ITV

Category: People

  • Gutenberg appoints Neil Ashurst as UK head

    Gutenberg appoints Neil Ashurst as UK head

    MUMBAI: Award-winning global agency Gutenberg has appointed Neil Ashurst as the director and country head for UK. This follows the company’s recent rebranding which formalises their offering as an integrated communications firm providing digital, content, social, video and public relations services.

    Neil has over 15 years of experience in the communications industry, working closely with content and marketing teams both in-house and cross-agencies to deliver campaigns that focus on business impact.

    “Neil’s knowledge of the UK market coupled with his passion for communications will allow Gutenberg clients to have a great ally in creating and implementing impactful digital, PR and communications campaigns. Neil’s insights on the changing nature of customer journey for brands reflect his focus on ensuring business impact for our clients. Neil will lead our growth and expansion plans for the UK and Europe from our office in London. Additionally, he will integrate with our US and India teams on global multi-geography clients,” said Gutenberg founder and CEO Harjiv Singh.

    Neil earlier worked at Performance Communications, working on the Nissan Europe account. He has also worked at well-known UK agencies Frank, Brands2Life and 3Monkeys Zeno on brands such as Microsoft and 3 Mobile. Additionally, he was the head of UK communications for retailer – Game, working closely with Xbox, Activision and EA on the retail launches of their biggest titles.

    “Our experience as story-tellers as well as our growing capabilities across all channels means that we have a fantastic opportunity and offering here in the UK as the industry continues to evolve,” said Ashurst.

    Globally, Gutenberg services industries such as technology, retail, financial services, real estate, healthcare, education, aviation, defence, hospitality, infrastructure and not-for-profit causes.

  • Dentsu Impact ropes in Megha Jain Sadhwani as VP

    Dentsu Impact ropes in Megha Jain Sadhwani as VP

    MUMBAI: Dentsu Impact, the creative agency from Dentsu Aegis Network that has been in the news recently for its wins on Maruti Suzuki digital and IKEA, has strengthened its account management team by roping in Megha Jai Sadhwani as the vice-president. She will report to Dentsu Impact president Amit Wadhwa.

    This is Megha’s second innings at Dentsu Impact. She worked with the agency for four years before moving to Australia last year. Prior to joining Dentsu Impact, Megha worked with Saatchi & Saatchi in Sydney, where she was responsible for the Mondelez business – Cadbury chocolates, The Natural Confectionery Company and Sour Patch Kids.

    “Coming back to Dentsu is like coming back to family for me. The agency houses some of the best minds in the industry and working with such people is always exciting and inspiring. Adding to that is the fact that this is probably the most forward thinking agency in the industry right now, one that has evolved its brand solutions for clients in the most innovative and integrated manner. I’m really looking forward to be part of this evolution and also applying my learnings from the Australian market here,” Megha said.

    Other agencies that Megha has worked with include JWT & Publicis, where she handled communication for Pepsi, Nestle chocolates & Nestle Maggi. She also donned the hat of a marketer and worked at Adidas India before making her return to advertising.

    Wadhwa said, “Megha is valuable asset wherever she works. What sets her apart is her passion towards brand building and people. With Dentsu Impact growing at a rapid pace we certainly need the right people around to ensure we don’t loose momentum and that’s why the moment she decided to come back to India, getting her back in the team was an easy decision.”

  • Dentsu Impact ropes in Megha Jain Sadhwani as VP

    Dentsu Impact ropes in Megha Jain Sadhwani as VP

    MUMBAI: Dentsu Impact, the creative agency from Dentsu Aegis Network that has been in the news recently for its wins on Maruti Suzuki digital and IKEA, has strengthened its account management team by roping in Megha Jai Sadhwani as the vice-president. She will report to Dentsu Impact president Amit Wadhwa.

    This is Megha’s second innings at Dentsu Impact. She worked with the agency for four years before moving to Australia last year. Prior to joining Dentsu Impact, Megha worked with Saatchi & Saatchi in Sydney, where she was responsible for the Mondelez business – Cadbury chocolates, The Natural Confectionery Company and Sour Patch Kids.

    “Coming back to Dentsu is like coming back to family for me. The agency houses some of the best minds in the industry and working with such people is always exciting and inspiring. Adding to that is the fact that this is probably the most forward thinking agency in the industry right now, one that has evolved its brand solutions for clients in the most innovative and integrated manner. I’m really looking forward to be part of this evolution and also applying my learnings from the Australian market here,” Megha said.

    Other agencies that Megha has worked with include JWT & Publicis, where she handled communication for Pepsi, Nestle chocolates & Nestle Maggi. She also donned the hat of a marketer and worked at Adidas India before making her return to advertising.

    Wadhwa said, “Megha is valuable asset wherever she works. What sets her apart is her passion towards brand building and people. With Dentsu Impact growing at a rapid pace we certainly need the right people around to ensure we don’t loose momentum and that’s why the moment she decided to come back to India, getting her back in the team was an easy decision.”

  • Damon Xi new UCWeb India GM

    Damon Xi new UCWeb India GM

    MUMBAI: UCWeb, an Alibaba Mobile Business Group Company, has announced the appointment of Damon Xi as the general manager for UCWeb India. The move will make Damon in charge of the strategic alliance and business development for the company in India.

    UC Browser has reached a milestone of 100 million MAUs in India and with a market share of 57% (as per Stat Counter), UC Browser is the largest mobile browser in India.

    Alibaba Mobile Business Group general manager of overseas business Kenny Ye said, “Bringing in Damon will enable the team in India to work and keep up with the dynamicity. Damon with his strategic abilities and immense managing associations in the internet industry is the ideal candidate.”

    Damon was earlier working for Tencent and has over 12 years of professional experience in internet and telecom industry. He said, “The decision to head UCWeb in India could not come at a better time. The Indian mobile internet landscape is the most exciting place to be at.”

    With a strategy of digitising entertainment, UCWeb in India recently collaborated with various entertainment based activities be it movie promotions with “Ae Dil Hai Mushkil”, TV Shows with its partnership with Colors TV shows such as Jhalak Dikhla Ja and Bigg Boss or Book Releases with Chetan Bhagat’s recent bestseller, One Indian Girl.

  • Damon Xi new UCWeb India GM

    Damon Xi new UCWeb India GM

    MUMBAI: UCWeb, an Alibaba Mobile Business Group Company, has announced the appointment of Damon Xi as the general manager for UCWeb India. The move will make Damon in charge of the strategic alliance and business development for the company in India.

    UC Browser has reached a milestone of 100 million MAUs in India and with a market share of 57% (as per Stat Counter), UC Browser is the largest mobile browser in India.

    Alibaba Mobile Business Group general manager of overseas business Kenny Ye said, “Bringing in Damon will enable the team in India to work and keep up with the dynamicity. Damon with his strategic abilities and immense managing associations in the internet industry is the ideal candidate.”

    Damon was earlier working for Tencent and has over 12 years of professional experience in internet and telecom industry. He said, “The decision to head UCWeb in India could not come at a better time. The Indian mobile internet landscape is the most exciting place to be at.”

    With a strategy of digitising entertainment, UCWeb in India recently collaborated with various entertainment based activities be it movie promotions with “Ae Dil Hai Mushkil”, TV Shows with its partnership with Colors TV shows such as Jhalak Dikhla Ja and Bigg Boss or Book Releases with Chetan Bhagat’s recent bestseller, One Indian Girl.

  • Saurabh Varma elevated as Publicis Communications’ India CEO

    Saurabh Varma elevated as Publicis Communications’ India CEO

    MUMBAI: Publicis Communications has elevated the incumbent Leo Burnett South Asia CEO Saurabh Varma as the CEO of Publicis Communications India. Varma’s appointment comes on top of his existing responsibilities.

    To be based in Mumbai, Varma, as well other country leaders — Nakul Chopra and Praveen Kenneth, will continue reporting to Loris Nold, global COO of Publicis Communications, in charge of the APAC & MEA region. In the Indian sub-continent, Publicis Communications comprises Leo Burnett, Publicis India, Law & Kenneth | Saatchi & Saatchi, Orchard India, MSLGROUP, Publicis Ambience, Publicis Capital, Indigo iStrat and Publicis Beehive.

    Nold commented, “With Saurabh leading our India efforts, I am very confident that we will drive significant acceleration across Publicis Communications, ultimately for the direct benefit of our clients.”

    Varma added, “I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to help our creative brands fully leverage the strength of our collective expertise around digital, shopper marketing, PR and production platforms. In my mind, Publicis Communications is first and foremost about giving our clients full access to our capabilities, talent and resources across the country, as our aim is to deliver end-to-end solutions to all of our clients.”

    Varma was appointed the CEO of Leo Burnett India in 2013, and, a year later, was elevated to the current south Asia role. He has about 20 years of industry experience, seven of which were spent as the chief strategy officer for south Asia, in Singapore.

  • Saurabh Varma elevated as Publicis Communications’ India CEO

    Saurabh Varma elevated as Publicis Communications’ India CEO

    MUMBAI: Publicis Communications has elevated the incumbent Leo Burnett South Asia CEO Saurabh Varma as the CEO of Publicis Communications India. Varma’s appointment comes on top of his existing responsibilities.

    To be based in Mumbai, Varma, as well other country leaders — Nakul Chopra and Praveen Kenneth, will continue reporting to Loris Nold, global COO of Publicis Communications, in charge of the APAC & MEA region. In the Indian sub-continent, Publicis Communications comprises Leo Burnett, Publicis India, Law & Kenneth | Saatchi & Saatchi, Orchard India, MSLGROUP, Publicis Ambience, Publicis Capital, Indigo iStrat and Publicis Beehive.

    Nold commented, “With Saurabh leading our India efforts, I am very confident that we will drive significant acceleration across Publicis Communications, ultimately for the direct benefit of our clients.”

    Varma added, “I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to help our creative brands fully leverage the strength of our collective expertise around digital, shopper marketing, PR and production platforms. In my mind, Publicis Communications is first and foremost about giving our clients full access to our capabilities, talent and resources across the country, as our aim is to deliver end-to-end solutions to all of our clients.”

    Varma was appointed the CEO of Leo Burnett India in 2013, and, a year later, was elevated to the current south Asia role. He has about 20 years of industry experience, seven of which were spent as the chief strategy officer for south Asia, in Singapore.

  • Microland appoints Purnima Menon as chief marketing officer

    Microland appoints Purnima Menon as chief marketing officer

    MUMBAI: Microland, the Hybrid IT Infrastructure Service Provider, has appointed Purnima Menon as chief marketing officer.

    Based out of Microland’s corporate headquarters in Bangalore Menon will be responsible for all marketing functions including global business, strategic marketing, sales enablement and corporate communications to drive demand and growth for Microland.

    “We are very pleased to welcome Purnima to the Microland team. Purnima brings in extraordinary business expertise and marketing leadership to Microland. She is well recognised for developing strategies that have accelerated growth and built brands of some of the words most successful technology companies. Purnima’s insight and industry knowledge will help us elevate the Microland brand, stimulate increased demand for our solutions and services as well drive revenue growth. As we look ahead to the future of Microland, I am confident that Purnima will be a catalyst for change as we continue to execute our initiatives across our geographies,” said Microland Limited chairman and MD Pradeep Kar.

    “Microland is well poised for its next decade of growth in helping customers leverage the Hybrid IT infrastructure world. My aim will be to apply my expertise and leverage industry trends to further develop Microland’s revenue growth across the globe,” Menon.

    Menon joins Microland with over 19 years of experience, providing marketing and strategic thought leadership to large organizations. Prior to joining Microland, Purnima was the Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of a global IT Services Company. Her earlier stints included Head of Marketing at Infosys BPO and Head of Marcom & PR at Avaya GlobalConnect. Purnima is the recipient of numerous recognitions, including the Gold Winner in Online & Social Marketing, Awards for Excellence in Brand Management as well been chosen to the prestigious 100 most talented Global Marketing Leaders.

  • Microland appoints Purnima Menon as chief marketing officer

    Microland appoints Purnima Menon as chief marketing officer

    MUMBAI: Microland, the Hybrid IT Infrastructure Service Provider, has appointed Purnima Menon as chief marketing officer.

    Based out of Microland’s corporate headquarters in Bangalore Menon will be responsible for all marketing functions including global business, strategic marketing, sales enablement and corporate communications to drive demand and growth for Microland.

    “We are very pleased to welcome Purnima to the Microland team. Purnima brings in extraordinary business expertise and marketing leadership to Microland. She is well recognised for developing strategies that have accelerated growth and built brands of some of the words most successful technology companies. Purnima’s insight and industry knowledge will help us elevate the Microland brand, stimulate increased demand for our solutions and services as well drive revenue growth. As we look ahead to the future of Microland, I am confident that Purnima will be a catalyst for change as we continue to execute our initiatives across our geographies,” said Microland Limited chairman and MD Pradeep Kar.

    “Microland is well poised for its next decade of growth in helping customers leverage the Hybrid IT infrastructure world. My aim will be to apply my expertise and leverage industry trends to further develop Microland’s revenue growth across the globe,” Menon.

    Menon joins Microland with over 19 years of experience, providing marketing and strategic thought leadership to large organizations. Prior to joining Microland, Purnima was the Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of a global IT Services Company. Her earlier stints included Head of Marketing at Infosys BPO and Head of Marcom & PR at Avaya GlobalConnect. Purnima is the recipient of numerous recognitions, including the Gold Winner in Online & Social Marketing, Awards for Excellence in Brand Management as well been chosen to the prestigious 100 most talented Global Marketing Leaders.

  • Anita Karnik is new SVP at Sniper

    Anita Karnik is new SVP at Sniper

    MUMBAi: In line with its recent senior management restructuring, The 120 Media Collective has brought in former Mindshare principal partner, Anita Karnik, as the senior vice-president and business head for Sniper, the commercials & content production arm of the company.

    She takes over from Chahna Rupani, and will report to the founder and CEO Roopak Saluja.

    The announcement comes shortly after the appointments of Kaizad Pardiwalla as president, and Abinandan Bose as creative director respectively, for Jack in the Box Worldwide, the company’s integrated communications agency.

    Commenting on joining Sniper, Karnik said, “I am delighted to join Sniper, which has always been a front runner (in its erstwhile Bang Bang Film days and thereafter as Sniper itself) in the business of Content – spanning commercials and multiscreen content. I look forward to creating some more magic, especially in this ‘Lean-in’ era.”

    “The creation of Sniper a couple of years ago, from its antecedent Bang Bang Films, was a prescient move in line with where the industry has now moved to. Anita joins us at the perfect time to capitalize on the seriousness with which brands are viewing content and allocating investments towards video. Her multi-format, multi-platform content experience is bound to prove invaluable while leading Sniper towards market leadership in a fast-evolving space,” added Saluja.