Category: People

  • The Good Glamm Group elevates Shivam Pandey as head of supply chain

    The Good Glamm Group elevates Shivam Pandey as head of supply chain

    Mumbai: South Asia’s leading beauty and personal care conglomerate, Good Glamm Group, is pleased to announce the elevation of Shivam Pandey as head of supply chain. In his new role, Shivam will spearhead the development of a customer-centric supply chain strategy aimed at delivering enhanced value to consumers while driving sustainable growth for the organization.

    With over 12 years of experience in the FMCG and e-commerce industries, Shivam brings a wealth of expertise to his new role. Having excelled in various supply chain capacities, Shivam has consistently demonstrated his ability to optimize resources, drive operational efficiency, and foster team synergies.

    During his 1.5 year span at the Good Glamm Group, Shivam has made significant contributions as the head of warehouse and procurement, implementing cost-saving measures and streamlining processes to achieve tangible results. His track record in directing automation initiatives across critical areas such as storage, distribution, and payment realization underscores his commitment to innovation and operational excellence.

    “The growth opportunities for me at the Good Glamm Group have been tremendous and I am honored and excited to take on the role of head of supply Chain. I look forward to leveraging my experience and collaborating with our talented teams to further enhance our supply chain capabilities, delivering superior value to our customers and driving sustainable growth for the organization,” said Good Glamm Group head of supply chain Shivam Pandey.

    Good Glamm Group, group chief people officer and SVP of founder initiatives Kartik Rao added, “At Good Glamm Group, we believe in the potential of our employees and their ability to drive the company’s success. Shivam has been an invaluable asset to our organization and we believe that under his leadership, our supply chain will further strengthen our supply chain operations and contribute to the overall growth and success of the organization.”

    Good Glamm Group is excited about the future and the positive impact Shivam Pandey’s appointment will have on the company’s supply chain operations and overall business growth.

  • Ipsos hires Rajashree Ivaturi as Ipsos Strategy3 partner

    Ipsos hires Rajashree Ivaturi as Ipsos Strategy3 partner

    Mumbai: Eyeing increased opportunities and demand for research-based consulting from clients, Ipsos, a global market research player, has roped in Rajashree Ivaturi, as partner, Ipsos Strategy3 in India. Ipsos Strategy3 is the management consulting arm of Ipsos.

    Ivaturi moves from Quess Corp and has previously worked for over two decades with feedback consulting. Her work experience has spanned research-based consulting at feedback consulting to scaling vocational training programs in social enterprise at Quess Corp.  She reports to Ipsos India CEO Amit Adarkar.

    “Being a leading custom market research company, Ipsos has provided strategic counsel and competent advisory services to our roster of clients via Ipsos Strategy3; and with the increasing demand in a highly growth-oriented market like India, we have expanded the team at the top level with the hiring of Rajashree Ivaturi, whose experience straddling private and government clients will be a great asset to Ipsos Strategy3. Her remit is to leverage opportunities with the government across different ministries, government bodies, trade associations, apart from handling a wide roster of clients across consumer-packaged goods, healthcare, automotive, education etc. We are seeing a lot of clients demanding research-based consulting and Ivaturi brings with her a lot of rich experience that will upscale our client delivery, even for uncharted sectors,” said Ipsos India CEO Amit Adarkar.

    She holds a PGDBM degree from IIPM and an AI ML Program for Leaders diploma from The University of Texas, Austin. And has been on the advisory of several not-for-profit organisations.

  • Meenakshi Samantaray embarks on a new chapter with Metro Brands Ltd

    Meenakshi Samantaray embarks on a new chapter with Metro Brands Ltd

    Mumbai: After a successful stint spanning half a decade at ZEE Entertainment, Meenakshi Samantaray as B2B Head of Marketing, a seasoned marketing professional has made a strategic career leap by joining Metro Brands as the head of marketing for the Sports Division The move is a strategic decision aligned with her passion for lifestyle and retail and to leverage her expertise into a fresh venture. She brings a solid marketing background of 13 years from her time at HUL and Future Group, showcasing a strong dedication to innovation and excellence in her new role.

    With a diverse background in live entertainment and sports marketing, she aims to bring her expertise, talent, and wealth of knowledge to propel marketing initiatives at one of India’s leading footwear retail giants.  The new position will allow her to pursue her core interests and utilise her expertise in the field. Meenakshi’s appointment marks a new chapter for Metro Brands as they enter the exciting world of sports marketing, reaffirming their position as a pioneering force in the retail industry.

    Samantaray’s move to Metro Brands Ltd showcases her determination to forge new paths for growth and success in a changing business world. As she embarks on this new journey, all eyes are on Meenakshi to steer Metro Brands to unprecedented heights of excellence in the realm of sports marketing.

  • Havas Creative Network India’s key leaders elevated

    Havas Creative Network India’s key leaders elevated

    Mumbai: Havas India, part of Paris-headquartered global communications network Havas, has announced a significant leadership transition across three key agencies under the Havas Creative Network India umbrella, including Havas Worldwide India (creative), Conran Design Mumbai (brand design), and Havas CX India (customer experience).

    1  Havas Worldwide India managing partner Kundan Joshee has been promoted as managing director of the India operations.

    2  Havas Worldwide India CCO Anupama Ramaswamy, will also mantle the additional responsibility of joint managing director along with the CCO profile.

    3  Conran Design Mumbai managing partner Geet Nazir, has been elevated to managing director of the agency.

    Havas CX India managing partner Prashant Tekwani has been elevated to managing director of both Havas CX India and Ekino (technology) India.

    Strengthening the creative network in India:

    Havas Creative Network India, which now consists of eight agencies, has been growing steadily, driven by global expertise, acquisitions, new business wins, a strong talent pool, and numerous award wins. Havas Worldwide India, Conran Design Mumbai and Havas CX India have played a critical role in positioning the overall Havas Creative Network India as one the most future-ready networks in the country.  

    In addition, the Creative Network includes Think Design (UI/UX) led by Deepali Saini, CEO, Shobiz (experiential) led by Sameer Tobaccowala, CEO, PR Pundit Havas Red (public relations) led by Archana Jain, CEO, Havas People (employer branding) led by Arindam Sengupta as Managing Director, and Prose on Pixels (production) led by Makarand Nirmal, Vice President – Operations.

    While Kundan, Geet and Prashant will be based out of Mumbai, Anupama will continue to be based out of Gurgaon. All four along with Sameer, Archana, Deepali and Arindam will continue to report to Havas India, South East Asia & North Asia (Japan & South Korea) Group CEO Rana Barua.

    Over the last one year, Havas Worldwide India witnessed a flux due to some leadership exits but even during this period of transition, both Anupama and Kundan played a pivotal role in further consolidating the agency and strengthening its relationships with key clients like Reckitt, Stellantis, MamaEarth, Suzuki, William Grant, UTI Mutual Fund and Harman, amongst others. Anupama has been instrumental in not just creating some of the most talked-about campaigns of the last two years for clients including Harpic, Veet, Mortein, Mamaearth, IQOO, Vivo, Karnataka Bank, UTI Mutual Funds, Vanish and many more but also in consolidating and building a strong creative team. Meanwhile, Kundan has helped in fortifying and stabilising client relationships, winning several new businesses like Karnataka Bank, Indie (IndusInd Bank), IQOO and RealMe, to name a few, and streamlining processes that have strengthened the overall business, attracted talent, and increased client satisfaction scores.

    Conran Design Mumbai was launched in 2021 under the leadership of Geet Nazir, who has led the agency to become one of the most prominent brand and design consultancies in India. Over the past three years, the agency has built a roster of marquee clients including Zydus Lifesciences, PayU, Coca-Cola India, Nestle, Usha Martin, to name a few. Within three years of its existence, Conran has won prestigious local and global awards including a Gold at Transform Asia, Silver in the South Asia Brand Design Agency of the Year category at Campaign’s Agency Of The Year Awards 2023 amongst many more. Recently, Havas launched Conran Design Group network, a new global offering dedicated to brand and design, based on the long-standing expertise and talent at Conran Design Group, and W, Havas’ leading creative branding agency in France. Geet’s elevation comes at this critical juncture and will play a central role in scaling up the agency further.

    Prashant has been instrumental in building and leading Havas CX in India since 2020. Over the years, he has steadily built and consolidated the agency through a strong CX team along with Ekino, and some of the biggest clients including Bandhan Life (erstwhile Aegon Life), Bosch Mobility Services, Tata Steel, STT Telecommunications, Air Asia, to name a few. Over the years, the X-Index proprietary study by Havas CX has also made the agency a strong voice in the industry. Going forward, with Prashant at the helm, Havas CX India is going to play a more critical role in the region and scale up its India operations by ramping up talent and expertise like CRM, technology, loyalty, etc.  

    The journey ahead:

    This transition marks an exciting phase for Havas India as it continues to innovate, lead, and deliver exceptional results for its clients.

    In discussing the recent elevations, Rana Barua emphasised the strategic trajectory of the organisation, stating, “Over the past few years, our focus has been on enhancing our expertise and solidifying our position as the most progressive communications network in India. While our Media Network, under the leadership of Mohit Joshi, Uday Mohan, R Venkat, and Shibu Shivanandan, has thrived, Havas Creative Network India has grown exponentially both organically and inorganically and has built the creative repertoire of Havas India.”

    “Kundan, Anupama, Geet, and Prashant have been instrumental in scaling up the operations of their respective agencies, demonstrating resilience and genuine leadership qualities,” Rana continued. “As we transition towards a new phase of growth, I am confident that these four leaders will play an even greater role in driving our growth, both within India and on a global scale. Their dedication and leadership is paving the way for our future success. I wish them all the best.”

  • The Chatterjee Group appoints Kashyap Mehta as CPO, Prashant Gagneja as CGRO for Ziki and Sirrus.ai

    The Chatterjee Group appoints Kashyap Mehta as CPO, Prashant Gagneja as CGRO for Ziki and Sirrus.ai

    Mumbai: First Livingspaces Pvt Ltd (FLS), an enterprise of The Chatterjee Group (TCG), has onboarded Kashyap Mehta and Prashant Gagneja as key leaders of its new technology ventures — Ziki and Sirrus.ai.

    FLS has positioned its new businesses in two core domains. Ziki focuses on crafting technology-enabled communities, both online and offline. Sirrus.ai is an experience ecosystem with AI-first principles, catering to the real estate industry.

    Mehta, an e-commerce specialist with over 25 years of expertise in multiple industries, has joined FLS as the chief product officer (CPO), while Gagneja, a seasoned strategist in consumer packaged goods (CPG) and Fintech industries, has assumed the role of the chief growth & revenue officer (CGRO).

    Welcoming the two leaders, FLS spokesperson Sovon Manna said, “We are delighted to have the two visionary achievers joining us. Their experience, exuberance and unique approaches will be instrumental in propelling our businesses towards greater heights of success.”

    Fondly known as ‘Kash’ in industry circles, Mehta had previously served as the chief digital Officer (CDO) at Croma. ‘Kash’ has also been a key contributor to several technology initiatives, having led SAP’s ecommerce vertical across APAC. He played a pivotal role in India’s consumer internet story, leaving his mark at Tata CLiQ, Baazi, and eBay.

    Speaking about his new role, Mehta said, “I am thrilled to embark on this unique zero-to-hundred journey. Building a successful tech-enhanced business ecosystem from ground up, without any pre-existing template, is what drives me to embrace this adventure.”

    Gagneja brings to the table his 16 years of extensive experience in driving operational success and optimising revenue streams through technology adoption. In his previous role as the vice president of organised trade at BharatPe, he had played a pivotal role in fostering key account relationships. His go-to-market strategy has been instrumental in advancing revenue strategies at several CPG and FMCG giants, including Pepsico, Kellogg, Coca-Cola, and Pernod Ricard.

    Excited about his new responsibility at FLS, Gagneja said, “Drawing from my experiences thus far, I aim to champion operational efficiencies and revenue growth through strategic technology adoption.”

  • Array Networks announces the new country manager for India

    Array Networks announces the new country manager for India

    Mumbai: Array Networks, a globally renowned leader in application delivery and security products, announced the appointment of Hrishikesh Jadhav as the new country manager for India.

    Hrishikesh Jadhav has been a cornerstone of Array India’s success, with an impressive 14-year tenure marked by unwavering dedication, outstanding performance, and steadfast commitment. Throughout his journey within Array, he has excelled in pivotal roles, including regional sales director – in West & South India, and regional sales manager, leaving an indelible mark on our organization’s growth trajectory.

    In his new role, Hrishikesh will spearhead Array India’s initiatives aimed at implementing new sales strategies and techniques, enhancing customer engagement, faster acquisitions and expanding market presence across the country. Hrishikesh will report directly to Shibu Paul, vice president of International Sales at Array.

    Shibu Paul, VP – International Sales, expressed his confidence in Hrishikesh’s capabilities, stating, “Hrishikesh’s appointment as a country manager marks an exciting new chapter for Array Networks India. His proven strategic foresight and exemplary leadership skills are poised to fortify our position in the Indian market and drive sustained revenue growth. We have confidence in Hrishikesh’s dedication, expertise in the domain and exceptional performance, and we anticipate that his leadership will not only propel him to new heights but also make substantial contributions to our team and the overall success of the company.”

    Speaking on his promotion Hrishikesh Jadhav commented, “I am deeply honoured and excited to step into the role of Country Manager for Array Networks India. This promotion represents not only a personal milestone but also a significant opportunity to lead Array’s endeavours in fostering customer engagement and expanding our footprint in the Indian market.”

    He further added, “Cybersecurity landscape in India offers a wealth of opportunities. I am committed to leveraging advanced application security solutions to address the evolving cybersecurity landscape and to deliver exceptional value to our customers and partners. I look forward to working closely with the talented team at Array Networks as we embark on this exciting journey together.”  

  • Pallavi Mohan joins BLS International as corp comm head (global)

    Pallavi Mohan joins BLS International as corp comm head (global)

    Mumbai: Pallavi Mohan a seasoned communications professional has joined BLS International, a globally renowned tech-enabled services provider as the corporate communications head (global), heralding a new era of strategic communication for the organisation. Pallavi will be now driving the overall communications for the company for India and international markets.

    Pallavi Mohan on her LinkedIn shared “I am delighted to share that I have assumed the position of Corporate Communications Head (Global) at BLS International. This transition marks a pivotal moment as I venture into a new sector, brimming with distinctive opportunities and challenges to explore, alongside the expansive scope of the business. I am eagerly looking forward to this exciting journey ahead”

    Pallavi Mohan is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of international experience in marketing and communications (MARCOM). Holding an MBA in Marketing & IT from India and an MS in Digital Marketing from New York, USA, Pallavi’s academic prowess is matched only by her extensive practical knowledge. Her illustrious career includes teaching engagements at the prestigious Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC).

    With a comprehensive background encompassing social digital marketing, international events, business operations, corporate communication, public relations, and corporate social responsibility, Pallavi brings a wealth of experience in digital marketing, PR, and corporate communications. Pallavi’s journey through esteemed organizations such as Samsung Electronics, DLF Limited, Café Coffee Day, and Target (New York, USA), among others, has been marked by numerous accolades and milestones. Having worked across five countries, her global exposure enriches her understanding of diverse market dynamics.

    With over 17 years of experience, BLS International has established itself as a reliable partner for governments and citizens worldwide. They have been offering a wide range of services to facilitate seamless and secure travel, visa, passport, and consular services for millions of people every year. They are operational in over 60 countries with 200 plus offices worldwide.

    BLS is working towards strengthening its offerings and expanding its presence in new markets through new acquisitions. With the increase in travel and the adoption of digital solutions, there has been a surge in demand for travel-related technology services. As more people are traveling internationally, the need for visa services has increased. The company now has an extensive network of more than 27,000 centres globally with a robust strength of over 20,000 employees and associates that provides consular, biometric, and citizen services. BLS has processed over 62 million applications to date globally.

  • Puneet Gupta joins INOX Group as head of communications

    Puneet Gupta joins INOX Group as head of communications

    Mumbai: INOX Group has appointed Puneet Gupta as head of communications for INOX Air Products (INOXAP) and INOX India Ltd (INOXCVA). His appointment reflects INOX Group’s commitment to excellence and innovation as it continues to make strides in the industrial gases, cryogenic solutions, green energy space and future innovations.

    With over 21 years of intrapreneurial experience in corporate communications, public relations, branding, CSR, and internal communications, Puneet brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new role. His innovative approach, coupled with a keen eye for detail and unwavering passion for excellence, makes him an invaluable addition to the INOX team.

    Puneet is well known for his versatility, exceptional creativity, and ability to communicate complex subjects through integrated communications strategies. His solid foundation in PR fundamentals, combined with impeccable execution skills, allows him to deliver strategic consultancy that yields tangible business outcomes.

    As head of communications, for INOX Group, Puneet will oversee brand communication, media engagement, reputation management, senior stakeholder management, strategic messaging, employee communications, and CSR initiatives for INOXAP and INOXCVA.

    In his previous role, Puneet served at Inox Leisure Ltd and PVR Ltd, where he made significant contributions over the past five years. His departure from PVRINOX is marked by gratitude towards his colleagues and leaders for their support and mentorship.

    Expressing his excitement about his new role, Puneet stated, “I am thrilled to join INOX Group and lead the communications efforts for INOX Air Products and INOX India Ltd. I look forward to leveraging my expertise to drive purpose-driven brand growth and share compelling stories about our fascinating products and solutions.”

    INOXAP is India’s largest industrial gases manufacturing company, while INOXCVA is among the world’s leading cryogenic solutions companies. Puneet aims to contribute to India’s #GreenEconomy transition by highlighting the companies’ pivotal role in the manufacturing and clean energy sectors.

  • AndAnd Brand Partners expand their strategic leadership team

    AndAnd Brand Partners expand their strategic leadership team

    Mumbai: AndAnd Brand Partners (&&), a pioneering force in the advertising industry known for its innovative approach to client briefs, has announced a significant expansion of its senior leadership team. This strategic enhancement aims to bolster the agency’s capabilities and foster a new era of growth and creativity in response to the evolving market landscape.

    The agency, which has consistently adapted to the shifting dynamics of the advertising world, has now strengthened its leadership ranks with the addition of esteemed creative director, Abhi Sengupta. Sengupta, formerly at BBH, brings over 15 years of profound experience in understanding consumer behaviour and managing high-profile accounts like Pepsi, Pizza Hut, Max Life Insurance, Dettol, MMT, Fanta, Greenply and etc. His expertise is set to drive &&’s creative vision forward.

    Joining him on the creative front are Shyamakanta Pradhan and Nandini Pathania, both of whom have demonstrated exceptional talent and commitment to the agency’s creative endeavours. Pradhan, a veteran at &&, has an impressive track record with brands like Gionee and Future Group, while Pathania, who joined in 2021, has previously enriched her portfolio with significant stints at Mullen Lowe and Dentsu, working with key clients like Honda and Canon.

    On the client relationship side, && continues to rely on the robust partnership of Pinaki Sarkar and Diganta Sinha. Sarkar, with a vast background spanning over 17 years across various industries, and Sinha, known for his dynamic presence in the agency, together form a formidable team driving the agency’s business strategy and client relations.

    “We are extremely excited to welcome Abhi Sengupta as the creative director at AndAnd. The new world needs new ideas and the evolving landscape of advertising and marketing favours innovative minds. With our senior leadership in place, we are hopeful of delivering strategic solutions to the complex brand problems” said AndAnd Brand Partners, partner Rajesh Minocha. “This strategic move is set to not only enhance our service offerings but also solidify our position as a leader in the creative industry.”

    AndAnd remains committed to its roots in classical creativity while embracing the digital evolution that characterizes today’s advertising landscape. The agency is poised for its next phase of growth, focusing on delivering cutting-edge solutions that meet the complex demands of its clients and the market at large.

  • Special Olympics Bharat appoints V.K. Mahendru as executive director

    Special Olympics Bharat appoints V.K. Mahendru as executive director

    Mumbai: Special Olympics Bharat, is honoured to announce the appointment of V.K. Mahendru as executive director.

    In his new role, Mahendru will oversee all aspects of the organisation and management, while also serving as a mentor. With a B. Tech in Civil Engineering from PEC Chandigarh & subsequently acquiring a Diploma in Management, Mr. Mahendru began his career in ONGC as a civil engineer & held key positions such as head, corporate sports, head of vigilance department, chief corporate and parliamentary affairs & finally as executive director, headed the regional office of Mumbai which is most prominent & profitable work centre of ONGC. His strong administrative capabilities, communication skills, team building, and strict adherence to ethics and honesty, positions him considerably well in taking Special Olympics Bharat on the path of sustained quality growth

    Reflecting on his recent appointment, V.K. Mahendru expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “I am delighted to be appointed as the Executive Director of Special Olympics Bharat, an organisation extremely close to my heart. I am closely attached to sports and also to our Special Olympics athletes. I look forward to putting in my efforts, work, and efficiency that would lead towards the betterment and development of our organisation and our precious athletes.”

    Mahendru comes with a background of considerable prowess in Table Tennis and Badminton during college education, carrying a strong passion for the development of sports. In his capacity as head, corporate sports division at ONGC between 2009 and 2014, he managed 22 disciplines, recruiting and grooming sportspersons to achieve world-level accolades. He has managed 400 National and international sportspersons including some prominent names such as Virender Sehwag, Virat Kohli, Ishant Sharma, Gautam Gambhir, Pankaj Advani (Billiards & Snooker) and Ashwini Ponnappa (Badminton) to name a few, with 30 sportspersons having won national awards. He has many awards and recognition to his name.

    Commenting on this significant appointment, Special Olympics Bharat president Dr Mallika Nadda said, “V.K. Mahendru brings a great deal of experience and knowledge to our team. I am fully confident that his expertise, along with his capabilities and skills will further elevate the working of our organisation and the well-being of our athletes. We extend a warm welcome to him and greatly look forward to his upcoming contributions to Special Olympics Bharat.”