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Category: People

  • LinTeractive announces national leadership team

    LinTeractive announces national leadership team

    MUMBAI: The wheels were set in motion a few months ago when LinTeractive – fresh from its re-launch exercise – had made its intent clear about mainlining itself as an agency for the digitised world.

     

    With a few high-profile business wins and brand successes to its credit, the fast-growing digital division of Lowe Lintas + Partners has taken another major step as it named its leadership team in India.

     

    The three-member leadership team comprising a business, strategy and creative head each, will drive the digital business for the group and will be supported by the IPG agency Interactive Avenues as its fulfillment partner. The trio includes Paul Dueman, who’s been with the agency for some time now and features two new additions – Gauri Joshi and Sumanta Ganguly. The leadership team will report to Lowe Lintas + Partners CMO and LinTeractive country head Vikas Mehta.

     

    Mehta said, “Just a few months ago, LinTeractive was merely a plan on paper. We set out to build a digital agency that was different on two counts. First, we see ourselves as not just a digital agency, but an ‘agency for the digitised world’. And second, our belief that ideas are at their best, when they work seamlessly ‘on and offline’. Paul has been an excellent partner in driving this approach and we’ve seen great traction among clients. Both Sumanta and Gauri are exciting additions to the team bringing in serious depth on domain expertise. I am confident that this leadership-trio will step up the gas and further fuel the momentum we’re seeing with LinTeractive.”

     

    Dueman has been named as the head of strategic and engagement planning. His career spans over 18 years with 14 years in digital marketing and technology development. He has been a part of Lowe Lintas + Partners for nearly five years in two stints. Dueman said, “It continues to be a rewarding experience for me at LinTeractive. The go to market support of Interactive Avenues gives us a bigger canvas to shape our ideas and deliver far more value. Additionally, the synergised working with teams across the board internally – from PR, to healthcare, activation and advertising makes me feel like a kid in a candy store. It’s a digital glut-fest at Lowe Lintas + Partners and I’m definitely not on a diet.”

     

    Ganguly joins LinTeractive as senior vice president and will be taking on the role of business head. Ganguly’s responsibility would include partnering clients to craft out ‘digital first’ communication strategies and creating a digital roadmap for some of the top brands in the country. He said, “I am excited to join an agency that has a ‘seat at the table’ with some of the largest brands in the country. Coupled with creative, planning and content capabilities it is a potent mix to build great partnerships with brands who want to lead in today’s social and digital service offering.”

     

    As Unit Creative Director, Joshi will be heading LinTeractive’s creative function providing digitally driven creative solutions. Joshi added, “I am delighted to be a part of the team at LinTeractive. As a group, Lowe Lintas + Partners has etched out a truly robust and integrated vision for LinTeractive, which I believe is the best way forward for brands as well as digital on the whole.”

  • Antony Rajkumar is the new planning head for Leo Burnett Delhi

    Antony Rajkumar is the new planning head for Leo Burnett Delhi

    MUMBAI: Leo Burnett Group India has announced the appointment of Antony Rajkumar as the planning head at Leo Burnett Delhi.

     

    With this new assignment,  Rajkumar will work closely with Rajeev Sharma, national brand planning head for the company to lead strategic planning and brand management and will be stationed at the agency’s Delhi office.

     

    Welcoming Rajkumar to the company, Sharma said, “Antony will be a key contributor towards taking our HumanKind philosophy forward. His track record of providing outstanding business solutions to brands, over a career of over 18 years, speaks for itself. I am looking forward to his rich and varied experience in consulting, research, integrated communications, content marketing and brand storytelling in providing strategic depth to our client’s businesses.”

     

    Agreeing with Sharma, Leo Burnett Delhi executive director Samir Gangahar added, “I am delighted to have Antony on board. As a genuinely integrated thinker I see him adding tremendous value to our clients’ businesses and the agency itself. Channeling this ability to create a compelling purpose and relevant participation platforms for our portfolio of brands will help us become an even stronger HumanKind agency.”

     

    Prior to Leo Burnett, Rajkumar was working with J Walter Thompson (JWT) as VP and strategy planning director since 2011. During his tenure there, he was also a part of the WPP Blue Hive leadership team on the Ford Motor Company relationship for the region.

     

    Thrilled about his new engagement, Rajkumar said, “My conversation with Leo Burnett helped me see a very young agency keen and ready to lead the evolution that our industry is going through. I’m excited to be part of this plan in taking Leo Burnett even further and higher, which is why I’m here!”

     

    “Planning’s focus here is in finding purpose for products and participation from people to engage with that purpose. HumanKind, the agency’s global philosophy and approach, which I personally connect with, provides a great context to doing that,” he added.

     

    Rajkumar began his career in January 2004, in planning with Maa Communications Bozell.  He joined as branch manager and was soon promoted to vice president – strategy and planning. He then moved to Equitor Management Consulting as regional director before moving to JWT in 2011.

  • Shailesh Pathak joins as executive director of Bhartiya Group

    Shailesh Pathak joins as executive director of Bhartiya Group

    MUMBAI: Bhartiya Group has announced the appointment of Shailesh Pathak as its new executive director.

     

    Pathak will be responsible for the company’s foray into new ventures in city development and affordable housing, as well as public-private partnership initiatives.

     

    He will also lead the Group’s relationships in finance, industry and international bodies and report to the group founder and chairman Snehdeep Aggarwal.

     

    Welcoming Pathak to the company, Aggarwal said, “We are extremely pleased to have an eminent professional like Pathak join the Bhartiya team. With his strengths in finance, infrastructure and public policy, Pathak will spearhead our foray into new ventures. We are confident that given his in-depth know-how and vast experience, he will propel the Group to greater heights adding a new dimension to our business vision.”

     

    After starting his career as an investment banker with ICICI in 1986, Pathak worked with SREI Infrastructure Finance as president – corporate strategy for four year before joining Bhartiya Group, where he focused on international capital for Indian Infrastructure. Prior to this, he was managing director, PE Indian Infrastructure Fund out of London/Geneva. 

     

    Post ICICI, he subsequently joined the government in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and served in various capacities during his 16 year tenure. He served as managing director of state infrastructure development corporation and secretary PWD for six years. Rejoining the private sector in 2006, he came to IDFC as head-PPP, and returned to the ICICI group to lead private equity investments into infrastructure as senior director-investments with ICICI Venture, Mumbai for two years.

     

    Pathak is an MBA from IIM Calcutta and holds a bachelor’s degree from Shriram College of Commerce, Delhi. He is also a law graduate.

  • Rajiv Mishra joins Samsung as VP- media

    Rajiv Mishra joins Samsung as VP- media

    NEW DELHI: Senior journalist Rajiv Mishra, who held the post of chief executive officer of Lok Sabha for about three years until he left some months ago, has been appointed as vice president (media) of Samsung’s south west Asia office in Gurgaon.

     

    Mishra began his 21 year long career from Hindustan Times and later switching over to electronic media.

     

    He began as manager – programming in Star, then joined Zee TV as senior manager – corporate, Reliance Infocomm as general manager – corporate affairs, News 24 (BAG Films and Media) as COO and director and India News as COO. He launched Times Now of the Times of India group in USA as India Now while working for CineMaya Media of USA.

     

    Mishra was with Lok Sabha TV as CEO in an official rank and status of additional secretary.

     

    He is also the founder and first president of Association of Radio Operators for India (AROI). AROI is the industry representative body of all FM Radio Broadcasters/Stations of India. He also founded Association of Regional Television Broadcasters of India.

  • Management shuffle at HUL

    Management shuffle at HUL

    MUMBAI: Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) has announced key changes in the management committee of the company. Subject to Unilever Indonesia’s external board approval, Hemant Bakshi, currently executive director – home and personal care, will be appointed as executive vice president (EVP) of Unilever Indonesia.

     

    The home and personal care (HPC) business will now be organised into home care and personal care businesses in India. Samir Singh, currently global brand vice president Lifebuoy and vice president – personal care lead, south Asia cluster, Unilever, will be appointed as HUL executive director – personal care and Priya Nair, currently vice president – Laundry, HUL, will be appointed as executive director – home care. Both Nair and Singh will be part of the management committee of HUL and their appointments are effective 1 October 2014.

     

    HUL CEO & managing director Sanjiv Mehta said, “I wish to take the opportunity to express my deep appreciation for the significant contribution that Hemant has made to the India business, both in his current role as executive director – HPC and his earlier role as executive director – CD. I would like to congratulate Hemant on his move to Unilever Indonesia and wish him all the best in his new assignment.”

     

    Nair joined the company in the consumer insights team in 1995, where she brought with her a diverse and rich experience including customer development and marketing. In her earlier roles, she has worked across various brands such as Dove, Axe, Rexona, Closeup, Pepsodent. As VP home care she has been leading the entire detergents portfolio of HUL. More recently, she has led the launch of HUL’s path breaking rural mobile marketing initiative ‘Kan Khajura Tesan’ which received three Gold Lion awards at the 2014 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

     

    Singh on the other hand joined Unilever in 1997 as a management trainee in India. He has worked across many brands including Fair & Lovely, Vaseline, Ponds and has also worked in Foods in Customer Development in India.

     

    For the past four years Singh has been the global brand vice president for Lifebuoy and a member of the Global Category Leadership Team for skin cleansing. In this role, he has led global strategy, innovation and communication for Lifebuoy in more than 30 key countries across the world. He was also the personal care cluster lead for south Asia in 2014.

     

    “We have reorganised the home and personal care business into two separate businesses to ensure focus on the growth drivers for each of these businesses. I am pleased to welcome Priya and Samir to their new roles. Both bring with them rich and diverse marketing and business experience in Unilever. Priya joined HUL in 1995 and has worked in roles across marketing, customer development and CMI. Samir joined HUL in 1997 and has worked in various roles in HUL and across the regional and global Unilever organisation,” he added.

  • Quasar hires Rasika Bamba as head of digital media, north and east

    Quasar hires Rasika Bamba as head of digital media, north and east

    MUMBAI: Part of WPP Group, Quasar, a full service digital agency, has appointed Rasika Bamba as the new regional head, north and east.

     

    She will be in charge of scaling up new business initiatives and to strengthen existing relationships in the region. She will additionally be responsible for the media practice at Quasar. Bamba will report into the agency’s business head Gaurav Nabh and will be based out of New Delhi.

     

    With over 10 years of digital experience, Bamba joins the Quasar team from Hungama Digital Services (HDS) where she was heading business development and servicing – defining the digital roadmap for several key clients at the agency. She spearheaded client relationships like Hindustan Unilever, Microsoft, Mahindra, ACC, SBI MF and was also in-charge of the media practice. Prior to Hungama, she has been associated with brands like Yahoo India and Affle.

     

    Nabh said, “Rasika is a thorough digital professional, with experience across various industries. Over the years she has handled some tough clients and mastered her skills in managing tough situations. With her deep understanding of the medium, she has been instrumental in convincing brands to venture into the digital medium. We look forward to Rasika’s invaluable inputs as she leads our client relationships and grows our specialised media practice.”

     

    Bamba said, “I am excited to come on board lead the business and build the media practice at Quasar. Given the growth path the company has chalked out for the next 18 to 24 months, this is a great opportunity for us to deliver true value to our existing clients and bring on new ones to our roster.”

     

    Bamba brings to the table vast domain knowledge, a keen understanding of integrated media requirements and enjoys working with various facets of digital media to ensure thorough execution of the core business strategy to deliver results.

  • Hidesign appoints Narresh Mehtta as COO

    Hidesign appoints Narresh Mehtta as COO

    MUMBAI: Hidesign, a luxury brand, has appointed Narresh Mehtta as its chief operating officer. He will be based in Mumbai and report to the company’s president Dilip Kapur.

     

    Mehtta, a postgraduate degree holder in management, joins Hidesign with 25 years of experience spanning across various industries such as FMCG, engineering, healthcare, apparel and retailing. In his new role, he will be responsible to oversee the daily operations, provide company-wide alignment and help shape the company strategies.

     

     “We are very pleased to have Narresh on board with us. He brings with him immense experience and we are sure he will play a significant role in the continued profitable growth of Hidesign along with increasing customer value,” said Kapur.

     

    Mehtta brings with him extensive operations expertise, strong leadership and organisational skills along with a successful record of time management. In the past, he has also been sponsored for prestigious programmes such as the Strategic Management Programme by Ross School of Management, Michigan University.

     

    “Narresh is the right person to help implement systems and processes and be a part of the leadership team as the brand enters a phase of rapid growth into new geographies and categories.” added Vikas Kapur, who manages Hidesign’s international businesses.

     

    Mehtta has been associated with various companies such as Godrej, Blue Star and Oracle Finance. His last assignment was at Raymond as director-business development and franchise retail operations.

  • Grey Group India gets Projit Sarkar on board to head its Kolkata Office

    Grey Group India gets Projit Sarkar on board to head its Kolkata Office

    MUMBAI: Grey Group India has appointed Projit Sarkar as head of Kolkata operations.

     

    Sarkar brings with him an experience of nearly 13 years in brand and marketing communications. His last stint was with Amrit Group of companies where he was heading the brand and marketing department. The other agencies he has worked with include Genesis, Mileage, Mudra, O&M and Madison BMB.

     

    At Grey, Sarkar will report to the newly appointed chairman and managing director Sunil Lulla.

     

    Lulla said, “Grey Group is delighted to welcome Projit back to lead the growing operations of eastern India from Kolkata. His familiarity with the market place, clients and consumers coupled with his experience in brand and marketing communications will add tremendous value and benefit both the agency and clients based in the market. We look forward to him enabling Grey Group to be even more famous and effective, in the east of India.”

     

    Sarkar said, “Coming back to Grey Group is a homecoming.  I see and believe that there is a lot of opportunity to create value for internal and external stakeholders through meaningful effective marketing communication. Grey Group is the place where it can be done from. ”

     

    Projit has worked on various brands across categories like Telecom, Insurance, Banks, Retail, Cement, Tourism, FMCG, Footwear, Paints and Foods. His experience will enable the current roster of clients, which include West Bengal Tourism, Score Information Technologies, Tea Board of India, Mani Group, Philips Carbon Black and Haldiram’s, amongst others.

  • DDB Mudra North appoints Subhashish Dutta as senior CD

    DDB Mudra North appoints Subhashish Dutta as senior CD

    MUMBAI: Subhashish Dutta has joined DDB Mudra North’s formidable creative force as senior creative director (Art). He will be reporting to creative head Sambit Mohanty.

     

    After completing his BFA from College of Art (Delhi), Dutta’s advertising odyssey started out with Capital Advertising. In a career spanning 15 years, he has worked for leading agencies like Bates, Contract, Mudra and McCann before joining DDB Mudra (his second stint here). His diverse experience in various categories spans from Consumer Durables, Telecom, Automobiles and Hair-Care to Social Advertising. Subhashish has been actively involved in the creation and evolution of various brands like Nokia, Wrigley’s, Philips, Volkswagen, ESPN Star Sports, Jaypee Group, LG, Electrolux, Domino’s, Honda, Maruti, Dabur, Emami, NIIT, UNICEF, Videocon, Reebok and more.

     

    Dutta said, “It feels great to be part of DDB heritage where you get to work with such a young team with full of energy and enthusiasm. And I’m looking forward doing some fantastic work too.”

     

    Mohanty said, “Subhashish is a fantastic guy both in terms of talent and spirit. With him in place, our senior creative leadership is complete. His cheerful presence will undoubtedly make a positive difference to our work and workplace.”

  • Asheesh Malhotra joins Bates CHI&Partners as Mumbai head

    Asheesh Malhotra joins Bates CHI&Partners as Mumbai head

    MUMBAI: Bates CHI&Partners has appointed Asheesh Malhotra as president and head of its Mumbai office.

     

    Malhotra will report to CEO Srikanth VS and will work closely with chief strategy officer Sourabh Mishra and chief creative officer Manmohan Anchan (Maac), NCD Sagar Mahabaleshwarkar and other members of the management team to drive the India growth agenda.

     

    Srikanth said, “Asheesh is one of the most talented people in our business today. In particular, he shines at growing existing client relationships and winning new business. His appointment is key to our growth agenda, by demonstrating fully our ability to deliver ‘Big Ideas for Ambitious Brands’.”

     

    Malhotra with 18 years of experience, including his term with Ogilvy Mumbai from where he moves to Bates CHI&Partners, saw him leading the business on the largest Unilever portfolio  – the beverages division for south Asia. Besides Unilever, he also led the Castrol lubricants global hub in India, BP corporate and a clutch of financial businesses – Bank of India, SBI Life Insurance and Federal Bank.

     

    Anew business junkie Malhotra said, “Bates CHI&Partners is a true blue new model agency. It breaks the traditional mould of ‘in-house only talent and resources’, and instead practices true collaboration by pulling together the best resources that the world has to offer, especially in the disciplines of digital, social and retail. As a result, we can offer solutions that are designed to break through more quickly, thus saving clients loads of media bucks. Recent interactions with clients have reaffirmed the need for such a nimble and creative agency model.”

     

    From 2001 to 2009, Malhotra worked at Lowe Mumbai where he headed the Prudential Life Insurance brand since its inception in India.