Category: People

  • Peter Barry rejoins PubMatic in Sydney as VP

    Peter Barry rejoins PubMatic in Sydney as VP

    Mumbai: Barry’s appointment sees him return to PubMatic’s Australia office, following a move to New York in 2021 as PubMatic’s Global VP Addressability and Commerce, where he spent two years.

    Now, he will be responsible for rolling out PubMatic’s commerce media the solution, Convert <https:// pubmatic.com/convert/>, across the APAC region.

    Convert provides retailers, brands and advertisers with a unified audience monetisation and acquisition platform to maximise the reach and revenue of commerce media, one of the fastest-growing media channels. In addition to this, Barry, will be responsible for working with publishers, advertisers, identity vendors and industry bodies to ensure PubMatic’s customers are maximising addressable opportunities across their businesses as signals shift and regulations change.

    During Barry’s time in the U.S., he led multiple cross-functional teams, helping PubMatic’s partners execute against addressability strategies to drive monetisation today, as well as future proof of their business. He helped launch the Convert platform in 2023, opening up a new set of opportunities for PubMatic and its customers. Prior to that, Barry was PubMatic’s regional director, Australia and New Zealand, leading the rollout of the company’s Addressability Suite across the region and working with data and APAC identity partners.

    Peter Barry, VP, Addressability and Commerce Media, APAC at PubMatic commented: “I am excited to work with PubMatic’s APAC team again to drive the addressability and commerce media businesses across the region. I’ve learnt a lot from my time in the US, and now I’m looking forward to ensuring PubMatic’s customers make the most of both the onsite and offsite opportunities through our Convert product.”

    PubMatic chief revenue officer, APAC Jason Barnes added: “We’re delighted to see Peter return to APAC following his time in New York. His wealth of experience is invaluable and I look forward to seeing how his expertise impacts our ever-expanding commerce media offering in the region.”

    Based in Sydney, Barry will report directly to Jason Barnes, chief of revenue officer, APAC.

  • Amita Maheshwari bids adieu to Kedaara Capital

    Amita Maheshwari bids adieu to Kedaara Capital

    Mumbai: Kedaara Capital MD & operating director Amita Maheshwari has decided to depart from the firm to embark on a new phase of her life. She plans to dedicate her time to giving back to society and the industry, utilizing her expertise in fostering talent, shaping culture and driving digitization in high-growth enterprise and building a social impact agenda.

    Prior to her role at Kedaara, Amita worked as President and Head of HR for Star India and later as the Head of HR for The Walt Disney Company and Star TV, including Disney Hotstar for Asia-Pacific, Middle East and India for 14 yrs. She spearheaded HR operations across 27 markets in Asia, including India, China, Japan, Korea, and the rest of the region.

    She played a pivotal role in facilitating the integration and transition of Fox and Disney across the Asia-Pacific, India and the Middle East as well as launching Disney+ and Disney+Hotstar in 11 APAC markets. Furthermore, she played a key role in the successful launch of the OTT platform Hotstar in India under the leadership of Uday Shankar. Over her 30-year career, she has held positions at Asian Paints, GE, Genpact, and MetLife Insurance, lending her expertise to diverse industries.

  • Adani Wilmar appoints Jignesh Shah as the head  of media and digital marketing

    Adani Wilmar appoints Jignesh Shah as the head of media and digital marketing

    Mumbai: Adani Wilmar, one of the largest Food and FMCG companies in India, has announced the appointment of Jignesh Shah as its new head of media and digital marketing. With a career spanning over 20 years, including a decade-long tenure at Adani Wilmar, Shah brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role.

    As the newly appointed head of media and digital marketing, his responsibilities will encompass strategic promotion at the overall level, including Oil & Food portfolios of the company’s flagship brand, “Fortune” as well as other popular brands. Furthermore, Shah will uphold his existing responsibilities as business head of Foods Consumer Pack, overseeing categories such as Soya Nuggets, Sugar, Pulses, and Poha with unwavering commitment and excellence.

    In his capacity as a brand custodian for Fortune, Shah will ensure its relevance and resonance in the dynamic FMCG landscape, leveraging his extensive marketing prowess and strategic insight.

    A graduate with an MBA in marketing, Shah embarked on his marketing journey with Vadilal, where he served as a Product & Brand Manager. He further honed his skills at Alembic Glass Industries Ltd. and Wagh Bakri, showcasing his prowess in brand management and strategic marketing.

    In 2014, Shah joined Adani Wilmar as an associate manager, marking the beginning of a remarkable journey within the organization. Over the years, he played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s food portfolio, particularly under the flagship brand Fortune. His strategic acumen and innovative marketing initiatives were instrumental in the successful launch and growth of various product categories, including soya nuggets, besan, sugar, poha, pulses, sattu and the introduction of rawa, suji and maida.

    The new role for Shah commences at a strategically opportune moment for Adani Wilmar, aligning with the company’s ambitions to broaden its reach and solidify its standing in the FMCG sector. With a proven track record and visionary leadership, the new head of media and digital marketing is poised to lead the company’s marketing vision to new heights of success.

  • Mystifly appoints senior leadership team for next phase of growth

    Mystifly appoints senior leadership team for next phase of growth

    Mumbai:  Mystifly, a travel technology provider for airlines and travel sellers, today announced the appointment of several highly experienced and capable executives to its senior leadership team. With this strategic move, Mystifly aims to accelerate organizational growth, reshape the air travel technology landscape, and solidify its global presence.

    The new appointees are:

    1.    Dennis van Noord as chief business officer: With over two decades of sales, business development, and strategic partnerships expertise in online travel, Dennis van Noord will lead the commercial strategy at Mystifly. In this role, he will drive revenue growth and implement pricing strategies across various product lines, maximizing profitability while ensuring Mystifly’s continued success in a rapidly evolving industry.

    2.    Susan Carter as chief marketing officer: Susan Carter, who has over 20 years of strategic storytelling and leadership experience in global B2B technology companies, will develop and implement marketing strategies for the company. As CMO, she will enhance market presence, corporate and product brand, go-to-market strategy, and product success within the global airline industry.

    Speaking of the appointment, Mystifly founder, CEO & MD Rajeev Kumar stated, “The appointment of the new leaders marks a pivotal step in our journey of driving global growth and innovation in the evolving air travel landscape. As we expand our horizons, especially with the recent launch of our flagship offering, the Smart Selling Platform (SSP), their wealth of experience will be instrumental. SSP represents a significant stride toward the future, addressing the complexities of multi-source airline content in today’s hybrid world. These leaders join us at a pivotal moment, supporting our vision to seamlessly integrate diverse content sources, enhance customer experiences, and establish Mystifly as a trailblazer in the industry. This strategic move reflects our dedication to providing scalable solutions for the air travel ecosystem worldwide.”

    The new appointees (contd.)

    3.    Jeremy Jameson as vice president-Americas: With two decades of expertise in orchestrating new revenue streams, Jeremy Jameson is set to lead Mystifly’s client adoption, customer success, and business operations throughout the Americas. His vast experience in travel industry technology, including PSSs, GDSs, and new distribution channels, will contribute to Mystifly’s regional expansion.

    4.    Gaebler Lars as head-product: A dynamic executive in airline IT and commercial airline environments, Lars possesses extensive experience in ticket distribution, product design, and business strategy. His role at Mystifly will involve spearheading the change in ticket distribution in the airline ecosystem, focusing on product design, business objectives, and continuous change management.

    5.    Eugene Kalatsidis as head-airline connectivity & payments: Eugene is a results-driven professional with extensive global experience in the travel tech industry. His expertise in developing and adjusting global operations strategy, stakeholder management, and project and operations management positions him to lead Mystifly’s airline connectivity and payments efforts.

    The above individuals join previously appointed leaders Farooq Ahammed M, head-people & culture; and Jibby Kollanoor, head-marketplace supply.

    As Mystifly embarks on this transformative chapter with its strengthened leadership team, the organisation reaffirms its commitment to pioneering innovation in the dynamic landscape of air travel technology. The strategic appointments of the leaders signify a strategic shift towards a future where Mystifly will innovate, create, and drive enduring value for its global partners. 

  • MSL India appoints Pallavi Bahuguna as North lead

    MSL India appoints Pallavi Bahuguna as North lead

    Mumbai: MSL, Publicis Groupe’s strategic communications and engagement firm, today announced the appointment of Pallavi Bahuguna as senior vice president and head of MSL’s North operations. Her appointment underscores the firm’s commitment to enhancing its footprint in the region.

    Pallavi is responsible for further strengthening MSL’s operations in the North region, and providing strategic counsel to MSL’s clients in the technology and allied sectors at a national level. She will be a part of MSL’s National Leadership Team.

    Pallavi is a seasoned communications professional with deep experience on both sides of the table, having spent two decades with marquee organizations and agencies. In her roles spanning diverse industries and geographies, she has deployed multi-channel communication and reputation management programs, strategic alliances, CSR initiatives and DE&I charters.

    In her most recent role, she was director, Corporate Affairs and Communications at American Express, leading country level communication programs for consumers, colleagues and communities. Prior to that, she was associated with Coforgez (known as Coforge now) as the Global Communications Lead. In these roles, she led internal and external communication programs across all multiple stakeholder touchpoints. During her stints at Text100 (known as Archetype now), Integral PR and Weber Shandwick, she provided communication counsel to many leading brands in consumer lifestyle, technology, telecom and travel sectors.

    MSL India South Asia CEO Amit Misra said, “We are thrilled to have Pallavi onboard. With her outstanding credentials and multifaceted communication expertise, I am confident of her leadership skills. We understand our clients’ growing need for omni- and multi-channel communication and reputation management services, as well our internal need to consistently nurture the next line of leaders, and this strategic appointment will bridge both needs.”

    Commenting on her appointment, Bahuguna said, “MSL has built a market leading reputation as a great place to work and it is my privilege to join the team to further strengthen its existing portfolio and create new growth opportunities. I am looking forward to partnering with my colleagues and leveraging my strategic communications experience to nurture our talent and provide client delight.”

  • Visa appoints Shruti Gupta as VP and head of commercial & money movement solutions (CMS), India and South Asia

    Visa appoints Shruti Gupta as VP and head of commercial & money movement solutions (CMS), India and South Asia

    Mumbai: Visa (NYSE: V), the global leader in digital payments, today announced the appointment of Shruti Gupta as vice president and head of commercial & Money Movement Solutions (CMS), for India and South Asia. In her role, Shruti will head Visa’s business and corporate solutions including Commercial Solutions, Integrated Money Movement and Visa Government Solutions. Her responsibilities include developing and implementing a multi-year growth strategy in collaboration with the leadership team in India and South Asia.

    Shruti brings to Visa over two decades of experience at Citi spanning commercial, risk management and strategy with MNCs, local corporates and the startup ecosystem. She began her professional journey in 2000 with Citi India, and in 23 years, assumed various roles across lending and non-lending segments, business development and relationship management. Her most recent role was managing director for the multinational segment of Citi Commercial Banking.

    “I am delighted to welcome Shruti Gupta to the Visa family. With rich and deep experience in the banking and finance domain, particularly in commercial solutions and strategy, Shruti adds a wealth of knowledge to our team. We are pleased to have her expertise reinforce our efforts in shaping the future of money movement in the market”, said Sandeep Ghosh, Group Country Manager, Visa India and South Asia.

    “Visa has consistently led innovations in the payment ecosystem and I am eager to contribute to its continued positive evolution. I believe that a strategic approach is pivotal to business development with commercial clients and look forward to applying this philosophy for sustained success on this journey with Visa”, said Commercial & Money Movement Solutions (CMS) for Visa in India and South Asia Visa’s newly appointed vice president and head Shruti Gupta.

    Shruti has a master’s degree in business administration from the FORE School of Management and a bachelor’s degree in science from Delhi University. She enjoys spending time with family and friends and spends her leisure time hiking, horse riding and watching movies.

  • Subhash Kamath joins BrandMusiq board of directors

    Subhash Kamath joins BrandMusiq board of directors

    Mumbai: BrandMusiq, the pioneering audio and sonic branding agency in India known for its innovative approach to creating signature sounds for brands, is pleased to announce the appointment of Subhash Kamath to its board of directors consisting of Rajesh Patel, Hari Marar and Safir Anand. With nearly 40 years of experience in the advertising industry and a profound passion for music, Subhash Kamath brings a wealth of strategic insight and creative vision to his new role at BrandMusiq.

    Besides being on the Board, Subhash will work closely with founder, Rajeev Raja and co-founder, Ajit Varma to help build and market the BrandMusiq brand across geographies, as well as contribute to the Creativity and Innovation initiatives being set in place to propel BrandMusiq into becoming a leader in the digital environment.

    In a rich career spanning 36 years across top agencies like Ogilvy, Trikaya Grey, Bates, Publicis and BBH, Subhash held top leadership positions as well as that of being a CEO for 17 years. Subhash has been instrumental in leading strategic initiatives and driving growth for both Indian and multinational clients. His track record of success includes spearheading mergers and acquisitions for WPP and founding organizations like BBH in India, solidifying his reputation as a visionary leader in the industry. Subhash is currently working as an independent brand consultant and a mentor.  

    Beyond his illustrious advertising career, Subhash Kamath is also an accomplished musician, having served as the lead singer and guitarist of the band ‘Wanted Yesterday’ alongside Rajeev Raja, founder of Brand Musiq.

    Commenting on Subhash Kamath’s appointment, BrandMusiq founder  Rajeev Raja expresses his enthusiasm. “Subhash’s extensive experience and deep understanding of the advertising landscape make him an invaluable asset to BrandMusiq. His passion for music and proven track record of strategic leadership align perfectly with our vision of redefining the auditory landscape of branding. I have long admired Subhash’s work and am thrilled to welcome him to the BrandMusiq family.”

    Subhash Kamath, in his statement, said, “I’m a fan of brands. And nothing excites me more than helping take brands into the future. In this fast-paced digital world of consumers, sonic branding is becoming an imperative for brands seeking to create stronger emotional connections. And BrandMusiq has been doing some cutting edge work in this space. Given my love for both brands and music, I’m just delighted to be part of this amazingly talented team.”

    Rajeev Raja and Subhash Kamath share a mutual appreciation for each other’s work, having known and admired each other’s contributions to the advertising and music industry over the years. Their shared vision and commitment to excellence make them a formidable team poised to lead BrandMusiq into its next phase of growth and innovation.

    As the first and leading audio and sonic branding agency in India, BrandMusiq remains committed to pushing boundaries and setting new standards in the field of sonic branding. With Subhash Kamath on board, BrandMusiq is well-positioned to continue its mission of creating impactful sonic identities that resonate with audiences worldwide.

  • Two99 welcomes Vishnu Kanth Gokul as chief growth officer

    Two99 welcomes Vishnu Kanth Gokul as chief growth officer

    Mumbai: Two99, a leading force in digital innovation and strategic growth, is excited to announce the appointment of Vishnu Kanth Gokul as the new chief growth officer. Gokul joins the team with an impressive background, having accumulated nearly 30 years of experience in digital and media sales across some of the industry’s most respected platforms and companies.

    Gokul’s career is highlighted by his roles at renowned organizations such as Rediff, Sify, Sulekha, Rajshri.com, 123greetings.com, Percept, Times Internet ( Cricbuzz.com), Qoruz, and Zoo Media Network as a dominant player onboarding top-tier agencies and securing major brands, which led to increased revenue and market share.

    At Two99, Vishnu will play a pivotal role in steering the company towards new heights of innovation and collaboration. His appointment is a testament to Two99’s commitment to excellence, nurturing human relationships, and safeguarding core values and ideas.

    “We are excited to welcome Vishnu to our team. His exceptional track record, deep understanding of the digital landscape, and commitment to growth align perfectly with our vision at Two99. With Vishnu’s leadership, we are poised to revolutionize the digital ecosystem, enhancing user experiences, cultivating dynamic communities, and optimizing distribution efficiency.” Two99 (e-commerce, tech marketing, cyber security) CEO Agam Chaudhary.

  • Genpact propels AI-first strategy with new leadership appointments

    Genpact propels AI-first strategy with new leadership appointments

    Mumbai: Genpact (NYSE: G), a global professional services firm focused on delivering outcomes that transform businesses, has announced two new executive leadership appointments. These appointments demonstrate the company’s continued focus on strengthening its executive team with transformative digital leaders to propel the company into its next chapter of growth, leveraging data, technology, and AI-first principles.  

    Vipin Gairola has been appointed Genpact’s global operating officer and is leading the charge of transforming service delivery for Genpact’s clients by leveraging AI-led solutions. As global operating officer, Gairola oversees Genpact’s global client operations, analytics, data, technology across all countries. He is part of Genpact’s Leadership Council and will lead the company’s operations and cost council. Gairola comes to Genpact from Accenture, where he served in several senior leadership roles over the past two decades. His most recent role was chief strategy officer for accenture operations.

    Vidya Rao, Genpact’s chief information officer, takes on an expanded role of chief technology and transformation officer. In this role, she will be at the forefront of reimagining Genpact’s internal processes, tools, technologies, and infrastructure with an AI-first approach. Furthermore, Rao will also play a crucial role in establishing a world-class data office to fortify Genpact’s data capabilities. This will enable Genpact to harness the power of data and drive insights to guide our AI and Automation initiatives effectively and shape our internal functions for the future.

    “We are excited to have highly talented and transformative individuals in key leadership roles at Genpact. Vidya and Vipin’s appointment emphasizes our ongoing strategy to re-energize our leadership team to drive us into our next chapter of growth,” said Genpact president and CEO BK Kalra. “More and more of our leadership has deep expertise in data, analytics, operations, and AI and their experience will play a pivotal role in how Genpact and our clients will do the work in an AI-driven world.”

  • Kapture CX appoints Gaurav Juneja as chief revenue officer

    Kapture CX appoints Gaurav Juneja as chief revenue officer

    Mumbai: Kapture – a renowned SaaS-based customer experience platform has announced the appointment of Gaurav Juneja as the new chief revenue officer (CRO). As part of the strategic appointment, Gaurav will be responsible for developing and executing global growth strategies for Kapture’s business across Indian and international markets.

    Gaurav has over 15 years of experience in building a revenue sales funnel, and managing and maintaining relationships across organisational functions and the company’s clientele. He is a strong business leader with a proven track record for driving integration between all revenue functions. Gaurav’s strategic focus will be on enhancing Kapture’s market adoption and expanding its footprint, leveraging the platform’s capabilities to deliver unparalleled customer experiences. His appointment underscores Kapture’s commitment to innovation and its ambition to set global benchmarks in customer service.

    Commenting on the appointment decision, Kapture CEO and co-founder Sheshgiri Kamth said, “Gaurav Juneja is in complete tandem with Kapture CX’s exponential growth trajectory. We have confidence in his ability to lead and contribute to the company’s growth and prowess. Together, we look forward to delivering exceptional customer experiences and revolutionising the industry.”

    Delighted about the new role, Gaurav Juneja said, “I am truly excited to join Kapture as the Chief Revenue Officer, drawn by our shared mission of revolutionising customer experiences. In today’s ever-evolving landscape, where customers crave seamless & contextual conversations, Kapture stands out with its AI-first platform and a unique vertical focus on sectors like Retail & Ecom, BFSI, Consumer Durables and Travel. What sets Kapture apart is not just its vision but its tangible impact, with over 400 leading enterprise customers leveraging the platform across the US, South East Asia, and India.”

    “I am enthusiastic about contributing to Kapture’s success story and redefining the global standards for customer excellence. Together, we will continue to innovate and lead, ensuring Customer experience becomes a key competitive advantage in this fast-paced, interconnected world,” he added.

    Prior to his joining at Kapture CX, Gaurav Juneja served as head of digitalisation at Google where he worked with some of the largest omni channel businesses in BFSI, retail, auto and FMCG verticals. His venture into entrepreneurship saw him co-founding StarQuik, a testament to his visionary leadership and knack for innovation, which was later acquired by TATA Trent, marking a significant milestone in his career. Gaurav’s extensive experience also includes senior roles at renowned businesses like Lehman Brothers and Reliance, where he demonstrated exceptional skill in driving growth and leading teams to success.

    Gaurav’s unique blend of technical expertise, entrepreneurial success, and executive leadership makes him the ideal candidate to lead our revenue strategies as we aim for exponential growth globally at Kapture CX. He did his MBA from IIM Lucknow and graduated from University of Delhi.