi appointed as Coca-Cola India and southwest Asia VP M&A, Harsh Bhutani as CFO

    Sarvita Sethi appointed as Coca-Cola India and southwest Asia VP M&A, Harsh Bhutani as CFO

    MUMBAI: Keeping with developing business needs and investment in talent development, Coca-Cola India has made two-key changes at its top management. It has appointed Sarvita Sethi as vice-president, merger, and acquisitions (M&A) and new ventures, and Harsh Bhutani as vice president – finance (CFO),  for Coca-Cola India and southwest Asia. The appointments will be effective from 1 August.

    Sethi, who was earlier VP finance India and southwest Asia, had become the first woman to head the company’s finances for the region. In her new role, she will be responsible for the firm’s crucial incubator, which involves conceptualising, developing and launching new products relevant to the market, besides scaling up these new brands or products until they can be managed by general marketing and sales teams.

    Sethi is a chartered accountant with more than 15 years of experience in corporate finance, and had worked for Sainsbury’s and Viacom in London before joining Coca-Cola in 2008.

    She is known for her “results-oriented” mindset and her expertise in financial operations of fast-moving consumer goods firms. Her journey in the professional world began as an audit manager for the global audit and consultancy firm PricewaterhouseCooper in London in 1996. Before joining the professional world, Sethi went to City University London to finish her Bachelor’s in Science degree in economics and accountancy in 1995.

    Bhutani, a veteran at Coke’s bottling arm Hindustan Coca Cola Beverages will take over from Sethi. Before joining HCCB in 1999, he was with Swiss industrial products and solutions conglomerate – Asea Brown Boveri.

    A chartered accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Bhutani has earned a name for himself, among his friends and colleagues, as an efficient business planner.

  • Former Vodafone Digital Media lead joins ERUDITUS executive education

    Former Vodafone Digital Media lead joins ERUDITUS executive education

    MUMBAI: Srinivasulu Yaramreddy, former digital media lead of Vodafone and an alumni of Indira Institute of Management has joined as ERUDITUS Executive Education, Mumbai, a top business school in India as Associate Director, Marketing. ERUDITUS offers executive education programmes in association with many global universities. The executive education programs of Eruditus is  led by alumni of INSEAD and Harvard, and supported by program experts across the world. The education programs are designed and conducted in alliance with all leading business schools across the globe.

    Mr. Yaramreddy holds an MBA in Marketing & IT with expertise in numerous aspects comprising of marketing, sales, client servicing, account management and project management support for online projects, promotions and services.  He has a rich experience of working more than 12 years in marketing & IT.

    Yamareddy, an expert in Internet Marketing, E-commerce, e-branding, Online advertising, Online Identity Branding, Online Reputation Management, UI Design Consulting, Social Media Promotions, Project management, Affiliate Management and Driving business online, has successfully spearheaded the digital campaigns of various brands alike Bajaj Finserv, Globus Family of Brands and many more.

    He also has a vast experience of driving projects in dynamic websites, portals, social media planning and execution, online media planning – budgeting and analysis, online promotion and campaigns including viral marketing and corporate identity branding.

  • JW Marriott Pune appoints Abhirath Sah as director of sales & marketing

    JW Marriott Pune appoints Abhirath Sah as director of sales & marketing

    MUMBAI: JW Marriott Pune, one of the most-reputed/luxurious hotels in the city, has further added to its dedicated and experienced team with the appointment of Abhirath Sah as the new Director of Sales & Marketing. In his new role, Abhirath will be responsible for the overall functioning and growth of market share for the hotel, and will spearhead a team of highly skilled professionals while developing sales & revenue strategies for segment-wise growth.

    With a vast experience and a deep understanding of the hospitality sector, Abhirath joins the hotel from The Westin Hyderabad Mindspace, where in his capacity as Director of Sales & Marketing, he was in charge of driving the core sales and marketing strategies. Abhirath brings to the table his unmatched expertise in hospitality operations and management, after a long-spanning career in the industry, with prominent hospitality brands such as Sheraton, Leela Palace – Hotels & Resorts and Trident among others.

    Abhirath holds a degree from Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology & Applied Nutrition, Bangalore and began his career with Carlson Hospitality Marketing India Pvt. Ltd. He was awarded with the “Innovative Achievement of the Year 2009” at the IHHR National Sales Conference. An avid traveler and a keen golf enthusiast, Abhirath is equally passionate about his work and is aligned with JW Marriott Pune’s commitment towards enriching guest experience through thoughtfully-crafted services.

  • Hari Krishnan appointed executive director TBWA

    Hari Krishnan appointed executive director TBWA

    MUMBAI: TBWA India is rolling out a new process of data, experience design and communications planning as part of the agency’s new creative approach. This is in line with its global agenda of adding further depth to the ‘Disruption’ framework to arrive at a more effective creative product. 

    Driving this integration is Hari Krishnan who was recently appointed as Executive Director and will head the agency’s Delhi operations. He will also lead the Agency’s Nissan United 3.0 transformation. Krishnan has spent over 27 years across agencies such as JWT, Cheil, Grey, Bates and Ogilvy. He was Managing Director of Zenith Media prior to his entrepreneurial venture in Content.

    Announcing Krishnan’s appointment, Govind Pandey, CEO, TBWA, says: “Hari joins at an exciting time when new-age leadership well-versed with creativity, media, digital, content and deep knowledgeable integration experience is a must. Hari’s rich and diverse experience will enhance TBWA’s unique offering and client partnerships to gain a greater share of the future.” 

    On his new role, Hari Krishnan says: “The team at TBWA comprises a unique and diverse set of skills across data, digital, creative, tech and media. The added dimensions of data-led audience insights, powered by digital media innovation will supercharge our creative effectiveness. I am looking forward to this exciting opportunity”. 

    The TBWA Delhi leadership team also includes Antony Rajkumar, Strategy Head; and Ashwin Parthiban, Creative Head. 

  • Davide Grasso, former CEO of NIKE’s Converse named COO of Maserati

    Davide Grasso, former CEO of NIKE’s Converse named COO of Maserati

    MUMBAI: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (“FCA”) (NYSE: FCAU/MTA: FCA) today announced two moves in its leadership team. Davide Grasso, former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NIKE’s Converse, joins FCA and is named Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Maserati. Grasso also is appointed to the Company’s Group Executive Council (GEC).

    While at Converse, Grasso engineered that iconic brand for long-term sustainable growth. His previous experience includes a string of successes at NIKE, where he served in numerous leadership positions, including Chief Marketing Officer for the Nike brand.

    In a related move, Harald Wester assumes the role of Executive Chairman of Maserati.  In addition, his responsibilities as Chief Technical Officer (CTO) expand to include global powertrain along with global vehicle engineering for the Group.

    In his expanded role, Wester will oversee all product development and engineering for the Group’s ongoing new product strategy, including the expansion of its internal combustion and hybrid/electric powertrain offerings. As Executive Chairman of Maserati, Wester maintains strategic involvement in that historic brand and will oversee all technical and industrial areas.

    "With Davide’s arrival, we continue to round out FCA’s senior leadership team with world class talent,” said Mike Manley, CEO FCA. “He brings a wealth of brand expertise to one of the most historic marks in the automotive world. Davide and Harald will build on the work that’s already underway to rejuvenate Maserati worldwide; and Davide will be a valuable advisor to the GEC on brand matters across the FCA portfolio.

    “The expansion of Harald’s CTO role will further accelerate our progress in powertrain development and drive the integration of market leading technologies into our brands. Combining vehicle and powertrain engineering under one of the industry’s most respected technology leaders will streamline the delivery of our product strategies,” said Manley.

    Grasso said, "Joining Maserati at such a transformational time is an extraordinary opportunity that speaks to my passion for cars, great brands and my personal Italian heritage. Working with Mike Manley, Harald Wester and the rest of the FCA team will be a privilege. I’m honored to be joining FCA at such a defining and transformative moment for the company and the industry.”

    “This is a fundamental step in the growth of Maserati both for its technological development and for brand expansion and for this I’m excited to work with Davide” said Harald Wester. “I’m honored to take the lead of global powertrain for the Group in this challenging period.  The combined vehicle and powertrain teams will speed-up the development and integration of world class propulsion systems.”

  • Geometry Encompass elevates Tanu Randhawa as COO – north

    Geometry Encompass elevates Tanu Randhawa as COO – north

    MUMBAI: Geometry Encompass, the leading experiential marketing and brand activation agency under WPP Network, has elevated Tanu Randhawa as chief operating officer – north. She will be operating out of the Gurugram office. Earlier, she was managing partner, a position she has held since 2015.

    Randhawa joined Geometry Global Encompass, then Encompass, as an executive in 2000 straight out of college in Chandigarh. In her 19-year long stint with the company, she has grown to specialise in large format live experiences that span across events, exhibitions and brand activations. She has played a pivotal role in some of the award-winning special projects that the company has executed including the BMW i8 launch, opening ceremonies like the South Asian Games and Khelo India School Games and more than 6 Auto Expos for clients like Hyundai, FIAT, Eicher and Mercedes.

    Randhawa has also handled a corporate portfolio of clients like Hyundai, Eicher, and luxury automakers like Mercedes and BMW. She continues to lead the BMW relationship for the agency. As part of the Special Projects team she has worked on several major events like the BRICS Summit and The India Africa Forum Summit among others.

    Taking up the new role, Tanu Randhawa said, “The bigger role comes with bigger responsibilities. I am delighted by the faith Geometry Encompass has shown in me. My years at the agency have helped me carve a niche for myself in crafting live experiences and large format events. I look forward to taking the legacy ahead while leading an extremely talented and innovative team and to further strengthen our brand position.”

    Speaking of her new role, CEO and MD Roshan Abbas said, “Experiential agencies need people at the top who can combine their expertise while embracing the new age world of digital and data. Tanu has been a passionate advocate for this world and for empowering her young and passionate team always. Since April she has been actively leading our new business development efforts while executing our large format projects. She has been instrumental in creating an environment where we embrace new ideas and has helped build a solution-centric approach with brands focused on long term partnerships.”

  • OLX India appoints Sapna Arora as chief marketing officer

    OLX India appoints Sapna Arora as chief marketing officer

    MUMBAI: OLX India has appointed Sapna Arora as its new chief marketing officer. In her new role, she will be responsible for leading the brand marketing initiatives of the company. Prior to joining OLX, Arora was a partner at Matrix Atlantic Capital, where she worked closely with entrepreneurs to unlock growth opportunities.

    An alumnus of St. Stephens College, Delhi University, Arora holds an MBA Degree from IIM Bangalore. She has extensive experience in leading major brands through a creative turnaround and in inspiring engagement with consumers in new ways and previously has served in various leadership roles at Procter and Gamble, Reckitt Benckiser, Nestle and Bennett Coleman and has extensive experience of nurturing billion dollar brands such as Pantene, Whisper, Tampax, Tide, Stouffer's, and Mortein, among others.

    OLX India general manager Sushil Kumar said, “As the brand takes the next big leap in its positioning in India, Sapna will spearhead the brand’s marketing journey with her accomplished vision and experience. She has worked on some of the most iconic brands in India and we look forward to her contribution in our next phase of growth.”

    “I admire OLX's strong brand recognition, high consumer awareness, and rich brand heritage. It's a product that can help consumers upgrade their lives within their means, builds upon the cultural shift of shorter ownership cycles while extending the product's life; thereby contributing in reducing the carbon footprint," Arora said.

  • Fulcro appoints Akshat Trivedi as executive creative director

    Fulcro appoints Akshat Trivedi as executive creative director

    MUMBAI: Fulcro, an integrated digital marketing and communication agency that works with brands to build effective and innovative brand campaigns leveraging the power of creative, technology and data, has appointed Akshat Trivedi as the executive creative director. He will lead the creative team at the venture.

    Trivedi brings over a decade of experience in creative communication to the Fulcro team.

    He started his creative career at Ogilvy, Mumbai. Where he worked on different brands  including Star TV, Cadbury Perk, HUL, Mumbai Indians, Nutrela, and SBI life, to name a few. Akshat also scripted social awareness campaigns at Ogilvy like ‘TB Haarega, DeshJeetega’ and ‘KarodonAansoon Hain LekinKarodon Hum Bhi Hain’ for Star TV’s Pro Bono programme ‘Saath Hain Hum Uttarakhand’ during the unfortunate floods that shook the entire country.

    He later functioned as an independent creative consultant before joining The Womb, where he scripted popular TV campaigns for Fogg. Some of these include ‘Kya ChalRaha Hai’; ‘Baaki sab uddjaayega, Fogg RehJaayega’, Fogg ‘Train’TVC. He also wrote the launch campaigns for youthful brands like Asus Zenfone 4 ‘JinkiDuniyaBadiUnki Selfie Badhi’ and Zeelrainwear’s ‘Fiyer’ film.

    Trivedi is renowned for writing SaregamaCaravaan’s sensitive campaigns like ‘Aapkepehleypyaarkeliye, aapkimaakekiye’, ‘Iss Diwali Shor YaSangeet’, andJinheshaayadaapkabhikehnahipaaye,unhekahiye‘Thank You’ have been impactful in creating a pure voice for the brand. Carvaan’s Mother campaign not only won people’s hearts but also creative and effectiveness awards.

    Apart from this, as a creative consultant to Coverfox, he scripted the campaign ‘Cover Karo, KaamAayega’ that also bagged the South Asia Pacific Gender sensitivity Award at LaadliAwards.

    Speaking about his association with Fulcro, Trivedi said, “It is indeed heartening to lead the creative souls at Fulcro,  I look forward to sharing my learnings while creating a few of my own, through the young tech brains at Fulcro. So together we can do some awesome work for a new set of brands and take the company to greater heights.”

    On this appointment, Fulcro founder and managing director Sabyasachi Mitter said, “As we grow, it is also important to continue to offer our partners the very best output. We’ve long admired the incredible campaigns that Akshat delivers and at a time of increasing opportunity for our long form content, we are excited to welcome him to the team.”

  • Dentsu India appoints Krishna Mani as executive creative director – South

    Dentsu India appoints Krishna Mani as executive creative director – South

    MUMBAI: Dentsu India, the brand solutions agency from the house of Dentsu Aegis Network, has appointed Krishna Mani as executive creative director – south. He will be based out of the agency’s Bangalore office and will report to Dentsu India chief creative officer Malvika Mehra.

    Previously, Krishna worked with Ogilvy Delhi as group creative director, where he handled some of the biggest brands in the country including Sprite, KFC, Voltas, Honda, Philips, Pizza Hut, and Dabur. With over 16 years of experience, which involves many accolades including Cannes Lions nominations, Krishna is all set to lead the agency’s creative mandate for its south operations.

    Talking about Krishna’s appointment, Dentsu India chief creative officer Malvika Mehra said, “Good work is mostly the outcome of happy accidents – good clients colliding with good talent. Add a new location to the mix and one usually lands a winning combo. I’m glad to have managed to lure Krishna from ‘saddi Dilli’ to ‘namma Bengaluru’. Krishna has done some amazing work in the past and with the exciting roster of clients in our offices across South – Bangalore, Chennai, and Cochin, I am really looking forward to us creating some magical, new-age work together. With my time divided between the Mumbai and South offices, I can see many delightful evenings spent on the lawns of the Bangalore Club with our teams, cracking ideas that make our clients and Dentsu India famous.”

    Commenting on his joining, Krishna said, “When you have been in one place for 16 odd years, it’s not easy to leave. A nudge just doesn’t do, you need something way more exciting, more magnetic. That was what Malvika’s call for Dentsu India was for me. When she said there was a great opportunity to create something new, build something special, I was tempted. When she said it’s about leading the agency in the south markets, I was very interested. (Especially now when regional insights are becoming more and more important). When she said the clients are a mix of strong brands and bubbling start-ups, I was finally hooked. Add to this the support of the huge Dentsu Aegis Network; and yes, the weather of Bangalore. I was totally onboard. I have always had a vision of creating media agnostic communication, and today there’s no better place to begin doing that than Dentsu India Bangalore.”