Category: People

  • iProspect India appoints Mihir Mehta as director of Display Media

    iProspect India appoints Mihir Mehta as director of Display Media

    MUMBAI: iProspect India, the end-to-end digital agency from the Dentsu Aegis Network, has beefed up its Display team with the appointment of Mihir Mehta as Director of Display Media.

    Mehta joins with over 6 years of experience in the digital industry, previously holding the position of Digital Media Head at World Wide Open and Reliance Entertainment – Digital. Recognized as one of the top 50 most influential Digital Media Professionals in 2015 by World Marketing Congress, his portfolio of achievements includes increasing revenue and improving brand awareness through Digital platforms for brands in India and abroad.

    Commenting on the appointment, iProspect CEO Vivek Bhargava said, “Display is a huge part of online media as it has immense potential for growth. With Mihir on board, we are gearing up to take our Display services to a whole new level. We are really excited to welcome him to the team and look forward to the award winning campaigns that are to come.”

    From strategy to execution, media planning to buying, affiliates marketing, strategic partnerships and alliances, his focus has always been to drive value to the last cent for all clients. Mihir has experience in all major sectors, working actively on clients such as Reliance Group Companies (Reliance Communication, Reliance Mutual Fund, Reliance General Insurance, Reliance Life) Babyoye, Big Cinemas, SBI Life and Jockey, to name a few.

  • Saugato Bhowmik to head Viacom 18 Integrated Network Solutions, Jaideep Singh moves on

    Saugato Bhowmik to head Viacom 18 Integrated Network Solutions, Jaideep Singh moves on

    MUMBAI: Viacom18 has elevated Saugato Bhowmik as the head of its Integrated Network Solutions (INS) business unit. INS has been instrumental in developing brand solutions for consumers and live properties across music and entertainment genres. Bhowmik takes on the role from Jaideep Singh who will be moving on from the organization. Along with this new role, Bhowmik will continue to head the Consumer Products business line at Viacom18.

    Commenting on this development, Viacom18  Group CEO Sudhanshu  Vats said, “Saugato has rich experience in marketing and his expertise in consumer products has enabled us to monetize various brand properties through successful merchandising and licensing partnerships. We are confident that his sharp marketing sense and ability to mine consumer insights will help grow the INS business further. I would also like to take this opportunity to wish Jaideep the best for his future endeavors.”

    Vats further added, “We are taking this opportunity to build a fully ‘Integrated Network Solutions’ business with Consumer Products, BE Viacom18 & LIVE Viacom18 managed synergistically by one team for the organization”

    LIVE Viacom18 has launched successful IPs like VH1 Supersonic, MTV Bollyland, Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards, Emerge, MTV Xtreme and Comedy Central Chuckle Festival.

    Viacom18 Consumer Products has been extremely successful in creating a robust portfolio of merchandize for the kids and youth segment with products including exclusive ‘Back-to-School’ Toys & Apparel in the kids segment. And everything from footwear to a themed café under the MTV brand name for the youth. The licensing arm of the network has also inked exclusive deals with ‘FC Barcelona’ & ‘Peppa Pig’

  • Saugato Bhowmik to head Viacom 18 Integrated Network Solutions, Jaideep Singh moves on

    Saugato Bhowmik to head Viacom 18 Integrated Network Solutions, Jaideep Singh moves on

    MUMBAI: Viacom18 has elevated Saugato Bhowmik as the head of its Integrated Network Solutions (INS) business unit. INS has been instrumental in developing brand solutions for consumers and live properties across music and entertainment genres. Bhowmik takes on the role from Jaideep Singh who will be moving on from the organization. Along with this new role, Bhowmik will continue to head the Consumer Products business line at Viacom18.

    Commenting on this development, Viacom18  Group CEO Sudhanshu  Vats said, “Saugato has rich experience in marketing and his expertise in consumer products has enabled us to monetize various brand properties through successful merchandising and licensing partnerships. We are confident that his sharp marketing sense and ability to mine consumer insights will help grow the INS business further. I would also like to take this opportunity to wish Jaideep the best for his future endeavors.”

    Vats further added, “We are taking this opportunity to build a fully ‘Integrated Network Solutions’ business with Consumer Products, BE Viacom18 & LIVE Viacom18 managed synergistically by one team for the organization”

    LIVE Viacom18 has launched successful IPs like VH1 Supersonic, MTV Bollyland, Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards, Emerge, MTV Xtreme and Comedy Central Chuckle Festival.

    Viacom18 Consumer Products has been extremely successful in creating a robust portfolio of merchandize for the kids and youth segment with products including exclusive ‘Back-to-School’ Toys & Apparel in the kids segment. And everything from footwear to a themed café under the MTV brand name for the youth. The licensing arm of the network has also inked exclusive deals with ‘FC Barcelona’ & ‘Peppa Pig’

  • LeSports elevates Yu Hang as COO

    LeSports elevates Yu Hang as COO

    MUMBAI: LeSports  has elevated  Vice President of Strategy Yu Hang as the COO reporting directly to LeSports CEO Lei Zhenjian.

    Hang will oversee operations of the user engagement center; responsible for growing the number of VIP subscribers and subscription revenue; launching products and services specifically customized for VIP subscribers, and improving overall user experience.

    His new role will also incorporate leading LeSports US and LeSports India as Project Officer for the North American and Indian markets, focusing on the implementation of LeSports’ global strategy. He will also liaise with LeSports HK to achieve operational synergy with LeSports HQ in Beijing.

  • LeSports elevates Yu Hang as COO

    LeSports elevates Yu Hang as COO

    MUMBAI: LeSports  has elevated  Vice President of Strategy Yu Hang as the COO reporting directly to LeSports CEO Lei Zhenjian.

    Hang will oversee operations of the user engagement center; responsible for growing the number of VIP subscribers and subscription revenue; launching products and services specifically customized for VIP subscribers, and improving overall user experience.

    His new role will also incorporate leading LeSports US and LeSports India as Project Officer for the North American and Indian markets, focusing on the implementation of LeSports’ global strategy. He will also liaise with LeSports HK to achieve operational synergy with LeSports HQ in Beijing.

  • Havas appoints Kevin Zhang as director of Human Resources Asia Pacific

    Havas appoints Kevin Zhang as director of Human Resources Asia Pacific

    MUMBAI: Havas Asia Pacific announced the appointment of Kevin Zhang, a seasoned professional with more than 15 years of human resources experience, as Director of Human Resources for the region.

    In this newly created role, Zhang will be leading regional talent initiatives across all key brands of Havas including the flagship brands Havas Worldwide and Havas Media. He has also been tasked with developing specific initiatives to attract top talent to the agency while simultaneously creating learning and development programs to retain talent.

    Prior to joining Havas, Zhang spent 10 years at IPG in New York as Director, Corporate Human Resources leading global HR initiatives. Most recently, he moved to R/GA Singapore to lead the APAC HR operations. He has also worked as Human Resources Manager with ALLOY Media + Marketing, Dow Jones & Company, and Ogilvy CommonHealth.

    As a senior HR professional, Zhang specialises in talent management, talent acquisition, employee engagement, leadership development, performance management, and diversity and inclusion programs.

    Zhang will report in to Michael Lelievre, Chief Financial Officer of Havas Asia Pacific and will work closely with the senior Asia Pacific leadership at the group. He will oversee local HR leads in Asia Pacific and will also work closely with the global talent team helmed by Patti Clifford, Havas’ Chief Talent Officer based in New York, and Celine Merle-Beral, Chief Talent Officer for Havas Media based out of Paris.

    Commenting on the appointment, Havas Asia Pacific CFO Michael Lelievre said, “Talent is the life-blood of our industry and a key competitive advantage that we have as an agency. Kevin’s appointment demonstrates Havas’ increasing focus on talent. He is a critical hire for the agency and we are quite confident that his extensive experience in the advertising space will make him a big asset for the group.”

     Havas chief talent officer Patti Clifford said, “Asia Pacific is a very important market for Havas and the fast growing nature of the region makes it important for the group to have a strong talent strategy in place. Kevin is a great addition to lead across the Creative and Media groups, further solidifying our Together strategy.”

    On his appointment, Zhang said, “Havas as a group has witnessed a huge momentum both globally and in Asia Pacific in the last few years and is in a very exciting phase of its growth. The agency not only has some big plans but also commitment around talent, and I am very pleased to be a part of these plans.”

  • Havas appoints Kevin Zhang as director of Human Resources Asia Pacific

    Havas appoints Kevin Zhang as director of Human Resources Asia Pacific

    MUMBAI: Havas Asia Pacific announced the appointment of Kevin Zhang, a seasoned professional with more than 15 years of human resources experience, as Director of Human Resources for the region.

    In this newly created role, Zhang will be leading regional talent initiatives across all key brands of Havas including the flagship brands Havas Worldwide and Havas Media. He has also been tasked with developing specific initiatives to attract top talent to the agency while simultaneously creating learning and development programs to retain talent.

    Prior to joining Havas, Zhang spent 10 years at IPG in New York as Director, Corporate Human Resources leading global HR initiatives. Most recently, he moved to R/GA Singapore to lead the APAC HR operations. He has also worked as Human Resources Manager with ALLOY Media + Marketing, Dow Jones & Company, and Ogilvy CommonHealth.

    As a senior HR professional, Zhang specialises in talent management, talent acquisition, employee engagement, leadership development, performance management, and diversity and inclusion programs.

    Zhang will report in to Michael Lelievre, Chief Financial Officer of Havas Asia Pacific and will work closely with the senior Asia Pacific leadership at the group. He will oversee local HR leads in Asia Pacific and will also work closely with the global talent team helmed by Patti Clifford, Havas’ Chief Talent Officer based in New York, and Celine Merle-Beral, Chief Talent Officer for Havas Media based out of Paris.

    Commenting on the appointment, Havas Asia Pacific CFO Michael Lelievre said, “Talent is the life-blood of our industry and a key competitive advantage that we have as an agency. Kevin’s appointment demonstrates Havas’ increasing focus on talent. He is a critical hire for the agency and we are quite confident that his extensive experience in the advertising space will make him a big asset for the group.”

     Havas chief talent officer Patti Clifford said, “Asia Pacific is a very important market for Havas and the fast growing nature of the region makes it important for the group to have a strong talent strategy in place. Kevin is a great addition to lead across the Creative and Media groups, further solidifying our Together strategy.”

    On his appointment, Zhang said, “Havas as a group has witnessed a huge momentum both globally and in Asia Pacific in the last few years and is in a very exciting phase of its growth. The agency not only has some big plans but also commitment around talent, and I am very pleased to be a part of these plans.”

  • Hindustan Motor’s Ajay Kumar Bansal quits as CEO

    Hindustan Motor’s Ajay Kumar Bansal quits as CEO

    MUMBAI: Automobile manufacturer Hindustan Motors, which is part of the Birla Technical Services industrial group, has announced  that the company’s CEO Ajay Kumar Bansal has resigned from his position as of May 13. “Ajay Kumar Bansal ceased to be Chief Executive Officer of the Company with effect from the close of business hours on May 13, 2016,” an official statement from the company informed BSE.

    It maybe noted that the company went through a similar major reorganization when  the former CEO Moloy Chowdhury quit last year in June 2015, post which Bansal was appointed as the company’s CEO in November 2015.

  • Hindustan Motor’s Ajay Kumar Bansal quits as CEO

    Hindustan Motor’s Ajay Kumar Bansal quits as CEO

    MUMBAI: Automobile manufacturer Hindustan Motors, which is part of the Birla Technical Services industrial group, has announced  that the company’s CEO Ajay Kumar Bansal has resigned from his position as of May 13. “Ajay Kumar Bansal ceased to be Chief Executive Officer of the Company with effect from the close of business hours on May 13, 2016,” an official statement from the company informed BSE.

    It maybe noted that the company went through a similar major reorganization when  the former CEO Moloy Chowdhury quit last year in June 2015, post which Bansal was appointed as the company’s CEO in November 2015.

  • Dentsu Creative Impact ropes in Anupama Ramaswamy and Akashneel Dasgupta as ECDs

    Dentsu Creative Impact ropes in Anupama Ramaswamy and Akashneel Dasgupta as ECDs

    MUMBAI: Dentsu Creative Impact, the creative agency from Dentsu Aegis Network that went on to win 23 metals at the Goafest this year, has made two major senior appointments in an attempt to further strengthen its creative product.

    The agency has roped in Anupama Ramaswamy and Akashneel Dasgupta as Executive Creative Directors, who will report to Dentsu India Group, NCD Soumitra Karnik.

    Prior to joining Dentsu Creative Impact, Ramaswamy was Executive Creative Director at Cheil, Gurgaon and was in-charge of the Samsung Mobile account. In the recent years, Anupama has worked on the launch of the Galaxy J series, Note 4, Grand 2 and the extremely-popular “Fickle is Fun” campaign for Lavie Handbags.

    Commenting on her new role, Ramaswamy said, “I am very excited to join Dentsu Creative Impact. I have loved the vibe of the agency since the moment I walked in. Soumitra and Amit have been trying to get the best possible talent, and my mandate here is to have fun while building a vibrant and creative culture. This will involve less rhetoric and more hands-on hard work.”

    Some of the agencies that she has worked with include JWT, Lowe, Rediffusion, Havas and FCB. She has worked across a gamut of brands such as Nokia, Airtel, Woodland, Whirlpool, LG, Maruti, Lays and Boost. In her kitty are a number of  AdFest Golds, Spikes, Effies, New York Festival and a number of Abby’s. She was part of the One Show Jury in 2012 and is a regular face on the Goafest jury panel over the last few years.

    Meanwhile,  Dasgupta’s last assignment was at ADK Fortune where he was heading the creative function. Dasgupta started his career in advertising with strategic planning at Mudra. 

    Commenting on his new role, he said, “It’s an exciting time to join Dentsu Creative Impact where a young new team has taken shape and one cannot fail to notice the energy and enthusiasm. Also, it was a personal desire for some time to work with Soumitra and I am happy that an opportunity has presented itself. Hope you get to hear more from us, soon.”

    Talking about the exciting new additions to the team, Karnik too said, “Great work happens when people commit to constantly raising the bar. We are young and tremendously hungry for qualitative growth. To satiate our appetite and to help us achieve our objective, people become easily our single most valuable asset and we cherry pick each one of them. Both Anupama and Akash are just the kind of people Dentsu Creative Impact needs to write its destiny. For me, they are our fantastic acquisitions.”

    Echoing a similar sentiment Dentsu Creative Impact SVP and branch head Amit Wadhwa added, “It’s been great going for Dentsu Creative Impact, especially in the last year or so, and one way we can really continue this upward journey is by having the right people around. This holds true even more so when it comes to the creative talent, since that is where the action finally boils down to. I think in Anupama and Akash we have two extremely talented, passionate and at the same time mature heads that will take us to where we intend to go.”