Category: People

  • 3M India appoints Debarati Sen as MD; Amit Laroya elevated to 3M Korea MD

    3M India appoints Debarati Sen as MD; Amit Laroya elevated to 3M Korea MD

    MUMBAI: 3M India, the Indian subsidiary of US multinational conglomerate 3M Co., has announced the appointment of Debarati Sen as managing director of 3M India Limited and 3M Lanka Pvt. Ltd. The appointment came into with effect from 1 June 2016. Sen has taken the responsibility from Amit Laroya, who led the company for the past three years and is now moving to 3M Korea.

    In her new role, she will focus on innovation, aligning the organization closely to customer needs in the Indian marketplace. She will also look after 3M India’s local capabilities in the form of industry leading customer innovation centers, multiple manufacturing plans and top notch talent across functions positions it well for growth.

    On the occasion of her appointment, Sen, said, “Having been part of 3M for more than two decades, I am committed to building further the strong position that 3M has built over the years in India. The focus will be stronger than ever to provide innovative solutions to the Indian customer and help drive value through local technology and manufacturing. The endeavour is to work closely with the government to help realize ‘Make in India’ project a success.”

    3M India is a publicly traded company on the Bombay Stock Exchange and National stock exchange and claims to have an annual sales of Rs.2,103 cr in financial year 2015-16).

    Sen joined 3M in 1996 and has been a part of the organization for over two decades now. She has worked across various verticals and held key positions including CMO and global business director at 3M. Currently, she is the acting director of corporate sales operation at 3M’s corporate headquarters in St. Paul, USA.

    3M former MD Laroya added, “I am glad to handover this position to someone who has a proven track record both in India and the US. 3M India will benefit from her experience and leadership.”

  • Dentsu Webchutney appoints Samera Khan as EVP

    Dentsu Webchutney appoints Samera Khan as EVP

    MUMBAI: Dentsu Webchutney, the digital agency from the Dentsu Aegis Network, has roped in Samera Khan as EVP- Strategy and Planning. Samera will be based out of Mumbai and will report to Dentsu Webchutney CEO Sidharth Rao.

    As part of her new mandate, Khan will head creative strategy and planning for the agency across its offices in Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru.

    Commenting on her appointment, Khan said, “I am excited about this new role that I take on with Dentsu Webchutney. They have a unique way of approaching digital advertising with a spot-on understanding of culture and technology. And to partner with a distinct set of creative and strategic talent makes this even more exciting and challenging.”

    Commenting on the appointment, Rao said, “Dentsu Webchutney has entered its next phase of growth and it’s absolutely essential for us that we use the right kind of partners to steer this growth forward. Samera has immense international experience along with advertising experience in India on some of the biggest brands in the world. This gives her a unique edge on strategy and understanding of the human mind. This will add to the strength that holds the Dentsu Webchutney fort together. I am extremely happy to welcome her on board.”

    With more than 12 years of experience, Khan has worked with agencies including Ogilvy, DraftFCB and Havas Worldwide.

    Some of the brands that Samera has worked on internationally and in India include Vodafone, Nestlé, Unilever, Volkswagen, Porsche, Hyundai, Mitsubishi, IKEA, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, The Economist, HDFC Bank, BPCL, Sanofi and Hockey India to name a few.

  • Dentsu Webchutney appoints Samera Khan as EVP

    Dentsu Webchutney appoints Samera Khan as EVP

    MUMBAI: Dentsu Webchutney, the digital agency from the Dentsu Aegis Network, has roped in Samera Khan as EVP- Strategy and Planning. Samera will be based out of Mumbai and will report to Dentsu Webchutney CEO Sidharth Rao.

    As part of her new mandate, Khan will head creative strategy and planning for the agency across its offices in Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru.

    Commenting on her appointment, Khan said, “I am excited about this new role that I take on with Dentsu Webchutney. They have a unique way of approaching digital advertising with a spot-on understanding of culture and technology. And to partner with a distinct set of creative and strategic talent makes this even more exciting and challenging.”

    Commenting on the appointment, Rao said, “Dentsu Webchutney has entered its next phase of growth and it’s absolutely essential for us that we use the right kind of partners to steer this growth forward. Samera has immense international experience along with advertising experience in India on some of the biggest brands in the world. This gives her a unique edge on strategy and understanding of the human mind. This will add to the strength that holds the Dentsu Webchutney fort together. I am extremely happy to welcome her on board.”

    With more than 12 years of experience, Khan has worked with agencies including Ogilvy, DraftFCB and Havas Worldwide.

    Some of the brands that Samera has worked on internationally and in India include Vodafone, Nestlé, Unilever, Volkswagen, Porsche, Hyundai, Mitsubishi, IKEA, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, The Economist, HDFC Bank, BPCL, Sanofi and Hockey India to name a few.

  • Leo Burnett’s Dheeraj Sinha invited to speak at the Next 4 Billion Seminar, by the Innovation Centre Denmark

    Leo Burnett’s Dheeraj Sinha invited to speak at the Next 4 Billion Seminar, by the Innovation Centre Denmark

    MUMBAI: The seminar is scheduled on the 9th and 10th June in two cities of Denmark Copenhagen and Aarhus, respectively. Orgainsed by the Innovation Centre Denmark, the seminar aims to bring insights about the changing consumer dynamics of India, China and Brazil.

    Three international speakers, namely, Dheeraj Sinha from Leo Burnett Group (India), Carolina Nacle from Data Popular (Brazil) and Mark Tanner from China Skinny (China) will throw light on these mega markets that comprise the next 4 billion consumers.

    Designed for the Danish small, medium and large sized businesses, the seminar will address how innovative business models and product adaptation can help companies develop the right strategy and mindset to be successful in these markets.

    H.E. Peter Taksøe-Jensen, Ambassador of Denmark to India, says, “We are excited about the growth and the positive change that India is going through. India along with the other emerging markets like Brazil and China present a big opportunity for businesses in Denmark. Dheeraj is an expert in understanding the cusp of cultural and consumption change in India. Through this seminar, I believe we will be able to answer some of the key concerns of Danish audience about India and other geographies.”

    Dheeraj Sinha, Chief Strategy Officer, South Asia, Leo Burnett, says, “The Indian middle-class market has proved to be an opportunity for many while it has turned out to be an opportunity-lost for many others. My recent work has been to decipher the patterns behind what makes for success and failure in India. I am looking forward to discussing the changing dynamics of the middle class consumers with experts from other markets and the business community of Denmark.”

  • Leo Burnett’s Dheeraj Sinha invited to speak at the Next 4 Billion Seminar, by the Innovation Centre Denmark

    Leo Burnett’s Dheeraj Sinha invited to speak at the Next 4 Billion Seminar, by the Innovation Centre Denmark

    MUMBAI: The seminar is scheduled on the 9th and 10th June in two cities of Denmark Copenhagen and Aarhus, respectively. Orgainsed by the Innovation Centre Denmark, the seminar aims to bring insights about the changing consumer dynamics of India, China and Brazil.

    Three international speakers, namely, Dheeraj Sinha from Leo Burnett Group (India), Carolina Nacle from Data Popular (Brazil) and Mark Tanner from China Skinny (China) will throw light on these mega markets that comprise the next 4 billion consumers.

    Designed for the Danish small, medium and large sized businesses, the seminar will address how innovative business models and product adaptation can help companies develop the right strategy and mindset to be successful in these markets.

    H.E. Peter Taksøe-Jensen, Ambassador of Denmark to India, says, “We are excited about the growth and the positive change that India is going through. India along with the other emerging markets like Brazil and China present a big opportunity for businesses in Denmark. Dheeraj is an expert in understanding the cusp of cultural and consumption change in India. Through this seminar, I believe we will be able to answer some of the key concerns of Danish audience about India and other geographies.”

    Dheeraj Sinha, Chief Strategy Officer, South Asia, Leo Burnett, says, “The Indian middle-class market has proved to be an opportunity for many while it has turned out to be an opportunity-lost for many others. My recent work has been to decipher the patterns behind what makes for success and failure in India. I am looking forward to discussing the changing dynamics of the middle class consumers with experts from other markets and the business community of Denmark.”

  • Motivator appoints Upali Nag as National Head-Insights and Innovation

    Motivator appoints Upali Nag as National Head-Insights and Innovation

    MUMBAI: Motivator, a GroupM agency, has appointed Upali Nag as National Head – Insights and Innovation. Upali will work out of the agency’s Bangalore office and will report to V.Narayanan, Chief Growth Officer, Motivator. Her role will involve providing strategic business solutions and data-driven insights to Motivator’s growing client base besides building the business and project consulting practice.

    Speaking on the new addition to the team,Motivator MD Rabe Iyer said, “In the last couple of years, we have been fast tracking our journey to build a strong client business performance framework and product. Upali has fantastic experience to build sustainable strategies to deliver to broader client conversations. Upali will distinctly add value to nailing the clients’ central challenges in the context of marketing and manageable interventions. She will partner with Motivator, GroupM and WPP units to build a strategic framework to address the same. Her ability to identify and use the right lens in addressing client business issues will further fuel our performance centricity.”

    On her new assignment, Nag added, “I am extremely excited and happy to join Motivator- India. GroupM has always been ahead of the industry in terms of its vision and commitment towards building knowledge and people assets which are geared for the future. This, combined with the fact that most of the Motivator clients are intrinsically Indian clients, makes the journey even more interesting and exciting. This is my second stint at GroupM, and in many ways, feels no less than a homecoming.”

    An alumnus of MICA Ahmedabad, Upali brings to Motivator a rich experience of 18 years in media strategy, planning and development of business solutions. She started her career with the then known, Initiative Media, Lintas and since then has been associated with companies like Universal McCann, Starcom Mediavest Group, Yahoo and GroupM. Some of the brands she has worked on include TVS, Tata Tea, Himalaya Wellness, Wipro Consumer Care and SAB Miller among others.

    Upali Nag also has substantial experience in setting up organization teams, processes and in strategic consulting. Following her business consulting practice, she has successfully driven projects on Consumer Understanding, Business Development, CRM, Business Analytics, Data Solutions and Identifying Performance Metrics.

  • Motivator appoints Upali Nag as National Head-Insights and Innovation

    Motivator appoints Upali Nag as National Head-Insights and Innovation

    MUMBAI: Motivator, a GroupM agency, has appointed Upali Nag as National Head – Insights and Innovation. Upali will work out of the agency’s Bangalore office and will report to V.Narayanan, Chief Growth Officer, Motivator. Her role will involve providing strategic business solutions and data-driven insights to Motivator’s growing client base besides building the business and project consulting practice.

    Speaking on the new addition to the team,Motivator MD Rabe Iyer said, “In the last couple of years, we have been fast tracking our journey to build a strong client business performance framework and product. Upali has fantastic experience to build sustainable strategies to deliver to broader client conversations. Upali will distinctly add value to nailing the clients’ central challenges in the context of marketing and manageable interventions. She will partner with Motivator, GroupM and WPP units to build a strategic framework to address the same. Her ability to identify and use the right lens in addressing client business issues will further fuel our performance centricity.”

    On her new assignment, Nag added, “I am extremely excited and happy to join Motivator- India. GroupM has always been ahead of the industry in terms of its vision and commitment towards building knowledge and people assets which are geared for the future. This, combined with the fact that most of the Motivator clients are intrinsically Indian clients, makes the journey even more interesting and exciting. This is my second stint at GroupM, and in many ways, feels no less than a homecoming.”

    An alumnus of MICA Ahmedabad, Upali brings to Motivator a rich experience of 18 years in media strategy, planning and development of business solutions. She started her career with the then known, Initiative Media, Lintas and since then has been associated with companies like Universal McCann, Starcom Mediavest Group, Yahoo and GroupM. Some of the brands she has worked on include TVS, Tata Tea, Himalaya Wellness, Wipro Consumer Care and SAB Miller among others.

    Upali Nag also has substantial experience in setting up organization teams, processes and in strategic consulting. Following her business consulting practice, she has successfully driven projects on Consumer Understanding, Business Development, CRM, Business Analytics, Data Solutions and Identifying Performance Metrics.

  • McCann appoints Sabyasachi Sengupta as national chief of films and content

    McCann appoints Sabyasachi Sengupta as national chief of films and content

    MUMBAI: Sabyasachi Sengupta popularly known as Zap has joined McCann Worldgroup India as National Chief of Films and Content effective from July 2016. Working from McCann Delhi he will have a national responsibility.

    On the appointment McCann India CCO and CEO and Asia Pacific chairman Prasoon Joshi commented, “Zap is from a rare breed of professionals who have integrity and unmatchable work ethic. He’s an exceptional creative mind and has also explored multiple disciplines of Advertising. He will add another dimension to McCann’s client offerings especially in today’s complex media world where he need for such layered talent is high.”

    Zap is a highly respected name in the Indian creative Industry. He began his career in Delhi two decades back, working at agencies like JWT and O&M and created some of the most famous work of the times- Pepsi- Nothing official about it, Adidas, Kit Kat- Have a break, Seagram’s -100 Pipers etc.

    Zap expressed his excitement for this new chapter “Films are the most powerful narratives of the contemporary world, and McCann has acquired a creative edge with its own unique signature. I look forward to further stimulating, synchronizing and streamlining the whole process within an expanded McCann framework.”

    He has been “Copywriter of the year” and won many other accolades. Zap in his second avatar became an Advertising Film maker and launched Gingerwater Films. He went on to direct some of highly significant work for brands like Nescafe, Saffola, Vaseline, Maggi, Bajaj, Carat lane, Stayfree etc.

  • McCann appoints Sabyasachi Sengupta as national chief of films and content

    McCann appoints Sabyasachi Sengupta as national chief of films and content

    MUMBAI: Sabyasachi Sengupta popularly known as Zap has joined McCann Worldgroup India as National Chief of Films and Content effective from July 2016. Working from McCann Delhi he will have a national responsibility.

    On the appointment McCann India CCO and CEO and Asia Pacific chairman Prasoon Joshi commented, “Zap is from a rare breed of professionals who have integrity and unmatchable work ethic. He’s an exceptional creative mind and has also explored multiple disciplines of Advertising. He will add another dimension to McCann’s client offerings especially in today’s complex media world where he need for such layered talent is high.”

    Zap is a highly respected name in the Indian creative Industry. He began his career in Delhi two decades back, working at agencies like JWT and O&M and created some of the most famous work of the times- Pepsi- Nothing official about it, Adidas, Kit Kat- Have a break, Seagram’s -100 Pipers etc.

    Zap expressed his excitement for this new chapter “Films are the most powerful narratives of the contemporary world, and McCann has acquired a creative edge with its own unique signature. I look forward to further stimulating, synchronizing and streamlining the whole process within an expanded McCann framework.”

    He has been “Copywriter of the year” and won many other accolades. Zap in his second avatar became an Advertising Film maker and launched Gingerwater Films. He went on to direct some of highly significant work for brands like Nescafe, Saffola, Vaseline, Maggi, Bajaj, Carat lane, Stayfree etc.

  • Famous Innovations appoints Ferzad Variyava as group creative director

    Famous Innovations appoints Ferzad Variyava as group creative director

    Mumbai: Famous Innovations has appointed two of senior level talents, Manish Ajgaonkar as senior creative director and Ferzad Variyava as group creative director, to head its creative team.

    With close to 18 years of experience in his kitty, Manish Ajgaonkar brings onboard his finely honed creative acumen after working with India’s top creative agencies like HTA, Publicis Ambience, Saatchi and Saatchi, Contract and Interface FCB to name a few. His work has been recognized in local and international award festivals and he has also been on the jury of Goafest for Design and Out-of-home categories.

    On his appointment Manish says, “With the changing needs of advertisers nowadays, I feel there are very few agencies that are actually changing their creative product and thinking to match. Famous has been one such agency that has rapidly grown over the years and has developed a strong creative culture.”

    Ferzad Variyava brings his 15 years of experience with prestigious agencies like the DDB Mudra Group, Publicis Ambience, Alok Nanda & Company and JWT. He has had the good fortune of helming teams on marquee brands like Volkswagen, Renault, Twitter, Thomas Cook, Tata Housing and Lodha Builders to name a few. His list of accolades spans both local and international award festivals over the years.

    Variyava candidly shares, “I have had the privilege of working with some of the most talented minds in my past agencies and I am now looking forward to working with Raj who I have always considered one of the most progressive people in the industry. I equally look forward to partnering Manish whose craft I have always admired. To me, an electric place like Famous is fertile ground to develop more inventive solutions for a newer, bolder breed of clients.”