ITV

Category: People

  • FCB Ulka Advertising promotes Nitin Karkare as CEO

    FCB Ulka Advertising promotes Nitin Karkare as CEO

    MUMBAI: FCB Ulka Advertising COO – Mumbai & Bengaluru Nitin Karkare has been elevated as CEO.

     

    Speaking on his new role, Karkare said, “From starting out as a management trainee at Ulka Advertising to becoming the CEO of FCB Ulka Advertising, it has been an exhilarating journey. FCB Ulka has been built on the foundation of long term partnerships with its clients and its people. I would like to build on this legacy while infusing a new creative energy into the system.”

     

    Karkare has been with FCB Ulka since 1986, when he joined the agency as a management trainee.

     

    FCB Ulka Group chairman and CEO Rohit Ohri added, “My first priority in my new assignment is to ensure that we have the right people in the right leadership roles. Nitin’s passion for advertising, his love for the company, his deep bonds with our clients and, of course, his charming, and affable work style make him the right person for the position of CEO, FCB Ulka Advertising. He has an impressive track record of building some of India’s most loved brands. His commitment to our clients is true testimony to FCB’s spirit of partnership. I’m confident that Nitin will lead FCB Ulka Advertising to new heights and will be a great partner to me in realising our vision for the Group.”

     

    IPG Media Brands India CEO Shashi Sinha added, “I have worked with Nitin from 1986 and am thrilled that he will lead FCB Ulka Advertising – he knows the clients, the people and more importantly the culture. This is true testimony to growth from within.”

  • LinEngage appoints Raman R.S. Minhas as creative head

    LinEngage appoints Raman R.S. Minhas as creative head

    MUMBAI: Mullen Lowe Lintas Group experiential marketing arm LinEngage has strengthened its team with the appointment of Raman R S Minhas as group creative head.

     

    He will report to LinEngage executive vice president Sriharsh Grandhe.

     

    Minhas comes on board with a mandate to add new, innovative dimensions to the way consumer engagement is defined and delivered for brands, in a media-agnostic manner.

     

    Commenting on the appointment, Grandhe said, “The connected marketplace of today demands agencies to re-look at their offerings both the form and format of consumer engagement. With Raman on board LinEngage’s capabilities will be greatly enhanced in this direction.”

     

    This move to LinEngage marks Minhas’s return to India after successful stints in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. His last assignment was at DM Pratama Group in Indonesia, where he led the creative function.

     

    Mullen Lowe Lintas group CMO and group marketing services president Vikas Mehta said, “LinEngage is at a pivotal point in its evolution as we strive to set new benchmarks in the practices of experiential marketing and activation. In Raman, we’ve found a world class creative to lead this pursuit, partnering Sriharsh. A strong consumer engagement practice furthers our efforts towards making Mullen Lowe Lintas Group into a true omni-channel partner for its clients through a hyper-bundled offering.”

     

    “To drive the creative mandate for one of the promising divisions of Mullen Lowe Lintas India is a challenge I am willing to take on with passion. With the legacy of Lowe Lintas and a team that rivals the best in the business, there is only one direction that we can move from here – upward,” said Minhas on his new role.

  • LinEngage appoints Raman R.S. Minhas as creative head

    LinEngage appoints Raman R.S. Minhas as creative head

    MUMBAI: Mullen Lowe Lintas Group experiential marketing arm LinEngage has strengthened its team with the appointment of Raman R S Minhas as group creative head.

     

    He will report to LinEngage executive vice president Sriharsh Grandhe.

     

    Minhas comes on board with a mandate to add new, innovative dimensions to the way consumer engagement is defined and delivered for brands, in a media-agnostic manner.

     

    Commenting on the appointment, Grandhe said, “The connected marketplace of today demands agencies to re-look at their offerings both the form and format of consumer engagement. With Raman on board LinEngage’s capabilities will be greatly enhanced in this direction.”

     

    This move to LinEngage marks Minhas’s return to India after successful stints in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. His last assignment was at DM Pratama Group in Indonesia, where he led the creative function.

     

    Mullen Lowe Lintas group CMO and group marketing services president Vikas Mehta said, “LinEngage is at a pivotal point in its evolution as we strive to set new benchmarks in the practices of experiential marketing and activation. In Raman, we’ve found a world class creative to lead this pursuit, partnering Sriharsh. A strong consumer engagement practice furthers our efforts towards making Mullen Lowe Lintas Group into a true omni-channel partner for its clients through a hyper-bundled offering.”

     

    “To drive the creative mandate for one of the promising divisions of Mullen Lowe Lintas India is a challenge I am willing to take on with passion. With the legacy of Lowe Lintas and a team that rivals the best in the business, there is only one direction that we can move from here – upward,” said Minhas on his new role.

  • Mindshare MENA promotes Ravi Rao as CEO as Samir Ayoub resigns

    Mindshare MENA promotes Ravi Rao as CEO as Samir Ayoub resigns

    MUMBAI: Mindshare MENA CEO Samir Ayoub has resigned from his post and has been appointed delegate of the board at the agency. Ayoub will transition from his current role as CEO, on 1 February, 2016 and continue to act as an advisor and consultant on all matters related to the agency until July 2016.

    Stepping up to the CEO role will be Mindshare MENA chief client officer and UAE team lead Ravi Rao.

    Ayoub, who has led Mindshare MENA since 1999, previously headed up Ogilvy Media. Throughout his 26-year tenure with WPP companies, Ayoub has built up world-class media offerings in the region. His in-depth knowledge of the multiple markets and its consumers’ lifestyles, habits and choices, has supported local and international brands in developing their market share across regional geographies.

    Rao joined Mindshare MENA in May 2015 as chief client officer and in October took on additional responsibility for leading the UAE team. Previously Rao led Mindshare South Asia as CEO for three years. Rao’s nine plus years experience with WPP companies has honed his transformational expertise, which will now support the Mindshare MENA network as it continues to create cutting edge products for its clients and their brands. Rao will leverage new opportunities to further develop the agency’s strategic business alliances and deliver network growth across agency disciplines and client categories.

    WPP MENA director Roy Haddad and Mindshare MENA chairman Edmond Moutran jointly commented, “Whilst Samir will be leaving the day-to-day operations of the agency in February, he will remain a valued member of the team as delegate of the Mindshare MENA board, continuing to support and facilitate the agency’s initiatives that keep it future ready and a sought after media partner in the region.”

    Ayoub said, “My time with Mindshare has been rewarding and exhilarating. Much has changed in the consumer and media landscape since I took on the CEO role 17 years ago. I am delighted that the company will continue to flourish, guided by the experienced and capable hands of my friend and colleague Ravi Rao. In the coming months and years ahead, I look forward to celebrating its continued achievements.”

    Tasked with further developing the agency’s offering, Rao added, “It is most satisfying that I was one of ‘the Day 1 employees’ when Mindshare was set up in the region way back in 1999. A real privilege now to lead Mindshare MENA and I really look forward to further building on the success of our strong team and a world-class product so our client partners benefit the most by driving the Adaptive Marketing vision.”

     

  • SES appoints Vishal Mathur as senior sales director – Asia

    SES appoints Vishal Mathur as senior sales director – Asia

    MUMBAI: Satellite operator SES Asia has roped in Vishal Mathur as senior sales director. Mathur brings with him almost 20 years of experience in the satellite and broadcasting industry in the region.

    He will be tasked with implementing the company’s regional sales strategy to support the growth of the company’s fixed data, mobility and video customers, and developing strong customer relationships in the South Asian markets.

    Mathur has led the sales and marketing, business development, strategic planning and regulatory approval efforts of broadcasters such as ESPN Star Sports channel and Zee TV, as well as of satellite services provider MEASAT during his career.

     

  • Hero Cycles appoints Rohit Sharma as chief communications officer

    Hero Cycles appoints Rohit Sharma as chief communications officer

    MUMBAI:  Hero Cycles announced another senior level executive appointment of Rohit Sharmaas as Chief Communications Officer. His core responsibility is leading and driving all communications for the Hero Cycles group and thereby heading and managing the Public Relations and Corporate Communications functions as well.

     

    According to Pankaj Munjal, CMD, Hero Cycles MD Pankaj Munjal said, “We extend a warm welcome to Rohit Sharma. He joins us as an integral part of our key marketing team. We value the space we occupy in the collective consciousness of the Indian people and amongst our well-wishers. Hero Cycles is fast growing into a brand which stands for quality, friendliness and health. I am sure that Rohit will help develop our reputation capital at all levels and for multiple audience sets simultaneously. I wish Rohit Sharmaall the best in his new innings with us.”

     

    Commenting on his appointment Sharma said, “In my role as the CCO, my endeavour would be to create a brands which people would like to spend their time with and make a part of their everyday lives. I believe that Hero Cycles is a strong culture brand which is both timeless and age agnostic. It represents a free-spirit which and is loved both by the masses as well as the classes. As part of the kaleidoscope of the mother brand Hero, UT and FireFoxbrands hold immense potential and promise. I look forward to assisting our CMD, Mr. Pankaj Munjal in all international and domestic acquisitions as well as entrepreneurial projects which would help further expand the groups’ business and reach across the country and the globe.”

  • Industry veterans gear up for Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon

    Industry veterans gear up for Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon

    MUMBAI : The city is already counting down the days to the biggest annual sporting extravaganza that Mumbaikars look forward to — the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon, which is scheduled to take off in the wee hours of 17 January.

     

    Be it the health minded ones or the record breakers or even those who simply run for a cause , every year the footfall at the marathon has only seen an upward growth. Several reports say that this year the figures may go up by four – five per cent. 

     

    With Mumbai as the stage, it is inevitable that several media personalities will also be taking part in the event, apart from the big names from other industries like finance and technology. 

     

    Familiar faces from media, advertising and marketing world who are expected to continue their tradition of running for the marathon include Grey Group India chairman and managing director Sunil Lulla, Ideas@bharatkapadia.com founder Bharat Kapadia and triggerbridge managing director and co-founder S Yesudas amongst others.

     

    Yesudas confesses his life has been very hectic given his new portfolio as an entrepreneur and the launch of his new venture. Yet, he wouldn’t give Mumbai Standard Chartered Marathon a miss for the world. In fact, he recalls how he barely made it to his last year’s agency conference in Bangkok just to run for the marathon.

     

    Having said that, he adds, “I wouldn’t go all out this year unlike my previous runs for the marathon. The reason is my injured right knee.” Because of which, Yesudas hasn’t been active lately in preparing for the marathon.

     

    “I participated for the Trivandrum Marathon in November, but since then I haven’t been running much. To get good timing, practicing long runs is a must, therefore this year I will be taking it easier,” Yesudas explains.

     

    It isn’t just Yesudas whose Mumbai Marathon will be marred a bit by injury. Well known marathon runner from the industry HDFC Life senior executive vice president Sanjay Tripathy will also skip running the full marathon due to the same. Nevertheless, Tripathy can’t help count us down the reasons why one should take running up. “Running is my passion and I have a torrid love affair with it! Running for a marathon has taken me beyond my comfort zone and helped me relax, take control over my mind and stay focused on a day to day basis,” shares Tripathy.

     

    “I have been training myself since 2003 to participate in marathons all over the country. Every year I work on increasing my intensity and distance while reducing the amount of time. Unfortunately, this year, I will be unable to participate in the marathon as I had a bad fall on my knee a month back. A stress fracture in the femur of my left leg will keep me out of running for a good eight to 12 weeks. But injuries are a part and parcel of a runner’s life and I am determined to come back stronger,” he adds.

     

    Industry veteran and well known marathoner Kapadia is up for the challenge this year as well. Last year, he managed to bring down his run time to 2 hours 12 mins from 2 hours 17 mins in the previous year. He hopes to beat his own record this year as well. “This will be my ninth year running in the Mumbai Marathon. My regular practice sessions are up. I usually start three and a half months before the D-Day. Right now I am going easy on running and concentrating on the right diet. The first three days of the week was protein heavy diet, while the next three days will be carbohydrate heavy,” shares Kapadia, who adds that he stopped long runs last Sunday to give his body rest.

     

    Having said that, Kapadia doesn’t run after ranks or timings in a marathon. “I personally keep three things in mind when running a marathon. Firstly my target is to complete the entire run; secondly I make sure I have fun on the way; and lastly to keep myself injury free,” he says.

     

    Grey Group India’s Lulla too plans to enjoy the marathon with his friends rather than keeping an eye on the clock while running. “I am doing stretches and abs to keep myself flexible for the time being,” he informs. 

     

    “This year the marathon isn’t about setting goals and breaking personal record for me. Been there and done that for the last few years. This year is about enjoying the run. I have been in and out of the city the entire year and hence hardly had the time to practice and prep up for the marathon. Not that it bothers me as this year my prime motive is to have fun with my friends who run together with me. I plan to take it slow and easy, saying hello to everyone on the way and maybe even clicking several picture to commemorate the day.”

     

    In fact, to mark the day and instil the idea of running for just fun, Lulla and his group of friends will be sporting T-shirts with #quickie written on it.

     

    While few familiar names are staying off the track this year, Yesudas doesn’t expect that to effect the footfall at the marathon, nor the industry’s representation in it. “I have a feeling several new faces will be seen running this year. I know that several of my friends within the industry have been gearing up to make their debut,” he says.

  • Havas Worldwide APAC names Todd Martin as regional digital director

    Havas Worldwide APAC names Todd Martin as regional digital director

    MUMBAI: Havas Worldwide has appointed Todd Martin as regional digital director for APAC.

     

    In his new role, Martin will lead and drive the growth of digital across Asia Pacific. He will also lead Havas Drive, a digital acceleration, technology and innovation unit based at Havas Worldwide Bangkok.

     

    Based out of Singapore, Todd will report directly to Havas Worldwide Asia Pacific chairman Juan Rocamora, working alongside business development and integration director Southeast Asia Sunny Hermano and CEO Southeast Asia Levent Guenes.

     

    Martin has over 20 years of broad client category digital experience in the US, UK, Japan, China and across Asia Pacific and has been responsible for creating digital strategies and campaigns for a huge number of multinational clients.

     

    He was one of the founders of Amnesia Razorfish in Australia, a digital agency that grew in 10 years to become the largest of its kind in Australia. He worked on brands such as Disney, Microsoft, Qantas, Volkswagen, Merck, Johnnie Walker, and the International Olympic Committee before moving to the USA to work with Razorfish out of their head office in Seattle.

     

    He moved to Singapore in 2013 as regional head of social and digital for Bates CHI & Partners, and worked in Social@Ogilvy across the region before a short stint at Edelman as head of strategy for Asia.

     

    “Todd joins us with a solid track record in the digital space having worked with the some of the top digital agencies and cutting edge brands around the world. His experience across geographies and ability to work with different cultures is a strong plus. Havas has a robust digital offering in Asia Pacific and we have no doubt that Todd is the right person to lead and strengthen our digital operations as we move in the next phase of our growth,” said Rocamora.

     

    Martin added, “I am particularly excited about the Digital Innovation team, Havas Drive. Their blend of creative technical talent is producing solid solutions that work in multiple Asian markets. Havas are showing they have the talent and resources to deliver innovative digital experiences for all clients in the region, they’re walking the walk, not just talking about it.”

  • Adfest 2016: Josy Paul & Ben Welsh named jury presidents for two categories

    Adfest 2016: Josy Paul & Ben Welsh named jury presidents for two categories

    MUMBAI: BBDO India chairman and chief creative officer Josy Paul has been named as the jury president of Adfest 2016’s Media Lotus and Branded Content & Entertainment Lotus.

     

    Additionally, M&C Saatchi creative chairman Ben Welsh has been named as the jury president of Film Lotus and Radio Lotus categories.

     

    Paul said, “It is a huge privilege to be selected to lead this prestigious Jury, working alongside the industry’s most respected and awarded creatives. There are agencies in Asia and the Middle East that are leading the world when it comes to producing brave, impactful media concepts and branded content. I live by the mantra ‘Think like the navy, deliver like pirates,’ which means I’ll be looking for work that is both strategic and powerfully executed. It’s going to be a lot of fun debating the industry’s best ideas.”

     

    “Josy has led the way in India as a creative professional who is determined to make the world a better place through impactful branded content and creativity. It will be an honour to welcome him to Thailand in March,” added Adfest president Jimmy Lam.

     

    Welsh said, “I am really excited about being part of Adfest again, it’s actually my favourite creative festival. I’ve judged Cannes, D&AD, London International Awards and more but there’s something unique about Adfest. As jury president, I’m really looking forward to discovering what this region is capable of producing.”

     

    Lam added, “Ben has one of the sharpest creative minds in the industry, which makes him perfect to lead next year’s Film Lotus and Radio Lotus categories. It’s been several years since Ben last joined Adfest’s jury panel, and we look forward to welcoming him back to Thailand in March.”

     

    Adfest 2016 runs from 16 – 19 March at the Royal Cliff Hotels Group in Pattaya, Thailand.

  • Nike president & CEO Mark G. Parker joins Walt Disney board

    Nike president & CEO Mark G. Parker joins Walt Disney board

    MUMBAI: The Walt Disney Company Board of Directors has elected Nike, Inc. president and CEO Mark G. Parker as a director, effective immediately.

     

    “As CEO of Nike, Mark is widely recognised for driving the stellar growth of an industry-leading brand. His keen insight into consumers and his broad experience in international markets make him a great fit for the Disney Board,” said Disney chairman and CEO Robert A. Iger.

     

    “I’m honored to be named a director of Disney. For decades, Disney has delivered truly elevated consumer experiences globally, inspiring generations with creativity and vision. I look forward to working with this team as the company continues to set its sights on the future,” Parker added.

     

    Parker will stand for election along with the company’s other directors at Disney’s annual meeting on 3 March in Chicago. Parker’s appointment brings total membership on the Disney Board to 12.

     

    Parker has served as CEO and president of Nike since January 2006. He joined Nike as one of the company’s first footwear designers in 1979 and during his 37-year tenure he has been at the center of innovation, bringing pioneering concepts and engineering expertise to vital roles such as vice president of consumer product marketing, vice president of global footwear and co-president of the Nike Brand. He has led the way for Nike Air and a multitude of industry-breakthroughs in product design. In addition to helping lead the continued growth of the Nike brand, Parker is responsible for the growth of the company’s global business portfolio, which includes Converse Inc. and Hurley International LLC.