ITV

Category: People

  • Sangeeta Chacko honoured with ‘Outstanding International Business Communicator’

    Sangeeta Chacko honoured with ‘Outstanding International Business Communicator’

    MUMBAI: Percept’s corporate communication head Sangeeta Chacko was conferred with the esteemed ‘Outstanding International Business Communicator 2013 Award’ by the National Organisation of Commerce and Industry (NOCI) in Thailand.

    The award recognised her dynamic and proactive role in conceptualising and leading a wide spectrum of communication activities including ATL & BTL stakeholder communication, advertising, PR, brand marketing, business development, digital & social media marketing and corporate social responsibility (CSR). It also recognised and honoured her multifaceted and innovative styles in communication designs, platforms and methodologies.

    The National Organisation of Commerce and Industry (NOCI) instituted the first edition of the ‘Outstanding International Awards’ in the APAC region with an aim to felicitate excellence in business and outstanding contribution made by individuals and institutions towards Society and National Welfare. The award recognised the international influence and impact the recipients demonstrated via their exemplary work across the fields of Business, Leadership, Communications, Health, Education, Tourism, Entrepreneurship, Banking and Social Causes.

    The Jury panel comprised senior stalwarts from various industrial fields renowned for their contribution towards the economic, professional and educational fields in India and overseas. The awards are a testimony towards the proactive attitude, innovation, contribution and global perspective reflected by the recipient towards business and economy.

     

  • Cheil Worldwide SW Asia ropes in Atishi Pradhan as chief strategy officer

    Cheil Worldwide SW Asia ropes in Atishi Pradhan as chief strategy officer

    MUMBAI: Cheil Worldwide SW Asia has appointed Atishi Pradhan as chief strategy officer.

    At the agency, Pradhan will lead the integrated strategy function, encompassing traditional, digital, retail and experiential divisions. She will also be spearheading the agency’s proprietary category/consumer knowledge initiatives and guide both current and potential clients on brand marketing strategies.

    On the appointment, Cheil Worldwide SW Asia chief operating officer Hari Krishnan said, “We are delighted to have Atishi on board to lead our integrated strategy function. As Cheil exponentially continues to grow business and capability, the need is to establish thought leadership. Atishi brings the much-needed mindset and experience for us to focus and succeed in this area. Her ability to create engaging, strategically-led ideas will be invaluable to Cheil.”

    Prior to this, Pradhan was with Mogae Media, which she joined in February 2012 as chief strategy officer. She has over two and a half decades of experience in diverse categories ranging from FMCG to technology, education and health under her belt.

    Talking about her new role, Pradhan said, “I am really excited about working at Cheil. I believe there are many exciting opportunities ahead as it is an era where technology and new media are transforming everything around them. I look to bring about transformations that drive brand solutions and create brand opportunities.”

  • Mike Wilson to spearhead new Australia operations for Havas

    Mike Wilson to spearhead new Australia operations for Havas

    MUMBAI: Havas, one of the world’s largest advertising groups, has announced the launch of a new fully-owned media agency in Sydney, to be spearheaded by award winning media personality Mike Wilson.

    Wilson joins the group after nine years with multi service agency Naked, which he co-founded, and nurtured into an award winning hot shop claiming several Cannes Lions and Effie wins. Wilson’s immediate mandate is to manage the Group’s existing pool of blue chip clients, including new wins LG Electronics and Emirates. He has also been tasked with expansion of the Havas Media Group in Australia and launching specialist brands to provide a strong, integrated offering to clients. 

    Mike Wilson will work out of the agency’s Sydney office and report into Vishnu Mohan, CEO Asia Pacific Havas Media Group. His appointment is effective from 25 November 2013.

    On his new role as Havas Media group Australia CEO, Wilson said, “The communications landscape has changed beyond recognition over the past decade, particularly with the advent of digital and mobile, yet there has been very limited innovation in the media agency sector. The time is right. Clients demand a 21st century media agency is available to help navigate this confusing landscape. There also needs to be a media agency destination for hungry young media professionals aiming to forge a career which is rewarding and epoch-shaping. With this new way of working Havas Media will be the agency of choice for the ambitious, where they will be supported, nurtured and challenged to be the industry’s very best.”

    Havas Media Group Australia will replicate the simplified global structure designed to channel the group’s digital, data and content teams into the heart of clients’ teams. Earlier this year, Havas announced the restructuring of its global media operations, which saw the creation of Havas Media Group – consisting of just two media brands Havas Media (formally known as MPG) and Arena.

    Commenting on the new operations, Havas Media Group global MD, Dominique Delport said: “Australia is one of the most dynamic and exciting markets in the world and we are committed to replicating the success that our creative agency Havas Worldwide has witnessed under the leadership of Anthony Gregorio, CEO of Havas Worldwide. Mike’s introduction came to us at a pivotal time for our Australian operations. Vishnu Mohan, our Havas Media Group CEO for the region, has known and respected Mike for years and, as the wider restructure at Havas developed, it became essential that we brought in someone who has worked across the specialist disciplines within the industry. Mike’s broad minded and cross disciplined approach to media will be instrumental to our success in this important region.”

  • Avian Media ropes in Palin Ningthoujam

    Avian Media ropes in Palin Ningthoujam

    MUMBAI: Avian Media has appointed Palin Ningthoujam to spearhead its digital practice. The appointment will further strengthen Avian’s existing capabilities in the digital space.

    With more than a decade of experience Ningthoujam will be responsible for building the firms digital thought leadership, internal digital adoption and lead client strategy, execution and analytics. Besides, Ningthoujam will scout for opportunities to incorporate reputation management and digital marketing.

    Commenting on his new role, Ningthoujam, said, “Today, clients are looking at tighter integration of digital in marketing, communication and customer service initiatives with teams that understand business requirements, quality in execution and ideas with substance. My priority at Avian Media will be to work on these expectations and take the delivery a notch higher in the industry. Avian Media, with its strong leadership and passionate teams, has attracted good clients and industry accolades in the past few years. I believe this is the right place that offers the flexibility, creativity, and culture that will help me work towards industry priorities.”

    On the appointment, Avian Media CEO and business partner Nitin Mantri said, ‘In today’s era when social media is transforming the communication industry globally, companies are opting for an integrated PR and digital approach for brands. Online reputation management holds the key to building prominence, popularity and preference for companies. Hence, it is crucial for us to strengthen our base with talented professionals who will reinforce our ongoing strategic focus on delivering successful digital campaigns for clients. Palin has the experience of working across sectors and we will use his rich pool of knowledge to steer Avian’s growth on the digital front.”  

    Ningthoujam has led award winning digital campaigns for various organisations in auto, technology, food, and travel sectors. He founded the India PR Blog in 2006 which ranks among top PR blogs globally. He has also written extensively for leading US based social media blog, Mashable.com, reviewing and comparing online tools, and also has written for key blogs such as Desicritics and New Communications Review. He also founded the ‘Network of PR Professionals’ group on Linkedin.

  • Taproot India hires Mayuresh Dubhashi as associate CD

    Taproot India hires Mayuresh Dubhashi as associate CD

    MUMBAI: With plans to strengthen its creative team, Taproot India has hired Mayuresh Dubhashi as associate creative director.

    “There’s a reason why Taproot is the hottest agency in the country. It’s got the best brands and the best people handling them and more importantly, it’s going to offer the best possible opportunities to up my game,” said Dubhashi on his new job.

    He has eight years of experience. He started work at Lowe Lintas on Idea, Wheel, Surf Excel etc and then moved onto JWT Mumbai, where he spent over five years.
    Apart from many metals at Goa fest, he has also won the Young Lotus competition, represented India at Ad fest 2011 and won ‘Silver.’

    “I have worked with him in the past hence I know his strengths, passion and attitude towards work,” said Taproot India co-founder and chief creative officer Agnello Dias about Dubhashi.

    “Taproot India is a strong believer of young blood, Mayuresh is young and yet very mature in his thinking and approach,” added Taproot India co-founder and chief creative officer Santosh Padhi.

    Taproot India has 46 people operating from a single office, Mumbai.

  • Karthik Srinivasan joins Ogilvy as Social@Ogilvy national lead

    Karthik Srinivasan joins Ogilvy as Social@Ogilvy national lead

    MUMBAI: Ogilvy India today announced the appointment of Karthik Srinivasan as Social@Ogilvy national lead.

    Srinivasan, who was previously Flipkart AVP corporate communications, comes with over 14 years of experience, both as a client as well as an agency professional. He has led PR, digital and social media agency mandates for brands like Intel, Lenovo, ARM, Cisco, Cricinfo, General Motors, BlackBerry, LinkedIn and Infosys, among others. 

    Besides being a regular in major social media and digital events in the country, Srinivasan is also a prolific blogger, with two blogs – one on communications, branding and PR, and the other on music reviews.

    Ogilvy, as a brand, is all about bright, path-breaking ideas says Karthik Srinivasan

    Ogilvy India chief digital officer Kunal Jeswani said, “Social@Ogilvy is already India’s largest social media agency practice. Our ability to connect strong social skills with creative and content capabilities has driven dramatic growth for us over the past five years. The social landscape is constantly evolving and Karthik has the right skills to help us shape the future of Social@Ogilvy. His experience in handling large social media mandates will also help us offer truly seamless social solutions to our clients.”

    Social@Ogilvy is Ogilvy’s cross-discipline specialist social media offering which has highly skilled social media leaders collaborating with the agency’s digital, public relations and creative practices to create seamless and effective social media solutions for client businesses.

    Social@Ogilvy asia-pacific director added, “Karthik’s appointment further strengthens our market-leading position for social media in the asia-pacific region. The strength of our team is directly derived from our ability to attract leaders of Karthik’s calibre. His knowledge and experience will immediately bring great value to our clients in India and across the region.”

    Srinivasan, on his new role at Ogilvy commented, “Ogilvy, as a brand, is all about bright, path-breaking ideas. And social media, as a function, has moved its focus away from run-rate platform management to creative ideas that work at the intersection of multiple client functions – marketing, corporate reputation, customer relationship, supply chain and human resources, among others. With the kind and nature of clients Ogilvy has in India, I see tremendous potential in the use of social media to make a tangible difference to their businesses.”

  • Naveen Anand to take up global role at Amway

    Naveen Anand to take up global role at Amway

    MUMBAI: Effective 1 December, Amway India senior vice president marketing Naveen Anand will be seen in his new role of global marketing director of core nutrition. His new position requires him to relocate to Amway headquarters in Michigan. Reporting to Naveen will be the global nutrition marketing core team. In his new role, Anand will be responsible for the development and execution of the global nutrition marketing strategy.

    He began his career at Amway India almost 16 years ago as marketing manager in India overseeing India’s marketing department, and since then has been instrumental in building the Amway India business to approximately $400 million in sales. Under Anand’s leadership nutrition and prestige beauty business (Nutrilite and Artistry) has been market leaders; Nutrition clogged a market share of 23.8 per cent in Vitamin and dietary supplements category; whereas Artistry acquired 59.3 per cent in premium facial care category in the year 2012.

    Anand also spearheaded highly successful Amway mass media campaigns, starting with mother brand Amway and later on adding Nutrilite, Artistry and Attitude to the mass media campaign.

    Anand has also been a member of the global CMO Council for over five years. In this role he contributed significantly towards strengthening of global marketing brands both in Amway India as well as across the globe.

    Prior to Amway, Anand worked at Karishma Adverting (part of Lowe Lintas) and Reckitt and Colman.  

  • Contract appoints Monojit Ray as Bengaluru head

    Contract appoints Monojit Ray as Bengaluru head

    MUMBAI: The Bengaluru arm of Contract has got a new head. Monojit Ray has been appointed as the general manager and vice president with immediate effect. He will take charge from Anitha Krishnan who was with the company for 10 years.

    Ray will handle not just the Bengaluru portfolio but also be responsible for the growth of Contract in south India. “Monojit’s diverse advertising and marketing experience of over 18 years, complimented by his entrepreneurial experience makes him an ideal choice for heading the Bengaluru office,” said Contract Advertising COO Rana Barua.

    Monojit Ray has 18 years of experience in the field

    Prior to this, Ray has worked with Ogilvy, Rediffusion, Radio City, Autocop and Everest. “I think it’s a great opportunity and a challenge to be part of a rejuvenated Contract. The vision that Rana has set for the agency is right up my street. And I sincerely believe that the Bengaluru office will play an extremely important role in achieving that goal. I, for one, am extremely excited to be part of this new journey, and I hope that I will be able to make my team as excited about it as we go along,” said Ray.

    Ray had earlier managed Sachin Tendulkar’s first major advertising assignment with Phillips. He was prominent in launching Tata Teleservices in Hyderabad. He is not new to the IT city, having worked there before. He was also the cricket coach and consultant for the movie Kai Po Che.

  • Neo@Ogilvy enters into JV with Smile Group, appoints Sanjay Ramakrishnan as country head

    Neo@Ogilvy enters into JV with Smile Group, appoints Sanjay Ramakrishnan as country head

    MUMBAI:Ogilvy India has announced a joint venture between Neo@Ogilvy and Smile Group. The move will strengthen the agency’s performance marketing, e-commerce and mobile offerings. The JV will also set up a global media delivery hub to service Neo@Ogilvy’s global media operations.

    Not only this, Neo@Ogilvy India has also announced the appointment of Sanjay Ramakrishnan as country head.

    Talking on the JV, Ogilvy South Asia chairman and creative director Piyush Pandey said, “This JV is one more step ahead in our digital journey. Harish’s experience in Digital Media and eCommerce will help drive rapid growth in these areas. And Sanjay Ramakrishnan is a fantastic young business leader with the right skills to lead Neo@Ogilvy in India.”

    Elaborating on the vision of the partnership Smile Group chairman Harish Bahl said, “The JV will help offer world class services to local and global clients of Ogilvy and Neo respectively, using the expertise and experience of Smile in the areas of performance marketing, e-commerce and mobile.” Adding he said, “Sanjay, who will be the country head of Neo@Ogilvy India, brings on board a good blend of e-retail and performance marketing expertise both in internet & mobile and is best positioned to build a leadership position for Neo India around this business focus, which we believe are the future high growth areas for digital agencies.”

    Ramakrishnan has over 15 years experience across digital media, e-commerce, mobile, telecom and consumer technology. He moves in from Vizury where he was the GM for India, S.E. Asia and MENA; prior to this, he was SVP marketing at Myntra. He has also held senior marketing roles at Google, Intel, Geodesic and Worldspace.

    The aim is to recast Neo@Ogilvy as one of the most effective digital media companies in the country says Ramakrishnan

    OgilvyOne India president and country head Vikram Menon said, “We’re really excited with the JV with Smile Group. Strategically this fits perfectly into our plans to offer the best capability across digital to our clients. The Neo-Smile JV, with Sanjay at its helm, will do just that. He will ensure that Ogilvy is able to deliver the best across digital media, performance marketing, e-commerce and mobile.”

    While OgilvyOne drives all digital strategy and creative services for clients in India, Neo@Ogilvy’s specific focus is on digital media, performance marketing, e-commerce and mobile marketing. Neo@Ogilvy’s client roster in India includes IBM, Diageo, British Airways, The Economist and The Which Group, among others.

    On his appointment, Ramakrishnan said, “I am excited to be part of Ogilvy and drive this JV with the Smile Group. The aim is to recast Neo@Ogilvy as one of the most effective digital media companies in the country with a clear focus on performance marketing, mobile and e-commerce. I have been a marketer all my life and I believe there is a gap in the way paid digital media is intergrated with traditional marketing and communication.The goal is to change that through Neo@Ogilvy. End-to-end e-commerce solution is another unique offering that this JV brings to the table and I’m keen to use the skills I have to drive it.”

  • TBWAIndia names R. Venkatraman “Venky” as creative director

    TBWAIndia names R. Venkatraman “Venky” as creative director

    MUMBAI: TBWA India has got on board R. Venkatraman (Venky) as creative director. In his new position, Venky will join the creative team in Mumbai, reporting to TBWA India chief creative officer Parixit Bhattacharya.

    With eight years experience in advertising, Venky has worked at Grey Worldwide, Creativeland Asia and BBH India. His brand experience includes Appy Fizz, Mango Frooti, LMN, Johnnie Walker, Red Bull, Kinetic Honda, Café Coffee Day, Gili Jewellery, Movies Now, Vaseline Men and Google.

    In recent years, Venky’s work was shortlisted at Cannes Lions and has won metal at ADFEST, Spikes Asia and GOAFEST. He also holds the accolade of Business World voting him as one of the ‘Top 5 Young Advertising Professionals’ in India.

    Commenting on the appointment, Bhattacharya said, “Venky has a stellar work ethic and a very matured head on his young shoulders. I am hoping that our rich roster of clients will nourish him with new opportunities to create an enviable body of work. Needless to say, by having him around, the laughter index of the agency will rise significantly too.”

    “My quest for work-type fun brings me to TBWA and I am very, very excited to be here,” Venky added. “Now it’s all about turning that excitement into work that will make a difference to the brands we nurture here.”