ITV

Category: People

  • Hari Krishnan is new Lowe Lintas president – South

    Hari Krishnan is new Lowe Lintas president – South

    MUMBAI: Lowe Lintas has announced that Hari Krishnan is the new president of its South operations. This appointment comes on the back of GV Krishnan’s recent exit.

    To be based out of Bengaluru, his remit includes the agency’s offices in Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad. As the largest creative agency in South region, the portfolio includes over a 100 clients and brands such as Arvind, Britannia, Fastrack, Flipkart, Gold Drop, Hike, ITC Foods, MRF, Mobizz, Paperboat, Sonata, Tanishq, TI Cycles, TVS Motors and many other companies and brands.

    Krishnan, currently CEO of MullenLowe’s operations in Sri Lanka is in the process of transitioning into his new role.

    He had joined MullenLowe early 2015 from Grey India where he was heading their South operations.

    Hari has about 20 years of experience in the advertising and media industry; having spent most of it between Lowe Lintas, JWT, Star TV and Grey.

    Commenting on his move, MullenLowe Lintas Group, India Group CEO Joseph George said:“Hari has done an incredible job in Sri Lanka almost transforming our operations there overnight. Going by his track record across the agencies he has worked in, he is just the right person we need to build on the fantastic momentum that the South operations of Lowe Lintas have achieved over the past 3-4 years in terms of creative product and new business acquisition. Both of which, Hari is rabidly passionate about.”

    Hari Krishnan too added, “This is a homecoming of sorts for me since my association with Lowe Lintas almost 18 years ago started in the Bengaluru office. The India operations of Lowe Lintas has been on an unbelievable roll the past few years and my mandate is clear. The talent in our 3 offices in the South, especially the creative fire-power under Rajesh Ramaswamy’s leadership is just reassuringly and intimidatingly brilliant. Can’t wait to get started!”

    Speaking of succession for MullenLowe Sri Lanka, Joseph George said, “Our Sri Lanka operations are in a sweet spot thanks to all the efforts made in the past 18 months under Hari’s leadership and some fantastic clients. And we are perfectly poised to build on from here; which is why Hari’s replacement for the Sri Lanka CEO’s role is crucial; and so I am very pleased with whom we have found. The announcement will take place in a few days.”

  • ChyronHego appoints Neil Foster as COO and CFO

    ChyronHego appoints Neil Foster as COO and CFO

    MUMBAI: With an aim of continuing its global growth both organically and through acquisitions, ChyronHego’s has appointment Neil Foster as chief operating officer and chief financial officer. Foster will be based at the ChyronHego headquarters in Melville, New York reporting directly to the company’s president and CEO Johan Apel.

    “We’re very privileged to welcome Neil to our senior management team as we continue to deepen and scale our operations in support of our continued expansion in global markets,” said Apel. Adding further, “With his rich experience in executive-level management at high-profile, global enterprises, Neil will play a valued leadership role in our rapidly growing company.”

    Foster brings to ChyronHego more than 25 years of executive experience in various strategic, operational, financial, and corporate development roles at the nexus of media, technology, and entertainment.

    “I am thrilled to join ChyronHego and Johan’s team at this exciting time in the company’s evolution,” Foster added. “With innovative products and services that empower graphics and data for the broadcast and sports industries, ChyronHego is well-positioned as a leader in one of technology’s most attractive vertical markets for software applications. I’m looking forward to applying my strategic, operational, and financial expertise to help ChyronHego create value for shareholders.”

    Prior to joining ChyronHego, he served as executive vice president, operations, for Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. He has also held a number of roles in the recorded music business, including executive vice president, finance and operations, for the Columbia/Epic Label Group of Sony Music Entertainment, and co-president of Sony Music Entertainment Canada. Foster’s early career included positions at McKinsey & Company Inc. and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

  • ChyronHego appoints Neil Foster as COO and CFO

    ChyronHego appoints Neil Foster as COO and CFO

    MUMBAI: With an aim of continuing its global growth both organically and through acquisitions, ChyronHego’s has appointment Neil Foster as chief operating officer and chief financial officer. Foster will be based at the ChyronHego headquarters in Melville, New York reporting directly to the company’s president and CEO Johan Apel.

    “We’re very privileged to welcome Neil to our senior management team as we continue to deepen and scale our operations in support of our continued expansion in global markets,” said Apel. Adding further, “With his rich experience in executive-level management at high-profile, global enterprises, Neil will play a valued leadership role in our rapidly growing company.”

    Foster brings to ChyronHego more than 25 years of executive experience in various strategic, operational, financial, and corporate development roles at the nexus of media, technology, and entertainment.

    “I am thrilled to join ChyronHego and Johan’s team at this exciting time in the company’s evolution,” Foster added. “With innovative products and services that empower graphics and data for the broadcast and sports industries, ChyronHego is well-positioned as a leader in one of technology’s most attractive vertical markets for software applications. I’m looking forward to applying my strategic, operational, and financial expertise to help ChyronHego create value for shareholders.”

    Prior to joining ChyronHego, he served as executive vice president, operations, for Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. He has also held a number of roles in the recorded music business, including executive vice president, finance and operations, for the Columbia/Epic Label Group of Sony Music Entertainment, and co-president of Sony Music Entertainment Canada. Foster’s early career included positions at McKinsey & Company Inc. and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

  • Gurpreet Wadhwa is MEC Vietnam’s Head of Digital

    Gurpreet Wadhwa is MEC Vietnam’s Head of Digital

    MUMBAI : MEC has appointed Gurpreet Wadhwa as the new Head of Digital of their Vietnam office.

    In his new role, Gurpreet Wadhwa’s main focus will be leading the digital team in developing the core digital strength of the agency and bring new thinking and capability to the fast growing MEC Vietnam. Gurpreet Wadhwa has more than eight years of experience working on the forefront of digital transformation and this experience makes him the right person to further fuel MEC’s digital expansion in the dynamic Vietnam market.

    Gurpreet Wadhwa will be reporting to MEC Vietnam MD Arup Bansal,who commented: “This is an investment into our digital expertise and growing client portfolio. We are committed to add depth to the dynamic digital conversations with a seasoned communication professional like Gurpreet in the lead.”

    Speaking on his appointment, Wadhwa said, “I am very excited to join MEC Vietnam, one of the fastest growing agencies in the country. Vietnam as a market is full of opportunities and challenges and I am looking forward to contribute to making MEC Vietnam a stronger partner for its clients.”

  • Gurpreet Wadhwa is MEC Vietnam’s Head of Digital

    Gurpreet Wadhwa is MEC Vietnam’s Head of Digital

    MUMBAI : MEC has appointed Gurpreet Wadhwa as the new Head of Digital of their Vietnam office.

    In his new role, Gurpreet Wadhwa’s main focus will be leading the digital team in developing the core digital strength of the agency and bring new thinking and capability to the fast growing MEC Vietnam. Gurpreet Wadhwa has more than eight years of experience working on the forefront of digital transformation and this experience makes him the right person to further fuel MEC’s digital expansion in the dynamic Vietnam market.

    Gurpreet Wadhwa will be reporting to MEC Vietnam MD Arup Bansal,who commented: “This is an investment into our digital expertise and growing client portfolio. We are committed to add depth to the dynamic digital conversations with a seasoned communication professional like Gurpreet in the lead.”

    Speaking on his appointment, Wadhwa said, “I am very excited to join MEC Vietnam, one of the fastest growing agencies in the country. Vietnam as a market is full of opportunities and challenges and I am looking forward to contribute to making MEC Vietnam a stronger partner for its clients.”

  • Srinivasan K Swamy to receive AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award 2016

    Srinivasan K Swamy to receive AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award 2016

    MUMBAI: The Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) announced the recipient of this year’s AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award as Srinivasan K Swamy popularly known as Sundar Swamy. This Award is the highest honour to be given to an individual in India for his/her outstanding contribution to the Advertising Industry. This award was instituted in 1988 by AAAI and so far 23 persons have been bestowed with it earlier.

    Swamy is the chairman of R K Swamy Hansa , a prominent and well diversified marketing communications group. Since inception in 1973 as an advertising agency, the Group interests currently include creative & media, interactive & digital, health care communications, social & rural sector, communication, human resources communication, marketing analytics, market research, events & activation, retail identity, public relations, continuing medical education, global language work etc.

    Making the announcement, AAAI president Dr. M G Parameswaran, stated that “If there is one person who has tirelessly worked for the advertising industry, for over two decades, in various industry bodies, it is Sundar Swamy. So in a sense it was an easy choice this year. We are hopeful that AAAI and its member agencies will have his continued involvement and inputs as we navigate the ever changing terrain of advertising business.”

    Swamy has been active in various industry bodies working towards the growth and development of the Advertising industry. He was president of AAAI for three consecutive terms (2004 – 2007) and continues to take active interest in the activities of AAAI. He is the vice chairman of Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), and a board member of Audit Bureau of Circulations. Swamy was also president of All India Management Association during 2008-09. He was the president of The Madras Chamber of Commerce & Industry (2008-10), Madras Management Association (2001-02) and the Advertising Club, Madras (1988-89).

    He is serving his fourth term as the president of the India Chapter of International Advertising Association and was recently elected as senior vice president of International Advertising Association, the global body. Swamy is vice chairman of Asian Federation of Advertising Associations. Earlier he was chairman of Confederation of Asian Advertising Agency Associations during 2008-10.

    In addition, Swamy is actively involved with socially relevant institutions for the improvement of society viz. 220 bed, multi-discipline tertiary care, Hindu Mission Hospital at Chennai catering to the urban poor and the surrounding rural areas; chairman of Valluvar Gurukulam School Society which runs a school for 2,800 poor students, primarily girls and vice president of National Boys and Girls Education Society, a premium education institution in Central Chennai which runs three reputed schools. He is also chairman of Vidyadhanam and Annadhanam Trust, a Vedic Padasala of Sri Ahobila Mutt and trustee in the Consumers Association of India and CONCERT.

    The AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Swamy on 29th July 2016 in Mumbai.

  • Srinivasan K Swamy to receive AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award 2016

    Srinivasan K Swamy to receive AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award 2016

    MUMBAI: The Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) announced the recipient of this year’s AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award as Srinivasan K Swamy popularly known as Sundar Swamy. This Award is the highest honour to be given to an individual in India for his/her outstanding contribution to the Advertising Industry. This award was instituted in 1988 by AAAI and so far 23 persons have been bestowed with it earlier.

    Swamy is the chairman of R K Swamy Hansa , a prominent and well diversified marketing communications group. Since inception in 1973 as an advertising agency, the Group interests currently include creative & media, interactive & digital, health care communications, social & rural sector, communication, human resources communication, marketing analytics, market research, events & activation, retail identity, public relations, continuing medical education, global language work etc.

    Making the announcement, AAAI president Dr. M G Parameswaran, stated that “If there is one person who has tirelessly worked for the advertising industry, for over two decades, in various industry bodies, it is Sundar Swamy. So in a sense it was an easy choice this year. We are hopeful that AAAI and its member agencies will have his continued involvement and inputs as we navigate the ever changing terrain of advertising business.”

    Swamy has been active in various industry bodies working towards the growth and development of the Advertising industry. He was president of AAAI for three consecutive terms (2004 – 2007) and continues to take active interest in the activities of AAAI. He is the vice chairman of Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), and a board member of Audit Bureau of Circulations. Swamy was also president of All India Management Association during 2008-09. He was the president of The Madras Chamber of Commerce & Industry (2008-10), Madras Management Association (2001-02) and the Advertising Club, Madras (1988-89).

    He is serving his fourth term as the president of the India Chapter of International Advertising Association and was recently elected as senior vice president of International Advertising Association, the global body. Swamy is vice chairman of Asian Federation of Advertising Associations. Earlier he was chairman of Confederation of Asian Advertising Agency Associations during 2008-10.

    In addition, Swamy is actively involved with socially relevant institutions for the improvement of society viz. 220 bed, multi-discipline tertiary care, Hindu Mission Hospital at Chennai catering to the urban poor and the surrounding rural areas; chairman of Valluvar Gurukulam School Society which runs a school for 2,800 poor students, primarily girls and vice president of National Boys and Girls Education Society, a premium education institution in Central Chennai which runs three reputed schools. He is also chairman of Vidyadhanam and Annadhanam Trust, a Vedic Padasala of Sri Ahobila Mutt and trustee in the Consumers Association of India and CONCERT.

    The AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Swamy on 29th July 2016 in Mumbai.

  • Former PayU exec Saranjeet Singh joins Airtel Payments Bank as digital marketing head

    Former PayU exec Saranjeet Singh joins Airtel Payments Bank as digital marketing head

    MUMBAI: After his stint at the payment gateway company PayU India that spanned around three years, Saranjeet Singh has joined Airtel Payments Bank starting July 016.

    Singh will be responsible for sketching out the business’ digital marketing strategy with key focus on the service’s tentative launch in and around September 2016.

    As per industry insiders, he is currently reporting to the COO Shweta Aprameya, who was the founder of YTS Solutions that Airtel had acquired and rechristened as Airtel Money about a year ago. Earlier last month, Airtel’s senior executive Shashi Arora’s movement from its DTH business to Airtel Payments Bank as CEO created quite a buzz in the industry.

    With few months left for the its official launch, as well as that of its several competitions , Airtel Payments Bank is seeing major influx of talent from within the market.

  • Former PayU exec Saranjeet Singh joins Airtel Payments Bank as digital marketing head

    Former PayU exec Saranjeet Singh joins Airtel Payments Bank as digital marketing head

    MUMBAI: After his stint at the payment gateway company PayU India that spanned around three years, Saranjeet Singh has joined Airtel Payments Bank starting July 016.

    Singh will be responsible for sketching out the business’ digital marketing strategy with key focus on the service’s tentative launch in and around September 2016.

    As per industry insiders, he is currently reporting to the COO Shweta Aprameya, who was the founder of YTS Solutions that Airtel had acquired and rechristened as Airtel Money about a year ago. Earlier last month, Airtel’s senior executive Shashi Arora’s movement from its DTH business to Airtel Payments Bank as CEO created quite a buzz in the industry.

    With few months left for the its official launch, as well as that of its several competitions , Airtel Payments Bank is seeing major influx of talent from within the market.

  • FCB Ulka designates John Thangaraj as executive planning director for north

    FCB Ulka designates John Thangaraj as executive planning director for north

    MUMBAI: FCB Ulka Advertising today announced the appointment of John Thangaraj as Executive Planning Director – North. Thangaraj joins FCB Ulka from Mindshare, where he was Head of Strategy for the North. In his 14 year career he has worked across research, marketing, account planning and media at companies like Quantum, Adidas, Rediffusion, Lowe Lintas and GroupM.

    Speaking on his new role, John Thangaraj said, “Most people think of FCB as a legacy agency, with a rich heritage of strategic thinking and a strong base of long term clients. Which of course it is. But it’s also an agency that is reinventing itself for today with a strong focus on media neutral, idea out thinking that impacts consumer behavior in multiple ways across multiple contexts. One of my biggest mandates will be to drive this agenda and in Rohit, Suman and Debbie I have the perfect support system in which to do so.”

    FCB Ulka vice chairman and chief strategy officer, strategy planning Suman Srivastava said, “Modern marketing is all about integration. While today’s marketing communications landscape is woefully fragmented. As we strive towards providing our clients truly integrated brand solutions, we need people who have experience across diverse fields. That is why John’s experiences fits in so well with us. He has worked on a wide range of brands and categories from the creative agency side as well as the media agency side. He is a truly all round thinker and that is essential for integrated strategies.”

    FCB Ulka CEO Nitin Karkare said, “I am looking forward to working with John. He comes in at time when we have a great new team in Delhi with Debbie, Vasudha and Arijit. He will be our key resource in providing a larger strategic and business perspective to our clients through his varied experience across categories. His fresh thinking, enthusiasm and exposure will help us as we device integrated communication and engagement platforms to connect with the new changing consumers.”

    Beyond his work, John is an ardent animal lover, spends his free time playing with this two Labrador Retrievers and reading anything he can get his hands on – though with a remarkable bias towards horror, fantasy, sci-fi and comics.