ITV

Category: People

  • Fraser Castellino appointed as the COO of Kings XI Punjab

    Fraser Castellino appointed as the COO of Kings XI Punjab

    MUMBAI: Kings XI Punjab today announced the appointment of Fraser Castellino as their new COO. Fraser has over a decade’s experience of working in the sports industry.  Besides leadership roles in IPL teams like Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals, he has also been instrumental in setting up the Sahara Group’s polo and other non- cricketing ventures. 

     

    Commenting on the announcement, Promoters of Kings XI Punjab said: “We are pleased to have Fraser Castellino as our new COO. We are confident that his vast experience in the sports field, especially IPL, will benefit KXIP. His vision and guidance will help us grow further. With a new and strong team squad, along with Fraser in the management, we are upbeat and looking forward to a great tournament this year, both on and off the field. ”  

     

    “It is an absolute honour for me to be a part of Kings XI Punjab and I would like to thank the management for showing this faith in me. Having been a part of the IPL since its inception, I am looking forward to replicating a similar success with the franchise. With a brand new team and a fully charged fanbase, the season looks extremely promising for the team.” said Fraser Castellino, COO, Kings XI Punjab. 

     

    Fraser is a marketing graduate from Mumbai and also has a bachelor’s degree from St Xaviers.

  • MediaCom appoints Rathi Gangappa as head west

    MediaCom appoints Rathi Gangappa as head west

    MUMBAI: MediaCom has brought on board Rathi Gangappa as head west.

     

    She will report to MediaCom India MD Debraj Tripathy and will oversee P&G along with rest of the west businesses that include the VW group, HRI, Vespa and others.

     

    Tripathy said, “I am delighted to welcome Rathi to the MediaCom family. I am confident her varied experience across organisations, both agencies and advertisers, and across categories will help us deliver greater value to our clients. I wish her the very best for a long and enriching career with MediaCom”

     

    Prior to joining Mediacom, Gangappa was at Vodafone as the head of media and was subsequently in charge of developing Vodafone’s mobile marketing product. She has been instrumental in building Vodafone’s leading media identity and driving their strategic media solutions.

     

    Gangappa started her career in Lintas Media after which she moved to Maximize (now Maxus) when GroupM India was formed. In a career spanning over 18 years, Gangappa has worked with clients like Unilever, Hutch/ Vodafone, Tata Motors, Britannia and Walt Disney.

     

    Gangappa said, “I am excited to be joining the talented team at Mediacom and working with some of the most prestigious brands in India. MediaCom has been growing fast and has produced some of the best work in the industry. It is a challenge to keep up the pace and I am looking forward to it.”

  • I will take a break and then decide on options available: Pratap Bose

    I will take a break and then decide on options available: Pratap Bose

    MUMBAI: After working for six years with DDB Mudra, the chief operating officer, Pratap Bose, is taking a summer holiday!

     

    The news of him quitting the agency broke yesterday. However, not many were surprised with it as the reason of him putting down his papers was known. The group CEO and MD Madhukar Kamath has been given a four year extension at the agency and it is this reason why Bose resigned. Bose was expected to take over from Kamath, post his expected retirement.

     

    Without indulging more on the subject Bose says, “It was a quick decision for me given the circumstances. But it has been glorious six years with the agency and I’m looking for the next chapter in my life and career.”

     

    Bose has already been approached by other agencies, but he hasn’t taken any decision yet. “I might take a break for a while and then decide on the options.”

     

    His last day in the agency is 11 April but will be available for handover or any work, if needed.

     

    No one will be replacing him in the agency and people reporting to him will now be directly reporting to Kamath.

     

    Prior to joining Mudra, Bose was with Ogilvy & Mather for 17 years; in 2006, he was named (youngest) CEO of the agency.

     

    A chartered accountant by qualification, Bose has also worked across markets – national and international.

     

    Last year, he was appointed as the president of the Ad Club and will continue to spearhead it.

  • Sangeeta Chacko receives ‘Bharat Excellence Award’ and ‘Rashtriya Mahila Gold Award’

    Sangeeta Chacko receives ‘Bharat Excellence Award’ and ‘Rashtriya Mahila Gold Award’

    MUMBAI: Ms. Sangeeta Chacko, Head – Corporate Communications, Percept Limited, received the distinguished  ‘Bharat Excellence 2014 Award’ and the ‘Rashtriya Mahila 2014 Gold Award’ at the India International Centre in New Delhi on March 29, 2014.

     

    Ms. Sangeeta Chacko received the ‘Bharat Excellence Award’ for her exceptional contribution and excellence achieved in the domain of Brand Communications  and Public Relations spanning multiple industries across India & South Asia over the past 2 decades.

     

    The   ‘Rashtriya   Mahila   Gold   Award’   was   also   exclusively   presented   to   Sangeeta   Chacko acknowledging  her  unstinting  efforts  and  achievements  as  a  leading  female  protagonist  in  the Business Communications, Academic & Corporate Social Responsibility sectors in India.

     

    The awards which carried a Citation, Gold Medal and a Certificate of Excellence, was presented by Shri Chaudhury Randhir Singh, Former Governor of Sikkim, at a National Seminar entitled ‘Economic Growth & National Unity’.

     

    The  ‘Bharat  Excellence  Award’  and  ‘Rashtriya  Mahila  Award’  acknowledged  Sangeeta  Chacko’s vibrant  and  proactive  role  in  the  Communications   domain  and  paid  tribute  to  her  versatile  & pioneering styles of originality and creativity over the past 20 years. Her growing involvement and contribution towards the Educational sector, SME industries and CSR platforms served as further testimony to her growing impact and dedication to Social and National Welfare.

     

    The ‘Bharat Excellence  Awards’ is instituted  by the Friendship  Forum of India, a New Delhi based social  & cultural  organization  focused  on forging  greater  unity,  integrity  and  collaboration  among Indians across

     

    Ms. Sangeeta Chacko, Head – Corporate Communications, Percept Limited, received the distinguished  ‘Bharat Excellence 2014 Award’ and the ‘Rashtriya Mahila 2014 Gold Award’ at the India International Centre in New Delhi on March 29, 2014.

     

    Ms. Sangeeta Chacko received the ‘Bharat Excellence Award’ for her exceptional contribution and excellence achieved in the domain of Brand Communications  and Public Relations spanning multiple industries across India & South Asia over the past 2 decades.

     

    The   ‘Rashtriya   Mahila   Gold   Award’   was   also   exclusively   presented   to   Sangeeta   Chacko acknowledging  her  unstinting  efforts  and  achievements  as  a  leading  female  protagonist  in  the Business Communications, Academic & Corporate Social Responsibility sectors in India.

     

    The awards which carried a Citation, Gold Medal and a Certificate of Excellence, was presented by Shri Chaudhury Randhir Singh, Former Governor of Sikkim, at a National Seminar entitled ‘Economic Growth & National Unity’.

     

    The  ‘Bharat  Excellence  Award’  and  ‘Rashtriya  Mahila  Award’  acknowledged  Sangeeta  Chacko’s vibrant  and  proactive  role  in  the  Communications   domain  and  paid  tribute  to  her  versatile  & pioneering styles of originality and creativity over the past 20 years. Her growing involvement and contribution towards the Educational sector, SME industries and CSR platforms served as further testimony to her growing impact and dedication to Social and National Welfare.

     

    The ‘Bharat Excellence  Awards’ is instituted  by the Friendship  Forum of India, a New Delhi based social  & cultural  organization  focused  on forging  greater  unity,  integrity  and  collaboration  among Indians across the globe. The Award recognizes  the various achievements,  excellence  in business and  outstanding  contribution  made  by  individuals  and  institutions  towards  Society  and  National Welfare.  The  awards  are  a testimony  towards  the  proactive  attitude,  innovation,  contribution  and global perspective reflected by the recipient towards business and economy.

     

    About 40 individuals from around the country were presented the Bharat Excellence Award for their contribution   in  education,   social  work,  medicine,  arts,  science  and  entrepreneurship.   Previous eminent awardees include Governor Khurasheed Alam Khan, Sunil Dutt, Justice P.N. Bhagwati, Dev Anand,  Shammi  Kapoor,  Ustad  Amjad  Ali  Khan,  Sunil  Gavaskar,  Manik  Dastoor,  and  Shri  BKS Iyengar.

     

    the globe. The Award recognizes  the various achievements,  excellence  in business and  outstanding  contribution  made  by  individuals  and  institutions  towards  Society  and  National Welfare.  The  awards  are  a testimony  towards  the  proactive  attitude,  innovation,  contribution  and global perspective reflected by the recipient towards business and economy.

     

    About 40 individuals from around the country were presented the Bharat Excellence Award for their contribution   in  education,   social  work,  medicine,  arts,  science  and  entrepreneurship.   Previous eminent awardees include Governor Khurasheed Alam Khan, Sunil Dutt, Justice P.N. Bhagwati, Dev Anand,  Shammi  Kapoor,  Ustad  Amjad  Ali  Khan,  Sunil  Gavaskar,  Manik  Dastoor,  and  Shri  BKS Iyengar.

  • Red Chillies appoints Gaurav Verma as chief revenue officer

    Red Chillies appoints Gaurav Verma as chief revenue officer

    MUMBAI: Red Chillies Entertainment has appointed Gaurav Verma as its new chief revenue officer. 

     

    Verma, comes with an immense experience in exhibition and distribution. In the past seven years he has spearheaded the distribution of over 100 films in six major languages. Verma has been involved with some of the biggest and path breaking films like Raajneeti, Paan Singh Tomar, Delhi Belly, Barfi, Ship Of Theseus and Chennai Express.

     

    In his previous role as Disney executive director theatrical distribution, Verma was handling worldwide theatrical distribution. Before Disney, Gaurav was head of distribution at PVR Pictures. 

     

    Making the announcement, RCE CEO Venky Mysore said, “As we work towards becoming a full-fledged studio, senior executive, with proven track records, such as Gaurav will play key roles. Our main endeavour is to develop high quality content and to disseminate it in ways that consumers are demanding it.”

     

  • Mozilla CEO Brendan Eich steps down over political backlash

    Mozilla CEO Brendan Eich steps down over political backlash

    MUMBAI: One of Silicon Valley’s leading firms’ chief executive stepped down just days after his appointment, amid huge uproar on the internet that was sparked by employees who complained about his opposition to gay marriage.

     

    Brendan Eich resigned from Mozilla, the organisation behind the Firefox web browser, after intense criticism over a six-year-old, $1,000 donation he made in support of a 2008 California ballot initiative to ban gay marriage.

     

    Eich, who invented JavaScript and helped start Mozilla in 1998, was appointed as CEO in late March. After he was named, some Mozilla employees took to Twitter to call for his resignation. He then apologised for causing “pain” and made a commitment to promote equality for gay and lesbian individuals at Mozilla.

     

    In a blog post Thursday, Mozilla’s executive chairwoman, Mitchell Baker, apologised for Eich’s appointment, writing, “We have employees with a wide diversity of views. Our culture of openness extends to encouraging staff and community to share their beliefs and opinions in public… But this time we failed to listen, to engage, and to be guided by our community.”

     

    In a statement provided by Mozilla, Eich said: “I have decided to resign as CEO effective today, and leave Mozilla. Our mission is bigger than any one of us, and under the present circumstances, I cannot be an effective leader. I will be taking time before I decide what to do next.”

     

    In her blog post, Mozilla’s chairwoman Baker wrote: “While painful, the events of the last week show exactly why we need the Web. So all of us can engage freely in the tough conversations we need to make the world better.”

     

    Mozilla grew out of Netscape, the company behind the first popular Web browser Mosaic. Comprised of the nonprofit Mozilla Foundation and its taxpaying subsidiary, Mozilla Corp, the organisation develops open-source, free software with its own employees and a global community of third-party developers. It is best known for its Firefox Web browser, but maintains several other products including Bugzilla, which tracks online software bugs, and Firefox OS, a mobile operating system.

  • Ajay Trigunayat bids adieu to Times Television Network

    Ajay Trigunayat bids adieu to Times Television Network

    MUMBAI: Not too long ago we at indiantelevision.com were the first to report that the former Disney UTV Media Networks MD MK Anand will be taking over as the new MD and CEO of Times Television Network (TTN), stepping into Sunil Lulla’s shoes.

     

    Well, now news is that TTN English entertainment channels CEO Ajay Trigunayat has called it a day. Sources close to the network have revealed that Trigunayat will be shortly moving on from the Times Group and is currently ensuring that the transition is smooth for his team.

     

    The source reveals that there will be centralisation of functions now. While earlier all the functions like – HR, finance, distribution, legal, among other things, reported to Times Now, ET Now and Zoom CEO Avinash Kaul, they will now be directly reporting to M K Anand.

     

    Plans are also afoot for getting in a network sales head, currently for the English cluster (Movies Now and Romedy Now). The network has undergone some major reshuffling. While it has appointed Mandeep Singh as network sales head; Movies Now head of sales for north Arunabh Madhur, will now take charge of national sales for the channel. Not only this, Movies Now head of sales for west Siddharth Chopra has been elevated to Romedy Now national sales head.

     

    “Both these individuals have been around since the inception of Movies Now, which was back in 2010, and have been given the responsibility keeping in mind their commitment and hard work for the network,” says the source.

     

    “The idea is to completely centralise the work flow of the network and to get a chief sales/revenue officer and hold fort and report directly to M K Anand,” reveals the source.

     

    On the marketing front Shantanu Gangane will head it for both Movies Now and Romedy Now; and the programming and content team will directly report to M K Anand.

     

    Prior to joining TTN, Trigunayat was in the Middle East in an entrepreneurial capacity, and has also been the business head of the Zee English Channels bouquet, and put in stints at Lintas, Contract and Rediffusion and at Pepsi in a sales role.

     

    But, that’s not all! In another blow to the network, the source also reveals that Romedy Now associate business head Harsh Sheth is on his way out from the network, but will be handling operations for at least another couple of months.

     

    Sheth has been with the TTN for just over three years; first handling the channel and business strategy for Movies Now for a period of nearly two years and then being acknowledged and elevated as the associate business head for the seven month old English entertainment channel, Romedy Now.

     

    Prior to joining the network, Sheth has had a stint with Star India, starting out by working and handling varied Star properties across genres i.e. Star Gold, Star Movies, Star World, Star Pravah and Channel [V]. His mandate was to use consumer insights for scheduling, on-air presentation, distribution, marketing and content. He also looked after content acquisition and development of fiction as well as non-fiction shows for Channel [V] later on. He started out as an assistant manager – key accounts with TAM Media Research and handled clients like Sony, Sahara, Disney, UTV, MTV.

     

    Both Trigunayat and Sheth were unavailable for comment, even after repeated attempts. Both these individuals have been instrumental in running the English cluster for TTN and will certainly be a loss to the organisation.

  • IPAN Hill+Knowlton Strategies announces new leadership for key offices

    IPAN Hill+Knowlton Strategies announces new leadership for key offices

    MUMBAI: Hill+Knowlton Strategies, one of the leading and most respected public affairs and public relations firms in the world, today announced changes to the leadership in two of its most established offices in India, reflecting a period of sustained and robust growth across its largest operations.

     
    Vinod Moorthy, a member of the H+K Strategies team since 2007, has been appointed as Senior Vice President, North India and APAC regional Corporate Practice Leader. Vinod will be based in the H+K Strategies Gurgaon office and takes on this new role after a successful tenure as Senior Vice President, West.

     

    Devasis Chattopadhay, who joined H+K Strategies in early 2013, has been promoted to VP, West India with responsibility for the Mumbai operations and the continued growth of the finance practice across India.  He most recently served as Senior Client Services Director in Mumbai.

     

    Radhika Shapoorjee, President, South Asia & India, H+K Strategies commented: “The opportunity in a market like India is that we are in transformative times where we are seeing a political and social change that will have a huge impact on business.  This rapid pace of change and growth needs leaders who are flexible and quick to adapt new environments with ease.  We inherently believe in giving our senior people the opportunity to experience new markets and take on new roles both in India and internationally.  Vinod has been an instrumental part of the Mumbai business for over seven years, and in that time has grown our footprint into diverse sectors including infrastructure, entertainment, FMCG and finance and we’re looking forward to seeing more of that expansion in North India.  Devasis has exactly the right level of experience and passion to take the Mumbai business forward to even greater heights. These are exciting times for us here in India.”

               

    Vinod has been associated with the Indian communications industry for over two decades, and has exposure spanning diverse sectors & disciplines. He is a crisis communications expert and has advised CEOs across a wide range of industries on issues including managing policy & regulatory challenges, factory closure & industrial relations, consumer crisis, NGO activism, tax litigation, aircraft crash landing, and environment & health issues.

     

    Devasis brings nearly three decades of senior experience in the corporate and financial communications sector to H+K Strategies. His special expertise is in identifying and resolving the highest priority communication challenges of diversified corporate entities and organizations operating across sectors.  Before joining H+K Strategies he held senior positions in companies in the finance and various industrial sectors.

  • Zohar Furniturewala joins Scarecrow as ECD

    Zohar Furniturewala joins Scarecrow as ECD

    MUMBAI: To beef up its art department – Scarecrow – is bringing Zohar Furniturewala on board as ECD.

     

    Commenting on the development, Scarecrow founder director Manish Bhatt said:  “At the current stage of Scarecrow’s nonstop four year long journey, Scarecrow handles many  brands like ITC  (Vivel & Fiama Di Wills), Joy Cosmetics, Vimal, Lava and other brands across various categories like lifestyle, personal care, beauty, fashion etc. which demand new design ideas every day. So, apart from Kapil Tammal, Scarecrow was looking for one more design mentor, which we found in Zohar. He is not only a great design mind but also a great idea person and an occasional writer too. And his experience of running a design house will help him to become one of the rare creative people who understand the business we are in.”

     

    Furniturewala will be joining the agency’s Mumbai office on 1 April. As its aftermath, Scarecrow Mumbai Art department will be divided into two groups. Kapil Tammal and Zohar Furniturewala will mentor the Art department and each group will handle more than 15 brands.

     

    Zohar has fifteen years of experience in creating and executing idea-led brand campaigns & design projects, while running agencies and creative departments. Specific areas of expertise include: creative leadership, robust knowledge of advertising and communication, great inter-personal relationships, team playing, perfectionism, freethinking and learning.

     

    Thorough with creative business management aided by a keen insight and understanding of how businesses and clients work, Zohar founded the Thunk Design Company in 2007, where he handled fashion & lifestyle brands, home appliances and media brands (Reliance Corporate, Mustang Socks and Accessories, Optima Communications -Middle East, Chromozome Men’s Innerwear, Futurebazaar.com.)

     

    After studying BFA from Sir J.J. Institute of Applied Arts majoring in Typography, Zohar started his career in Ambience in 1998.

  • Fab.com’s Maria Molland joins American Swan board of directors

    Fab.com’s Maria Molland joins American Swan board of directors

    MUMBAI: The online global fashion and lifestyle brand American Swan has appointed Maria Molland to the company’s board of directors.

     

    Optimistic about her association with a vibrant brand like American Swan Maria Molland said, “It feels exciting to join a young, dynamic brand and there is a massive opportunity for American Swan vis-?-vis the increasing amount of capital going into emerging markets. I look forward to bringing my expertise to the brand and help them expand their impressive product range in global markets, as they enter their next stage of growth”

     

    As a new entrant in the e-commerce space, American Swan is one of the rare examples that has adopted fast and strived for efficiency in a competitive domain. Its initiative to adopt the hybrid model by venturing into online and offline channels simultaneously has helped it maximise reach and de-risk the business. The growth for the American Swan brand has been fairly fast-paced, encouraging and consistent. So expanding the brand’s footprint globally after establishing itself in India was an inevitable next step.

     

    American Swan director and CEO Anurag Rajpal added, “We are delighted to have Maria Molland join us. She brings broad, international experience and deep knowledge of the e-commerce industry. We are confident that the perspective she brings to American Swan and its Board is extremely valuable, given our strategic priorities of International presence and ecommerce growth.”

     

    Molland will bring her vast experience in ecommerce to advise American Swan on international expansion as it seeks to be the leading online fashion brand in emerging markets apart from bringing the best ecommerce practices. American Swan has grown quickly in the Indian e-commerce domain by offering a range of classic preppy fashion and authentic smart casuals to the urban fashion-conscious consumers who seek International brands and styling. It is rapidly expanding to other emerging markets in Asia.

     

    Molland is an executive who recently served as the chief European officer at Fab.com, one of the fastest growing ecommerce companies. The European business grew from negligible to more than 40 per cent of Fab’s global revenues during her tenure.

     

    Prior to Fab, Molland was the global managing director of Digital Ventures at Thomson Reuters where she managed teams in the US, Europe, India, China and the Middle East. Molland has also held global executive roles at Dow Jones and Yahoo.

     

    India has close to 10 million online shoppers and is growing at an estimated 3 per cent CAGR and is poised to witness significant growth in the next few years. It has been speculated that the industry will touch a benchmark of $34.2 billion by 2015. As the e-commerce business is growing by leaps and bounds, the growth in the sector is a reflection of evolving nature of the market and that of the consumer. American Swan as a new, dynamic brand is seeking avenues to increase its presence through top online aggregators like Myntra, Jabong, and Flipkart as well as through a strong retail footprint pan India. Four Cross Media (www.fourcrossmedia.com), a high-end global digital media conglomerate with a network of innovative businesses has invested Rs 40 crore in this venture.

     

     “We welcome Molland at American Swan. There are not many entrepreneurs who have had the chance to scale companies from small teams to hundreds of people globally, and Maria has done that. We are looking forward to leveraging her expertise with fast growing technology companies as we continue to grow our business,” says Four Cross Media Asia co-founder and managing director Puneet Johar.