ITV

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  • Kantar IMRB appoints Paru Minocha as head of qualitative business

    Kantar IMRB appoints Paru Minocha as head of qualitative business

    MUMBAI: Kantar IMRB, a leading market research company, announced the appointment of Paru Minocha as the head of qualitative business Unit. She has taken over from Rohini Abraham. Paru joined Kantar IMRB in Sept 2015 and is based in Mumbai. She will play a key role in leading the company’s go to market services & drive the growth of the Qualitative business pan India.

    Armed with over 20 years of experience in market research, Paru started her career as a qualitative researcher in MARG and went on to set up & head Synovate in Delhi. Having done this successfully, she moved to Mumbai to head Synovate pan India and subsequently, as head of innovation in IPSOS.

    Paru can boast of a well-rounded experience in Market Research, a mix of both Qualitative & Quantitative research. She has expertise in several sectors including Social, FMCG, Tobacco and Automotive.

    Kantar Insights CEO – South Asia Preeti Reddy said, ‘’Paru’s experience in both Qualitative and Quantitative will prove to be an asset. She brings in a deep understanding of research, complex business environments and client needs. Paru’s cross sector experience will certainly aid IMRB Qualitative to rise to greater heights under her stewardship”.

    Paru Minocha said, “I’m thrilled to be leading this role when the core Qualitative research is being redefined. I look forward to leveraging technology, social media data and marrying them with the primary survey data. This new approach is also reflected in how as a company we are organized and the investments that we are making in technology and digital. As Kantar IMRB, we have unique access to social data, proprietary syndicated data as well as strong partnerships with third party data owners. I strongly believe that qualitative research would form an integral part in decoding and making sense of the big data

    Paru has done B Com Honors from SRCC and holds MBA degree in Marketing and Finance from Xavier’s Institute of Management.

  • Ajit Sawant joins KnightsAD as MD

    Ajit Sawant joins KnightsAD as MD

    MUMBAI: Indian performance-based AD network & global affiliate partners KnightsAD Digital Media Associates has roped in Ajit Sawant as the co-founder and managing director. Sawant will be based out of Mumbai and his role will involve ensuring delivery of business prospects and meeting advertisers’ targets. In addition, he will look after the company’s financial aspects and management of publishers.

    With nearly a decade’s experience in the value added services (VAS) industry, Ajit joins KnightsAD from Techzone – an Eros International company, where he was responsible for business development as well as employee and client relation management.

    KnightsAD CEO Malik Gilani said, “Ajit’s insights will bring a new dimension to the way we view our consumers. With his level of business intellect and work ethics, we are sure KnightsAD will achieve greater heights.”

    Sawant said, “My formative years in the VAS industry and in-depth study about this field, have helped me develop strong fundamentals in this space. Mobile advertisers are providing targeted and personalized ads to cater to different market segments.”

    Prior to his role at Techzone, Sawant has worked with digital distribution and new media company, Shotformats Digital Productions.

    KnightsAd recently announced its expansion into Sri Lanka and the middle eastern regions of the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar. The company has partnered with the leading telecoms and content companies in the new regions. Their partners include Oreedoo in Kuwait and Qatar, DU in UAE and dialog in Sri Lanka.

  • Ajit Sawant joins KnightsAD as MD

    Ajit Sawant joins KnightsAD as MD

    MUMBAI: Indian performance-based AD network & global affiliate partners KnightsAD Digital Media Associates has roped in Ajit Sawant as the co-founder and managing director. Sawant will be based out of Mumbai and his role will involve ensuring delivery of business prospects and meeting advertisers’ targets. In addition, he will look after the company’s financial aspects and management of publishers.

    With nearly a decade’s experience in the value added services (VAS) industry, Ajit joins KnightsAD from Techzone – an Eros International company, where he was responsible for business development as well as employee and client relation management.

    KnightsAD CEO Malik Gilani said, “Ajit’s insights will bring a new dimension to the way we view our consumers. With his level of business intellect and work ethics, we are sure KnightsAD will achieve greater heights.”

    Sawant said, “My formative years in the VAS industry and in-depth study about this field, have helped me develop strong fundamentals in this space. Mobile advertisers are providing targeted and personalized ads to cater to different market segments.”

    Prior to his role at Techzone, Sawant has worked with digital distribution and new media company, Shotformats Digital Productions.

    KnightsAd recently announced its expansion into Sri Lanka and the middle eastern regions of the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar. The company has partnered with the leading telecoms and content companies in the new regions. Their partners include Oreedoo in Kuwait and Qatar, DU in UAE and dialog in Sri Lanka.

  • HUL’s Raghavan is now L’Oréal India’s CMO

    HUL’s Raghavan is now L’Oréal India’s CMO

    MUMBAI: L’Oréal India has appointed Shalini Raghavan as the chief marketing officer for its consumer products division. Raghavan will be responsible for driving overall marketing capability and strengthening digital initiatives to build a strong strategy for L’Oréal’s CPD brands – L’Oréal Paris, Garnier, Maybelline New York & NYX Professional Make up.

    In her new role, Raghavan will report into Jean-Christophe Letellier, MD – L’Oréal India and will oversee marketing, media, public relations and digital functions.

    Letellier said, “Shalini is an experienced marketing professional with a deep insight into the beauty business. Her international experience and knowledge of building organizational capacity in strategy, innovation and marketing will be prized as we look to grow our presence across the country.”

    “L’Oréal is the world leader in beauty for over a century and has grown this category in India with a blend of enterprise, insights and first to market innovations. I am deeply passionate about the beauty business and the opportunity to build on L’Oréal India’s leadership position is an exciting journey that I look forward to,” Raghavan added.

    Raghavan joins L’Oréal from Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), where she was the global brand director (Asian and African) of Dove Masterbrand.

  • HUL’s Raghavan is now L’Oréal India’s CMO

    HUL’s Raghavan is now L’Oréal India’s CMO

    MUMBAI: L’Oréal India has appointed Shalini Raghavan as the chief marketing officer for its consumer products division. Raghavan will be responsible for driving overall marketing capability and strengthening digital initiatives to build a strong strategy for L’Oréal’s CPD brands – L’Oréal Paris, Garnier, Maybelline New York & NYX Professional Make up.

    In her new role, Raghavan will report into Jean-Christophe Letellier, MD – L’Oréal India and will oversee marketing, media, public relations and digital functions.

    Letellier said, “Shalini is an experienced marketing professional with a deep insight into the beauty business. Her international experience and knowledge of building organizational capacity in strategy, innovation and marketing will be prized as we look to grow our presence across the country.”

    “L’Oréal is the world leader in beauty for over a century and has grown this category in India with a blend of enterprise, insights and first to market innovations. I am deeply passionate about the beauty business and the opportunity to build on L’Oréal India’s leadership position is an exciting journey that I look forward to,” Raghavan added.

    Raghavan joins L’Oréal from Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), where she was the global brand director (Asian and African) of Dove Masterbrand.

  • Vikram Sakhuja to chair EFFIE 2016; Mitrajit Bhattacharya will be co-chair

    Vikram Sakhuja to chair EFFIE 2016; Mitrajit Bhattacharya will be co-chair

    MUMBAI: The Advertising Club has appointed Madison World groyup CEO Vikram Sakhuja as president of EFFIES 2016. Chitralekha Group president and publisher Mitrajit Bhattacharya will be the co-chair of EFFIES 2016.

    Speaking of Sakhuja’s appointment, The Advertising Club president Raj Nayak said, “EFFIES has emerged as a coveted industry award that lauds campaigns and individuals delivering landmark brand solutions. Vikram has been an essential part of EFFIES 2015 and was instrumental in ensuring the awards success last year. I am delighted that Vikram will be at the helm of the prestigious awards this year too. I am confident that under his leadership the awards will gain further in repute, stature and scale. Wishing all the best to Vikram and the team.”

    Speaking about his new role Sakhuja said “It is a privilege to be chairing the EFFIES. It remains the one award that Agencies and client covet equally since it celebrates effectiveness. This year the EFFIES will be held in December, a little earlier than last year to ensure that Christmas and New Year is not spent working on entries. We look forward to again welcoming great work from all quarters.”

    EFFIES 2016 will continue to celebrate successful campaigns that drive the Media and Advertising industry towards now echelons of growth and scale.

  • Vikram Sakhuja to chair EFFIE 2016; Mitrajit Bhattacharya will be co-chair

    Vikram Sakhuja to chair EFFIE 2016; Mitrajit Bhattacharya will be co-chair

    MUMBAI: The Advertising Club has appointed Madison World groyup CEO Vikram Sakhuja as president of EFFIES 2016. Chitralekha Group president and publisher Mitrajit Bhattacharya will be the co-chair of EFFIES 2016.

    Speaking of Sakhuja’s appointment, The Advertising Club president Raj Nayak said, “EFFIES has emerged as a coveted industry award that lauds campaigns and individuals delivering landmark brand solutions. Vikram has been an essential part of EFFIES 2015 and was instrumental in ensuring the awards success last year. I am delighted that Vikram will be at the helm of the prestigious awards this year too. I am confident that under his leadership the awards will gain further in repute, stature and scale. Wishing all the best to Vikram and the team.”

    Speaking about his new role Sakhuja said “It is a privilege to be chairing the EFFIES. It remains the one award that Agencies and client covet equally since it celebrates effectiveness. This year the EFFIES will be held in December, a little earlier than last year to ensure that Christmas and New Year is not spent working on entries. We look forward to again welcoming great work from all quarters.”

    EFFIES 2016 will continue to celebrate successful campaigns that drive the Media and Advertising industry towards now echelons of growth and scale.

  • John Thankamony is Mindshare’s new head – programmatic

    John Thankamony is Mindshare’s new head – programmatic

    MUMBAI: Mindshare, one of India’s largest full service media agency, a part of GroupM, has announced the appointment of John Thankamony as head – programmatic.

    John will focus on driving programmatic adoption and the embracing of programmatic tools by Mindshare clients. This will include the development of FAST (Future Adaptive Specialist Teams), Mindshare’s solution for clients to harness the power of data. John will be setting guidelines to work with partners while ensuring that Mindshare’s clients have access to relevant and in-target audiences across quality and viewable inventory that is fraud free. He will also be responsible for harnessing data and technology products to drive performance and business results for clients.

    John will operate out of the Mumbai office and be regularly involved with the Bangalore and Gurgaon office. He will report to Vinod Thadani, Chief Digital Officer, South Asia, Mindshare.

    Mindshare, South Asia, chief digital officer, said, “John will be focusing on leading our existing programmatic offering and developing the programmatic adoption across our client portfolio. We are sure his ability to interpret strategy into the real time solution will bring in larger value for our clients.”

    Thankamony said, “The emphasis given by Mindshare to data and audiences is refreshing. India is at a defining moment in its internet journey with a lot of new digital entities cropping up in the market.”

    Thankamony brings to Mindshare a rich experience of almost a decade, including that of helping launch and run programmatic operations from Singapore for the SEA region. He has worked with companies like Amnet Asia, Google Inc, and CRISIL Ltd. He has product expertise in various programmatic platforms having run operations and analytics teams with expertise across multiple global and regional partners.

  • John Thankamony is Mindshare’s new head – programmatic

    John Thankamony is Mindshare’s new head – programmatic

    MUMBAI: Mindshare, one of India’s largest full service media agency, a part of GroupM, has announced the appointment of John Thankamony as head – programmatic.

    John will focus on driving programmatic adoption and the embracing of programmatic tools by Mindshare clients. This will include the development of FAST (Future Adaptive Specialist Teams), Mindshare’s solution for clients to harness the power of data. John will be setting guidelines to work with partners while ensuring that Mindshare’s clients have access to relevant and in-target audiences across quality and viewable inventory that is fraud free. He will also be responsible for harnessing data and technology products to drive performance and business results for clients.

    John will operate out of the Mumbai office and be regularly involved with the Bangalore and Gurgaon office. He will report to Vinod Thadani, Chief Digital Officer, South Asia, Mindshare.

    Mindshare, South Asia, chief digital officer, said, “John will be focusing on leading our existing programmatic offering and developing the programmatic adoption across our client portfolio. We are sure his ability to interpret strategy into the real time solution will bring in larger value for our clients.”

    Thankamony said, “The emphasis given by Mindshare to data and audiences is refreshing. India is at a defining moment in its internet journey with a lot of new digital entities cropping up in the market.”

    Thankamony brings to Mindshare a rich experience of almost a decade, including that of helping launch and run programmatic operations from Singapore for the SEA region. He has worked with companies like Amnet Asia, Google Inc, and CRISIL Ltd. He has product expertise in various programmatic platforms having run operations and analytics teams with expertise across multiple global and regional partners.

  • Chance to demonstrate proven global tools in India: Havas’s new digital head Nitin Karkara

    Chance to demonstrate proven global tools in India: Havas’s new digital head Nitin Karkara

    MUMBAI: Havas Media Group India has appointed Nitin Karkara as head – Digital, to promote and drive growth for the 360 degree digital offering of Havas Media in India for existing and new clients.

    Havas Media Group India and south Asia CEO Anita Nayyar said, “Nitin has the rare mix of leading from the front, both from the client and agency side. We’ve had tremendous organic digital expansion. Although, digital cum mobile has been a core part of every new business win, Havas Media today is a firmly established fully integrated media company providing both online and offline solutions. Collaboration is the cornerstone of our unified operating model, allowing us to deliver 100 per cent accountability and ideas that flourish without boundaries.”

    Havas Media Group India MD Mohit Joshi added, “Our Digital at the core and Meaningful Connections Planning philosophy has always impressed clients. Nitin will only add more value and strengthen our philosophy by nailing the clients’ challenges in the context of Digital & Mobile Marketing.”

    Karkara said, “Havas Media Group is one of the pioneers in bringing their integrated media and creative offerings with specialized proprietary global tools for developing strategy, planning, media buying, analytics, and reporting. This is a huge opportunity for me to demonstrate these proven global specialized tools and frameworks in the Indian market and create value for existing and new clients. This will also help us further integrate client businesses and successfully partner with them in their overall marketing stories.”

    Having graduated from University of British Columbia, Canada, Nitin brings to the agency, an experience of 16+ years in business development, brand strategy, product marketing, mobile and e-commerce. Nitin previously was the G.M. and Head of Digital (HHP Division), Cheil Worldwide and prior Digital Marketing Lead – India & South West Asia, The Coca-Cola Company. He started his career with Samsung and since then has been associated with companies like Sapient India, Microsoft in Wunderman, IBM, ITC Hotels, Manipal Education and Vodafone in OgilvyOne, Fritolays, GSK, Readers Digest and Tetrapak in ISHIR Digital.