Mumbai: After nearly five years at Taboola, where he led the APAC account management team from their Bangkok HQ, Akshay Singh has made a significant career move.
He now embarks on a new venture as co-founder of BlueOrbit, focusing on performance marketing and arbitrage.
Prior to Taboola, he was associated with Sizmek by Amazon, Google and Lyxel Labs.
Mumbai: Metro Brands Ltd, an Indian footwear retailer, has announced the appointment of Mohit Dhanjal as chief operating officer (COO), effective on 1 August 2024. Dhanjal brings a wealth of retail experience and a proven track record of leading strategic growth in the industry.
In his new role, Mohit Dhanjal will be driving operational excellence and process improvements to support the company’s growth initiatives. He will have a profound impact on shaping the strategic direction of the company and overseeing day-to-day operations.
“We are thrilled to welcome Mohit Dhanjal to our executive team,” said Metro Brands Ltd CEO Nissan Joseph. “Mohit’s extensive experience in Fashion and Lifestyle Retail, coupled with his visionary approach to cater the new-age customer, makes him a great fit to lead MBL’s operational strategy. We are confident that he will play a key role in accelerating our innovation and enhancing our competitive edge.”
Mohit joins Metro Brands Ltd from Reliance Retail, where he served as chief revenue officer for Tira Beauty & led the group’s foray into multi-brand beauty retailing in the prestige & luxury space in India. With over 30 years of experience in the retail sector, Dhanjal has held various leadership positions at Sephora (Arvind Fashions Ltd), Raymond Ltd, and Hindustan Unilever, where he demonstrated strong abilities to build and scale high-performing teams and deliver cutting-edge solutions.
“I am excited to join Metro Brands Ltd at such a pivotal time in its growth journey,” said Dhanjal. “I look forward to working with the multi-talented team here to help accelerate Metro’s strategic priorities and deliver exceptional value to our customers.”
Mumbai: Bajaj Electricals Ltd has announced the appointment of Vishal Chadha as chief operating officer for the consumer products division. Vishal brings with him more than 28 years of extensive experience across leading organisations such as Britannia, Nokia, Snapdeal, and Kohler, with a strong background in sales, category management, marketing, and general management. An alumnus of IIM-Lucknow, Vishal has distinguished himself with notable achievements at Britannia, Nokia and Snapdeal, demonstrating expertise in driving revenue growth and operational transformation. His tenure at Kohler as managing director- India & South Asia has given him a comprehensive understanding of all business aspects, further underscored his proficiency to enhance profitability and elevate the brand to a top-tier position in the industry through strategic B2B initiatives and expansive retail strategies.
Bajaj Electricals chairman Shekhar Bajaj stated, “I would like to welcome Vishal Chadha as the new chief operating officer for our Consumer Products Business. Vishal’s extensive experience and strategic acumen in driving growth and operational efficiency make him a perfect fit for this role. His leadership will be pivotal in accelerating our growth trajectory and enhancing our market presence. We are confident that Vishal will play a key role in our continued success and innovation.”
Bajaj Electricals MD & CEO Anuj Poddar said, “Vishal Chadha brings a wealth of experience with a proven track record in driving growth coupled with margin expansion. He blends a consumer-centric approach towards the marketplace with a focus on operational excellence to ensure strong execution. I am confident his leadership will be invaluable as we continue to drive the next phase of our strategic journey for the Consumer Products Business. Vishal’s expertise will help deliver exceptional value to all our stakeholders.”
Bajaj Electricals’ chief operating officer of consumer products, Vishal Chadha said, “Joining Bajaj Electricals is a remarkable opportunity, and I am excited to contribute to the company’s journey. The organisation stands out for its legacy of trust and commitment to quality. Its consumer products business comprises a dynamic portfolio of iconic, contemporary, and premium brands spanning a diverse range of product categories that are integral to every Indian household. Given the ongoing strategic transformation and innovation-led approach, the business is well-poised to grow rapidly over the coming years. I look forward to leveraging my background across FMCG, consumer devices, and e-commerce to driving greater marketplace gains and establishing a strong and sustainable consumer-centric business model. Together with the talented team here, we will work towards exceeding consumer and stakeholder expectations.”
Mumbai– Landor has announced the promotion of Lulu Raghavan to the role of President, APAC.
Lulu has been with Landor for 23 years and brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the branding industry. Throughout her tenure, she has held various roles across several geographies (San Francisco, New York, London and Mumbai). She will remain based in Mumbai and report to Christian Schroeder, Global President of Landor.
Raghavan said, “I am honoured to take on the role of President for the APAC region. This is an exciting time for Landor, and I am eager to build on our strong foundation and continue to drive innovation and growth. I look forward to working closely with our talented teams across APAC to deliver exceptional value to our clients.”
Christian Schroeder said, “We are very excited to see Lulu step into the APAC President role. Her extensive experience, dedication, and innovative approach make her the perfect fit to lead the region. I am personally delighted for Lulu, and confident that she will continue to drive growth and excellence across our APAC offices.”
Mumbai: AI-based data intelligence platform Segumento, dedicated to supporting brands in their growth journey, has announced the appointment of two esteemed professionals to its leadership team. Anupama Mishra takes on the role of head of agency sales & partnerships, while Aniket Soman joins as the head of partnerships & alliances. These strategic appointments mark a significant step forward in Segumento’s mission to expand its footprint and enhance its reputation in the industry.
Anupama Mishra brings over 12 years of media experience across print, television, radio, and digital platforms, having held key roles at Times Internet, DNA, TV Today, and Odisha Television. At Segumento, she will focus on strengthening relationships with top advertising agencies. Known for her passion for transparent, mutually beneficial partnerships, Anupama’s approach aligns with Segumento’s values. On her appointment, Anupama said, “I am thrilled to join Segumento and work with a team dedicated to driving value for clients and partners. I look forward to building strong, transparent partnerships with agency leaders to enhance our market presence.”
Aniket Soman, a seasoned professional with over 17 years of experience, has worked with various brands, including Resulticks, Merkle Sokrati, Dun & Bradstreet, Vodafone, and HSBC, in senior roles. At Segumento, he will focus on building robust data partnerships and strategic digital alliances to deliver tangible value to businesses and partners. On his appointment, Aniket said, “I am thrilled to join Segumento and work with a dedicated team committed to driving value for businesses and partners. I look forward to collaborating closely with the leadership team to expand data partnerships and cultivate strategic digital alliances, further enhancing Segumento’s value proposition.”
Commenting on the appointments, Segumento CEO Himanshu Pandey said, “Our vision is to position Segumento at the forefront of data intelligence and strategic partnerships. Anupama and Aniket are excellent additions to our team, perfectly aligning with our ambition to strengthen agency relationships, broaden our strategic reach, and expand our database and service offerings in India and Indonesia. Their expertise will be instrumental in advancing our growth and achieving new milestones.”
With a rapidly expanding customer base in India and Indonesia, Segumento is poised to optimise its services and elevate its offerings through strategic leadership and innovation.
Mumbai: Bacardi India Pvt Ltd, the privately held spirits company has appointed Monojit Mukherjee as director of external affairs for India and Neighbouring Countries. With an illustrious career spanning 25 years, Monojit brings a wealth of experience in navigating regulatory landscapes and fostering strategic partnerships across central and state governments and industry bodies.
In his latest role at Bacardi, Monojit will spearhead Bacardi’s external affairs strategy, leading engagement with local and state governments and central government to create responsible, consumer-centric, government initiatives, while ensuring full compliance and a commitment to always doing the right thing. Monojit is a highly networked leader, with a strong compliance understanding of the regulatory regime at both central and state levels, as well as working with alcohol associations such as ISWAI, SWA, DISCUS, Spirits Europe and more.
His journey at Bacardi follows his impactful tenure as chief corporate affairs officer at United Breweries Ltd (Heineken India), where he drove business continuity and regulatory challenges, enabled price increases across several states and responsible consumption initiatives. He also spearheaded ease-of-doing-business initiatives in coordination with several key central government ministries, the Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade (DPIIT) Invest India & Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). Before this, Monojit Mukherjee served as the General Manager – External Affairs at Pernod Ricard India, where he played a key role in driving the company’s growth while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Previously, he held strategic roles at JSW Steel Ltd and GMR Group, contributing to major infrastructure projects like Delhi and Hyderabad International Airports in the country.
Joining India’s leadership team from the company’s Gurgaon office, Monojit will report directly to Bacardi India & Neighboring Countries managing director Vinay Golikeri who said, “We are pleased to welcome Monojit Mukherjee to the Bacardi leadership team. His extensive experience and understanding of the regulatory landscape will be invaluable to us as we navigate the evolving market dynamics of India and neighbouring countries. We look forward to his leadership in driving our external affairs strategy and fostering a regulatory environment that is beneficial for our consumers, our industry, and our business.”
Speaking about his new role, Monojit Mukherjee said, “I am thrilled to join Bacardi’s accomplished leadership team as we embark on a journey of historic growth. I look forward to collaborating with our talented team and industry stakeholders to drive impactful initiatives that guide us towards continued success in the spirits industry.”
Monojit’s appointment marks a pivotal move, providing a voice for Bacardi India within key industry, government, and regulatory decision-making bodies.
Mumbai: FCB Kinnect has announced the elevation of Kejal Teckchandani from senior vice president to executive vice president of influencer Outreach. The agency has also elevated Mala Sharma to AVP – Influencer Outreach.
Kejal has played a pivotal role in building Kinnect Outreach, now India’s largest and most efficient influencer, celebrity and partnerships desk. Under her guidance, the agency has consistently been ranked as the ‘Influencer Marketing Agency of the Year’ at Campaign Asia and has also bagged three consecutive titles at ET BrandEquity.
Kinnect Outreach is also the only influencer desk in the country to have won global accolades such as Cannes Lions, Clios, One Shows, D&ADs, and more for campaigns like Vigil Aunty (HDFC Bank) and Chatpat (SOSCVI).
During Kejal’s seven years at FCB Kinnect, she has established a data-centric team that transcends traditional influencer buying, marrying data and creativity with a brand-building strategy. She’s also added a dedicated creative team that tackles end-to-end influencer briefs to the existing influencer desk of 50+ at FCB Kinnect.
Together they have worked for the top brands in the country like Amazon, Asian Paints, Google, Intel, Lenovo, ITC Foods, SBI, HDFC Bank, Tata EV, and more. This strong portfolio of work and clients makes Kinnect Outreach the strongest influencer service provider in the country, which has also become the preferred partner of choice for Google and Meta.
What sets Kinnect Outreach apart is its ability to match the right brief with the right creator and ensure the perfect brand fit.
With over 13 years of experience in Finance, Kejal possesses a deep understanding of the critical importance of ROI and value addition for clients. In a highly unorganized market, this has helped her build an influencer business model that delivers cost efficiencies to brands through strong relationships with the influencer community, from top-tier celebrities to localised micro-influencers.
To enhance transparency among clients, she developed KinnectFluence, a proprietary tool and live dashboard that oversees the entire lifecycle of influencer marketing campaigns.
Speaking on the elevation, FCB Kinnect and FCB/SIX India CEO Rohan Mehta said, “With India’s influencer marketing sector projected to reach INR 33.75 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 18 per cent, the impact of influencer marketing is undeniable. For every consumer-facing brand, implementing an influencer strategy is essential. Kejal has done a fantastic job in building and growing Kinnect Outreach, shaping her team to think like a creative agency and execute like a media agency. Under her leadership Kinnect Outreach powers influencer marketing capabilities not only for FCB Kinnect but for the entire Group.”
Influencer executive vice president Kejal Teckchandani added, “Building the leading influencer desk in the country and giving our clients a competitive edge has been incredibly gratifying. Although I come from a background in finance, I found my true calling in advertising, and I couldn’t be happier with this transition. Our goal has always been to harness creativity in influencer marketing to drive economic value for brands. It has been a fantastic journey, and we will continue to invest in data, tools, and people to elevate Kinnect Outreach to even greater heights.”
Mumbai: Admatazz, a Mumbai-based digital agency that uses creative, media, and technology to solve marketing problems, has strengthened its digital strategy team. The agency has appointed Janvi Kothari and Zahadali Tinwala to senior positions along with elevating Yashvi Shah to senior account strategist.
Janvi Kothari comes on board as a senior account strategist holding six years of experience. Before joining Admatazz, Janvi was associated with Schbang, where she was a Senior Solutions strategist. In her current role at Admatazz, she will work with automobile, education, and jewellery brands. Zahadali Tinwala joins bringing in 6 years of digital and marketing experience. He has worked with brands like BGauss Electric, JBCN Education, ICICI Bank, and more.
The agency has promoted Yashvi Shah to Senior Account Strategist. Yashvi who was earlier a Senior Social Media Manager started her career with Admatazz and has been associated since 2022. She has been leading BFSI digital marketing at Admatazz and was the lead on the recent viral TATA AIA wedding campaign. Yashvi is one of the youngest team leads at Admatazz.
Speaking on this, Admatazz founder and chief strategist Yash Chandiramani said, “This step comes in sync with our near future goals as a company. As we work toward building a stronger team to solve larger marketing problems for our clients it is essential for us to strengthen our account strategy team. With these new appointments and elevations, we are all set to create processes and solutions that complement our creative team’s skills.”
Mumbai: As India edges closer to the launch of the first Foot Locker stores, excitement among sneaker heads and sports enthusiast continues to increase. Taking a step further in ensuring unparalleled customer experience, Metro Brands Ltd (who will own and operate Foot Locker stores within India) has announced the appointment of Nandadeep Jayakar as ‘Business Head – Foot Locker India,’ [effective immediate]. Nandadeep has three decades of experience in operations, management, product development, merchandising, and supply chain and brings strategic acumen and a successful track record of brand building and operational execution to the innovative table at Metro Brands Ltd. He will report to Metro Brands Ltd president, sports division, e-commerce and CRM Alisha Malik.
Nandadeep’s arrival at Metro Brands comes at a time when the company, which is one of India’s largest footwear retailers, is set to further amplify its business operations in the fast-growing athletic footwear segment. His addition underscores Metro Brands’ commitment to pushing boundaries of progressive fashion.
Commenting on his appointment, Foot Locker India business head Nandadeep Jayakar said, “With our partnership with Foot Locker, Metro Brands Limited takes an exciting leap in the sneaker and athleisure categories. This expansion not only broadens our horizons but also reflects our unwavering commitment to catering to the evolving needs and preferences of our diverse customer base. It’s a testament to our agility, vision, and dedication to providing unparalleled quality and choice in footwear, empowering individuals to stride with confidence in every aspect of their active lifestyles. I look forward to Foot Locker India’s foray into this dynamic market as we gear up to set new standards in the industry and grow our leadership position in India.”
Metro Brands Ltd president Alisha Rafique Malik said, “As one of the leading footwear retailers in India, we take pride in resonating with the pulse of our customers. We are excited to elevate sneaker culture in the country with Nandadeep’s vast experience guiding us on this journey.”
Nandadeep’s dynamic career path includes his recent tenure at Adidas India, along with significant roles at prominent organizations such as Future Group, Sony Music, Bajaj Auto, and Voltas. His diverse background positions him uniquely to lead Foot Locker India’s business operations, as Metro Brands continues to expand its footprint in the retail sector.
Mumbai: Paytm has elevated Swati Kawatra as assistant vice president of advertising sales. Previously she was serving as the general manager. She announced the news via a LinkedIn post.
Kawatra has worked with Jio and Wipro and was associated with Jio for around nine years. In 2021, she joined Paytm as deputy general manager.