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Category: People

  • HT Media names Shamit Bhartia as managing director

    HT Media names Shamit Bhartia as managing director

    MUMBAI: HT Media Limited has appointed Shamit Bhartia as managing director with effect from 26 September. Earlier Bhartia was designated as  joint managing director of the company.

     

    Bhartia replaces his mother Shobhana Bhartia, who is also the chairperson and editorial director of the group.

     

    Members of the board had earlier approved the re-appointment of Bhartia as the whole time director of the company at the 11th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on 27 August, 2013.

     

    Bhartia has been associated with the company since incorporation and is actively involved in the business policy decisions, formulation of long-term vision and strategy and contributes immensely to the growth of the company.

     

    He holds a degree in Economics from Dartmouth College, USA and has also worked in the corporate finance and M&A Group of Lazard Frere in New York.

     

  • MSLGroup India names Manish Thirumulpad as head of Bengaluru ops

    MSLGroup India names Manish Thirumulpad as head of Bengaluru ops

    MUMBAI: MSLGroup India has appointed Manish Thirumulpad as vice president and head of its Bengaluru office.

     

    Thirumulpad will oversee business with immediate effect. His role includes the mandate to grow the business, internal capability enhancement and developing thought leadership.

     

    With overall experience of nearly 15 years, he has in-depth knowledge of PR, corporate advisory and media.

     

    MSLGroup India managing director Amit Mishra said, “Bengaluru being the technological, emerging business hub of the country and an important market, our focus is to strengthen group presence by offering best-in-class services. Under the leadership of Manish Thirumulpad, who in the role brings extensive experience in PR and corporate advisory, MSLGroup will be a stronger partner to our clients in Karnataka.”

     

    Thirumulpad added, “With MSLGroup striving to lead the change in the communications industry in India, I am excited about the mandate and hope to take the firm to the next level in Bengaluru and other Southern markets.”

  • Mogae Plus names Raju Sarin as head

    Mogae Plus names Raju Sarin as head

    MUMBAI: Mogae Media’s sales division Mogae Plus, which handles monetisation for FoodFood TV, Gaon Connection newspaper and Reliance Retail activations, has appointed Raju Sarin as head. 

     

    He will be based at the company’s Gurgaon HQ.

     

    Sarin said, “We are building a young and competent team at Mogae Plus to help a larger number of third party brands reach the market more effectively.”

     

    Mogae Media executive director Tanya Goyal added, “Raju is a seasoned professional. He brings both width and depth to Mogae Plus. We are constantly being approached by third party brands to lend the strength of our sales force to them. Raju is being charged to do just that.”

     

    Sarin is a media industry marketing and sales veteran with over two and a half decades of experience across product launches, revenue expansions and new business development. He has worked in companies Living Media, The India Today Group, Media Transasia, HT Media Magazine division and MTV.

     

    Additionally, Sonali Ayyer will be joining as head of West & South operations of Mogae Plus. Ayyer has more than 24 years of experience holding leadership positions in TV and print media. After a long stint at Zee TV, she represented TV Asia & Sun Network (US Beam) and Imagine Movies (UAE beam) to brands in the past.

  • AAAI kickstarts partnership with Subhas Ghosal Foundation lecture series with Shekhar Gupta

    AAAI kickstarts partnership with Subhas Ghosal Foundation lecture series with Shekhar Gupta

    MUMBAI: The Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) has partnered with the Subhas Ghoshal Foundation to create the AAAI-Subhas Ghosal Memorial Lecture series.

     

    The first lecture in the series will be given by veteran journalist Shekhar Gupta of the Walk The Talk fame. Gupta will speak on ‘Changing Role of Media in Today’s India’ on 9 October at ITC Grand Central in Mumbai.

     

    On the tie up, AAAI president Dr Ambi M G Parameswaran said, “The partnership with Subhas Ghosal Foundation gives us a great platform to invite thought leaders from various domains to share their perspectives on the changing discourse on media, advertising and society. Through this effort we will also remember one of the visionaries of Indian advertising.”

     

    The AAAI-Subhas Ghosal Memorial Lecture series will see notable personalities from the field of media and advertising sharing their views on various topics of interest to the advertising, media and marketing fraternity.

  • Havas Media appoints Gaurav Pandey as group director – technology

    Havas Media appoints Gaurav Pandey as group director – technology

    MUMBAI: Havas Media India has appointed Gaurav Pandey as group director – technology. He will be responsible for the company’s technology direction with focus on quality and efficiency across mobile, web and social media applications. 

     

    He will report to Havas Media India digital head Ranjoy Dey.

     

    Pandey will work closely with Mobext, India senior manager Soumitro Ganguly.

     

    Mobext is the mobile marketing arm from Havas Media Group. With India fast becoming a mobile first market, Mobext is adept at delivering marketing, technology and services, across mobile environments. Launched in 2007, Mobext was one of the first agencies to offer specialised end-to-end mobile marketing services within the global arena.

     

    Havas Media Group India CEO Anita Nayyar said, “Havas Media is gearing towards delivering the best in class marketing technology and mobile solutions to clients and brands. Gaurav with his tech-expertise will ensure great quality solutions in this domain along with Soumitro. Gaurav has the requisite experience and is an innovator. His mandate is to identify, exploit and integrate technology driven solutions and leverage our existing technology infrastructure and mobile strength across the Havas Media business units in India.”

     

    Dey added, “At Havas Media we consistently strive to execute digital media the way the consumer sees it, to deliver the most memorable experience. Gaurav has the knack of mentally approaching solutions from a brand perspective to connect with the consumer, where media and technology are an integral part of each other. His deep knowledge of both will go a long way in an environment when the businesses are becoming either Mobile Only, Mobile First, or Have to Be on Mobile.”

  • Razorfish India names Dinesh Swamy as senior creative director

    Razorfish India names Dinesh Swamy as senior creative director

    MUMBAI: Razorfish India has appointed Dinesh Swamy as senior creative director, based out of Mumbai.

     

    Speaking on the appointment, Razorfish CEO Charulata Ravi Kumar said, “With his credentials already preceding him, what struck me most about Dinesh was his childlike curiosity and energy that evidently add interesting dimensions to his creative ideas. His passion for photography and dancing tell me that he sees beyond the obvious and uses the insight for a story worth swinging to.”

     

    Razorfish India COO Gaurav Pathak added, “Dinesh is not only an excellent creative talent but also brings with him the strategic bent of mind that makes his work stand out with an innovative relevance that aligns perfectly with our philosophy at Razorfish.”

     

    Swamy said, “Razorfish has always inspired me and been on my list; it’s a great opportunity to breathe pure Digital. Razorfish has the passion to blend idea and technology to create innovative solutions. I want to take it ahead and showcase great case studies along with the team and be part of taking it to its next level of creative excellence that transforms business.”

     

    Swamy’s portfolio spans strategic innovations and integrated solutions across CRM, Social Media and Online Integrated campaigns for multiple clients. He has previously worked with companies like Flip Media Corp, Tribal DDB India and Digital Law & Kenneth. Most recently he was with BBDO Proximity as digital creative leader.

  • M&C Saatchi trains eyes on Asia; names Ben Welsh as creative chairman

    M&C Saatchi trains eyes on Asia; names Ben Welsh as creative chairman

    MUMBAI: With its eyes trained on the rapidly growing Asian market, M&C Saatchi has named Ben Welsh as the agency’s creative chairman of Asia. Welsh was formerly at M&C Saatchi Sydney as executive creative director.

     

    Welsh’s appointment marks a change in emphasis for the network. Asia as a region has changed dramatically in recent years – China took over as the largest economy from the US in 2014, India has the fastest growing advertising industry in the world and Japan is the second most innovative country in the world. The addition of Welsh demonstrates the network’s spotlight on Asia.

     

    Welsh’s focus will be pitching for both international and national brands in each region, attracting creative talent and developing the creative output of the five agencies the network runs there.

     

    Welsh has helped to establish M&C Saatchi Sydney as the leading creative shop in Australia – and has led the agency to its biggest trophy-haul yet at Cannes this year, consolidating its position as the country’s number one creative agency. M&C Saatchi Australia came home with a coveted Titanium Lion, one of only five up for grabs, to cap off a 10-Lion haul.

     

    M&C Saatchi CEO worldwide Moray MacLennan said, “This appointment underlines our commitment to the core of our business – the creative product. Ben is the best combination of strategic thinker and creative leader. Add in his boundless energy and Asia will be hugely strengthened. He is also an excellent brand ambassador for M&C Saatchi having worked for us for the last 18 years.”

     

    Welsh added, “I’m really excited at the thought of what we can do in the region. We have some brilliant people and I look forward to working with them to create an impact in such a diverse part of the world.”

     

    Welsh will start his new role on 1 October. His appointment follows the departure of Chris Jacques who was regional CEO. He will be based in Sydney but regularly travelling to Singapore, New Delhi, Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai and Tokyo.

     

    Welsh joined M&C Saatchi Sydney in 1997 as a senior writer and was then promoted to creative director in 2003. Previously, he led a team of over 50 creatives working across digital, direct, retail and above the line media in Australia’s largest agency.

  • ASCI appoints Benoy Roychowdhury as new chairman

    ASCI appoints Benoy Roychowdhury as new chairman

    MUMBAI: The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has appointed HT Media executive director Benoy Roychowdhury as its new chairman. As a member of the Board of Governors for four years, he has represented print media and provided active support to self-regulation.

     

    R.K. Swamy BBDO chairman and MD Srinivasan K. Swamy was elected as vice chairman and Media Brands CEO Shashidhar Sinha, was re-appointed the honorary treasurer.

     

    ASCI outgoing chairman Narendra Ambwani said, “It has been quite an eventful year for ASCI. We had set four key priorities for the year i.e. Collaboration with the regulators, easier consumer access to ASCI services, inculcate self-discipline among creators of advertising and be seen as fair adjudicator by all stakeholders. Not only were we able to deliver on all four priorities; but we also received recognition for all the good work ASCI has been doing. The Department of Consumer Affair (DCA) engaged ASCI as their “Executive Arm” to curb misleading advertisements and has entrusted ASCI to process complaints received on DCA’s portal “Grievances Against Misleading Advertisements (gama.gov.in).”

     

    Roychowdhury added, “There has been a remarkable transition in the last couple of years of how newer sectors like e-commerce and media such as digital advertising have changed the game. Over 90 per cent of consumers send in their complaints to ASCI online or via e: mail versus letters or phone calls. ASCI has also evolved to match the pace by significantly improving the efficiency and speed in ASCI’s consumer redressal process. These continuous efforts are now being backed by regulatory agencies such as the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting as well as the DCA, and more and more Government organizations are approaching ASCI to seek help in adjudicating on various complaints related to advertisements. Responsibility for the success of self-regulation rests with every player – Advertisers should advertise with a conscience, media which carry the ads should be more responsible and regulators should back self-regulation by lending their support.”

     

    Speaking exclusively to Indiantelevision.com the new chairman said, “I would like to strengthen the four pillars that we stand tall on. Educate through our E-Learning initiative, enhance consumer interaction and our app will play a pivotal role in it. I am also looking at more collaborations.  We had great success as Ministry of Consumer Affairs recognised us last year and lastly we need to advertise our presence so that more people are aware about ASCI.”

     

    ASCI promotes self regulation philosophy and Roychowdhury thinks it’s healthy for the fraternity as the alternatives can be difficult. “The alternative to self regulation is government regulation which I think is not what the industry is looking towards. Responsible advertising is much better than courts and judicial processes,” he added. 

     

    Other members of the Board of Governors are CIABC vice president Abanti Sankanarayan, Procter & Gamble Hygiene and Healthcare managing director and chief executive Al Rajwani, Bennett Coleman and Co Ltd president Arunab Das Sharma, Pepsico India chairman & CEO D. Shivakumar, Eanadu director I Venkat, Agrotech Foods Ltd director Narendra Ambwani, Provacateur director Paritosh Joshi, Genesis Burson-Marsteller Asia Pacific & principal/founder, Burson-Marsteller vice chair Prema Sagar, Google India managing director Rajan Anandan, Hindustan Unilever executive director personal care Sameer Singh, S.P. Jain Institute management educationist SK Palekar, BBH Comms India managing partner Subhash Kamath and Grey Group chairman and managing director Sunil Lulla.

  • American Swan appoints Sharad Thakur as chief marketing officer

    American Swan appoints Sharad Thakur as chief marketing officer

    MUMBAI: Online fashion brand American Swan has roped in Sharad Thakur as its chief marketing officer (CMO). Having over five years experience in fashion and lifestyle eCommerce, Thakur will be responsible for taking American Swan’s online business to the next level. He will be leading all the marketing initiatives for the brand and will take steps to strengthen brand’s penetration across the country.

     

    Thakur said, “It’s a pleasure to be a part of this popular online fashion brand that’s scaling up at a rapid pace. Building on the company’s already highly successful #AS I AM campaign, I intend to drive marketing initiatives to have a better connect with the youth. Coming from a digital background, I aim to be harnessing the industry knowledge I have gained so far in strengthening American Swan’s positioning as one of the most-preferred destinations for fast-fashion.”

     

    American Swan director & CEO Anurag Rajpal added, “We are delighted to have Sharad on board. His expertise and in-depth knowledge of fashion ecommerce and his phenomenal work in the companies he has worked in, were the main reasons that made him a perfect fit for this role. We are looking forward to his value-additions to augment the operations of American Swan and I wish him good luck for the same.”

  • ZenithOptimedia India appoints Ajit Gurnani as managing partner & branch head, west

    ZenithOptimedia India appoints Ajit Gurnani as managing partner & branch head, west

    MUMBAI: ZenithOptimedia India has roped in Ajit Gurnani as its managing partner and branch head, ZO west.

     

    ZenithOptimedia India managing director Hari Krishnan said, “ZenithOptimedia is making rapid progress in Mumbai especially with its expanding new-age client list such as Faaso’s, Ziffy, TImesaverz and many others yet to be announced. We needed somebody with rich experience and robust background spanning both agency and client side experience. Ajit, with his experience across markets, clients and verticals was best suited for the role. It helps us to strengthen our offer to all our businesses and prospective clients.”

     

    Gurnani added, “I am excited to be part of ZenithOptimedia and really like the agency’s proposition of Live ROI and all the proprietary tools and knowledge they have built around it. I am also excited with their superior offering in digital and performance marketing through Performics, Resultrix and the Business Analytics offering through Ninah. I hope to embrace these at the soonest and apply it to the clients I will be handling.”  

     

    Gurnani has over 18 years of work experience in the fields of media, brand management and marketing. His media exposure has been with advertising agencies like HTA (now Mindshare / JWT), Rediffusion DY&R (TME), Mindshare and MEC on clients like Unilever, Colgate Palmolive, Aditya Birla Group and Mercedes Benz among others.