ITV

Category: People

  • L&K Saatchi & Saatchi appoints Balakrishna Gajelli as executive creative director

    L&K Saatchi & Saatchi appoints Balakrishna Gajelli as executive creative director

    Mumbai: L&K Saatchi & Saatchi, part of Publicis Groupe India, has appointed Balakrishna Gajelli as its  executive creative director. He will be based in the agency’s Mumbai office and report to L&K Saatchi & Saatchi’s CCO Kartik Smetacek.  

    With over 17 years of experience encompassing art, design, branding & creative direction in  advertising, Gajelli has crafted creative communications for renowned brands such as P&G,  VISA, Bumble, Johnson’s Baby, Pillsbury, Amul, Tata Salt, Tata Indicom, Idea Mobile, ITC  Foods, Crompton, and many others.

    His outstanding contributions and wide-ranging expertise in the advertising and marketing  field earned him a place among top 5 creative directors globally in The Big Won report for  2016. Additionally, he has been recognized as the #1 Hottest Creative in India by the  Campaign Brief Asia Creative Ranking. Previously, Bala has worked with FCB Ulka, BBDO India  and Leo Burnett India.

    Commenting on his appointment, Smetaceki said, “This will be the second time I’m working with Bala. He’s a solid thinker, a  talented designer and a trustworthy individual. In recent years, he’s also gained a lot of  experience with non-traditional work, working on some on India’s most awarded campaigns.  It’s fantastic to have him be part of our team.”

    Gajelli added, “I have great respect for L&K Saatchi & Saatchi’s creative, authentic, and brand centric approach so I am thrilled to be part of this organisation. It’s great to work with Kartik  again, and the agency’s vibrant culture and uplifting environment are plus points. I’m  enthusiastic about becoming a valued member of this team and family, contributing to an  exhilarating new phase for L&K Saatchi & Saatchi, and nurturing my professional  development. I eagerly anticipate leveraging the insights gained from my previous stints and  experiences to craft meaningful and innovative advertising and marketing solutions for our  clients.”

    Bala’s work has won the highest honours at Cannes Lions, Cannes Lions, D&AD, One Show,  LIA, WARC, New York Festival, AdFest, SpikesAsia, APAC Effies & Abbys. 

  • FICCI appoints Arjun Nohwar as co-chair of FICCI Media & Entertainment Committee

    FICCI appoints Arjun Nohwar as co-chair of FICCI Media & Entertainment Committee

    Mumbai: The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has appointed Arjun Nohwar as the co-chair of the FICCI Media & Entertainment Board. Currently the general manager for India & South Asia for Warner Bros Discovery, Nohwar oversees the business in the region, leading operations across a diverse portfolio of global brands and networks in kids, entertainment, sports, and infotainment genres. This includes iconic brands such as Discovery, Animal Planet, Eurosport, Cartoon Network, POGO, Discovery Kids, DC, and the discovery+ streaming service.

    Elaborating on his vision for the industry, Nohwar said, “Accepting the mantle of Co-Chair at FICCI’s Media & Entertainment committee is an honour for me and I look forward to engaging with industry leaders, government stakeholders, and policy makers. Together, with a shared commitment, we aspire to build synergies that not only guide our industry towards unparalleled growth but also solidify its standing as a global leader. In this endeavour, I look forward to working closely with Kevin Vaz ( hair) and Sandhya Devanathan (co-chair), leveraging our collective expertise to chart a visionary course for the industry. FICCI’s steadfast dedication to fostering collaboration and shaping progressive policies is laudable, and I am particularly excited about the prospect of contributing to the dynamic evolution of the Indian Media & Entertainment landscape.”

    Nohwar has a robust background of working across technology and consumer facing sectors. He has worked at Uber, Tata Sons, several Tata companies as a TAS Manager, and at the Planning Commission of India. Prior to his role at Warner Bros Discovery,  Nohwar was the APAC Regional GM for Uber’s SaaS business. Nohwar is on the Advisory Board of AMBA, a social enterprise that works to provide economic independence to the intellectually challenged, he routinely advises startups and lectures at educational institutes.

  • FICCI appointments Kevin Vaz as chairman of FICCI media & entertainment committee

    FICCI appointments Kevin Vaz as chairman of FICCI media & entertainment committee

    Mumbai: The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) announced the appointment of Kevin Vaz, CEO – broadcast entertainment, Viacom18 as the chairman of FICCI media & entertainment committee.

    Vaz, a highly accomplished executive with nearly three decades of experience in the Media & Entertainment industry, joined Viacom18 in July 2023 as CEO – broadcast entertainment. In his current capacity, he oversees the media company’s broadcast business, film studio, merchandising business, live entertainment, and regional entertainment on Viacom18’s digital (OTT) platform. Vaz’s visionary leadership and strategic insight have already begun elevating the company’s television viewership, scaled up revenue realization, and significantly increased the network’s overall market share across genres and geographies.

    FICCI Media and Entertainment Committee for the last 25 years has been the principal force behind major policy changes and working towards fostering growth, advocating for favourable policies, and promoting the overall development of the sector and its allied ecosystems. The committee has been chaired by Yash Chopra, Karan Johar, Uday Shankar, Sanjay Gupta and Jyoti Deshpande in the past.

    FICCI deputy secretary general Leena Jaisani said, “FICCI, as the apex industry association, has consistently led the charge in fostering collaborations with diverse stakeholders within the realms of Indian commerce and government.  In navigating the complexities of this dynamic landscape, FICCI remains steadfast in its commitment to driving meaningful policy discussions and facilitating their effective adoption, thereby shaping a vibrant and progressive future for the media and entertainment sector in India. FICCI is confident that Mr Vaz, with his wealth of experience, will bring fresh perspectives and contribute significantly to the continued growth of the media & entertainment industry.”

    Chairman broadcast entertainment, Viacom18 and FICCI media and entertainment committee & CEO Kevin Vaz  said, “The Indian media and entertainment industry is at an interesting tipping point in time. While the interplay of technology, content and consumer behaviour is reshaping the very definition of the sector, in India there is a clear headroom for growth across categories and a confluence of interests between multiple players in the ecosystem. At a global stage, the soft power inherent to our industry can act as a leverage multiplier to India’s growing cultural influence. I feel honoured to be given the responsibility to lead this committee and look forward to interacting with stakeholders across the board to further our sector’s footprint.”

    The dynamic committee includes promoters and CEOs from various verticals such as TV and radio broadcast, film production & exhibition, print, animation, visual effects, gaming, comics, AR/VR/MR (AVGC-XR), digital entertainment events, OOH, among others.

    Vaz along with the Media and Entertainment committee will be engaging with the industry at FICCI FRAMES 2024 scheduled from 5 to 7 March 2024 in Mumbai.
     

  • Bharat Gupta elected as regional president of the South Asian division of INMA

    Bharat Gupta elected as regional president of the South Asian division of INMA

    Mumbai: In a recent development, Bharat Gupta was elected as regional president of the South Asian division of the International News Media Association ( INMA).

    Jagran New Media is the digital division of Jagran Prakashan which also operates business on other platforms like print, radio. INMA conducted a recent election to elect representatives. New officers and regional directors are also appointed to the board.

    Commenting on the appointment, Bharat Gupta said, ‘ My primary focus will be driving scale, impact, sustainability for digital news media companies, and central to my vision is the creation of a collaborative platform where we can all ideate, collaborate, and innovate. There will be special emphasis on culture building within our organisations, particularly through fostering diversity, inclusion, and equity to ensure a transformative impact across the media landscape.’

     

  • Group M Nexus announced Rajiv Rajgopal as head of advanced Tv

    Group M Nexus announced Rajiv Rajgopal as head of advanced Tv

    Mumbai: Group M Nexus announced Rajiv Rajgopal as head of advanced TV. Rajgopal will lead business operations and management, strategic partnership decisions.

    Finecast is a TV solution company operated across 14 countries. In the previous role, he was head of client development and engagement for India’s division of Finecast.

    Rajgopal has been associated with Group M since 2016. Earlier he also served in Star India, Red FM, and Radio Mirchi.

  • FNP appoints Paridhi Joshi as AVP retail

    FNP appoints Paridhi Joshi as AVP retail

    Mumbai: FNP ( previously Ferns N Petals) has appointed Paridhi Joshi as assistant vice president retail. Joshi has a vast 14 years of experience in the retail industry. Paridhi Joshi earlier worked with brands like Aditya Birla Fashion, Retail, and Colour Plus. She is renowned for strategic decision making and enthusiastic for giving innovative results.

    Speaking to the media regarding the appointment of Paridhi Joshi, FNP global director and CEO Pawan Padia said, ‘ We are set to enhance the customer journey, infusion of latest trends, showcasing our gift offerings in an engaging and impactful way. We are confident that her leadership will bring valuable insights and contribute significantly to our endeavours.’

    In a new role she will serve the company in strategic decision making and crucial decision making in customer engagement. FNP has a large presence across pan India and abroad.

  • Priyanka Gill is elevated to chairperson of Good Media Co

    Priyanka Gill is elevated to chairperson of Good Media Co

    Mumbai: The Good Glamm Group announced the elevation of group co-founder Priyanka Gill to the board. Priyanka Gill is also elevated to chairperson of Good Media Co. This important announcement marks Priyanka’s transition to a more strategic position within the Good GlammGroup.

    Remaining an integral part of the Good Glamm Groups, group co-founder Priyanka will continue to advice on strategic and investment matters while also taking on special oversight for Good Media Co. Given her wide-ranging experience and a proven track record, her contribution to the Good GlammGroup’ supward trajectory will continue to be pivotal.

    Priyanka Gill joins Kalaari Capital as a venture partner. She is already a founding board member of CXXO. The CXXO initiative by Kalaari Capital is dedicated to supporting companies led by female founders, aligning seamlessly with Priyanka’s broader commitment to championing entrepreneurs, especially women entrepreneurs. Priyanka will now head the CXXO initiative to scale more female founders in the startup ecosystem.

    Commenting on this news, Good Glamm Group group co-founder Priyanka Gill commented, “I am thrilled to embark on this new chapter in my career. Joining Kalaari Capital as a venture partner- it is an exciting opportunity for me to align my passion for fostering entrepreneurship in the startup ecosystem. Kalaari Capital was the first institutional investor when I began my entrepreneurial journey- the support and advice I received was vital.

    I retain close ties with the Good Glamm Group as group co- founder and am confident that as a group we will continue to flourish. I am honoured to be elevated to the board of the Good Glamm Group. As chairperson of Good Media Co, I am invested in assuring the pivotal content-to-commerce flywheel that built the Good Glamm Group continues performs even better.

    This transition allows me to contribute strategically to Good Glamm Group’s vision while dedicating more time towards my passion to support emerging entrepreneurs, particularly women entrepreneurs under the aegis of Kalaari Capital and CXXO.”

    Good Glamm Group founder and CEO Darpan Sanghvi expressed his confidence in Priyanka’s elevation, stating, “Priyanka has played an extremely instrumental role at Good Glamm Group. We started the journey of content-to-commerce together in 2020 and have since expanded the company together.

    For some time now, Priyanka has been helping me through our investments and strategic initiatives and we are thrilled to announce Priyanka’s elevation to the Board of Good Glamm Group and her new role as chairperson of Good Media Co.

    This move is a testament to her exceptional leadership and vision. I am equally excited for Priyanka to join our friends at Kalaari Capital and am confident that Priyanka will continue to make valuable contributions to the success of the Good Glamm Group and leave an indelible mark in her new role at Kalaari Capital.”

    Kalaari Capital founder & managing director Vani Kola said “I first met Priyanka over a decade ago as the founder of POPxo. We invested in the company and I have seen Priyanka evolve as an impactful and empathetic leader. I am delighted to welcome Priyanka onboard Kalaari Capital as a venture partner advising our D2C portfolio. Her experience as an entrepreneur places her exceptionally well to support and guide founders and companies.

    She is already a founding board member of CXXO, a Kalaari Capital initiative that supports female founders. As she goes on to head the CXXO initiative to help more women-led companies scale.”

    Priyanka’s move to a more strategic role has been part of a planned transition over the last 12 months, driven by her passion for supporting emerging entrepreneurs, with a particular focus on empowering women leaders in the startup ecosystem.

  • Performics India elevates Gautam Surath as its chief operating officer

    Performics India elevates Gautam Surath as its chief operating officer

    Mumbai: Performics India, part of Publicis Groupe India has announced the elevation of Gautam Surath as its Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective from January 1, 2024. In his new position, Surath will provide strategic direction and oversight to all domestic large client portfolio, spanning across BFSI, CPG, Telco, Travel& Hospitality, Gaming and New-Age Startup industry verticals. In addition, he will integrate Performics’s rich expertise on digital media, e-commerce and SEO with new-age beyond media capabilities such as MarTech, Data, AI and Performance creatives to help our clients maximise value from their digital investments. In this new role, Surath will report to Lalatendu Das, Performics India CEO.

    Surath has been with Publicis Groupe for over 20 years, working across, China, Southeast Asia and India. Surath has demonstrated an impressive track record in serving clients across media, ecommerce, data, analytics and technology. Prior to the current role, Surath led BFSI and CPG verticals for Performics India as its Managing Partner.

    Performics is a leading provider of digital, performance marketing, e-commerce, digital creative and MarTech solutions in India. Performics India has been on a strong growth trajectory, clocking double digit revenue CAGR consistently over last 4 years. Further, 2023 has been a seminal year for Performics with multiple award wins at reputed platforms such as DRUM, Effies, MMA Smarties and Emvies. Performics India’s decision to appoint Surath as COO is a strategic move aligned to the company’s overarching vision of being the ‘pre-eminent full-stack digital marketing Agency in India.’ His proficiency in cross-disciplinary functions, along with his proven leadership capabilities, positions him as a key enabler in realising Performics India’s aforesaid vision.

    Das said, “I am extremely pleased to have Gautam as our Chief Operating Officer at Performics India. Gautam brings rich digital experience at the intersection of digital Branding, eCommerce and Performance media. Our clients are looking for full-stack digital solutions, including rich media, SEO, digital creatives, data and AI, to drive specific outcomes.

    Leveraging his holistic understanding on media, data, analytics and eCommerce, Gautam will provide consultative support to our clients in their growth journey. Further, as Chief Operating Officer, Gautam is poised to contribute significantly to Performics India’s continued success and growth trajectory. On behalf of the entire team at Performics India, I congratulate Gautam on this well-deserved promotion and look forward to our continued collaboration.”

    Speaking about the new opportunity, Surath said “These are exciting times at Performics India. We are now well into our journey of creating expertise within our key industry verticals CPG, BFSI/Fintech, OTT and Telecom. We continue to strive to grow our clients market share through a blend of strategic, technological, and product-oriented solutions. In a world where consumers engage with more and more platforms, our 1800 performance marketing experts, who undergo continuous certification on these platforms bring a distinctive advantage to our clients. I look forward to being part of Performics India’s growth journey and the opportunity to shape it.”

  • HostBooks onboards Girish Belekar as head of implementation

    HostBooks onboards Girish Belekar as head of implementation

    Mumbai: HostBooks Ltd- an all-in-one comprehensive platform for diverse business needs has recently announced the appointment of Girish Belekar as Head of implementation. His appointment is followed by the platform’s strategic endeavour to strengthen its current footprint, whilst taking proactive steps to head on an expansion journey.

    With his Six Sigma certification and over 23 years of experience in the gamut of AP ECC, Oracle EBS, OTM, INFOR ERP Implementation, Infra and Help Desk Services, Data Centre Operation, and more across all facets of diverse industries, Belekar’s role will be instrumental in redefining the company’s implementation strategy, forging a stronger alliance and partner management. In his new role, he is set to take charge of the company’s implementation and manage the service migration and delivery between technical teams.

    Commenting on Belekar’s appointment, HORECA director and global business director Dr.Livingston said, “I am thrilled about Girish’s appointment, citing his impressive 23-year track record in strategic planning, team leadership through transitions, and overseeing the product/project lifecycle. Girish’s expertise is expected to drive substantial growth, enhance key areas, and solidify our position as a cloud software market leader.”

    Leveraging his expertise in tackling intricate business challenges, Belekar at HostBooks is set to play a key role in crafting a strategic growth plan, emphasizing quality in optimizing business processes. His responsibilities include formulating impactful go-to-market strategies to maximize synergy, elevate sales, and significantly expand the platform’s customer base through a comprehensive enterprise-wide approach aligned with growth opportunities.

    Elated to begin as the new Head of Implementation at HostBooks, Belekar expressed excitement, saying, “Thrilled to join HostBooks’ skilled team and expansive network. Leveraging my analytical mindset and implementation experience, I anticipate advancing HostBooks’ leadership in automation software. Through collaborative efforts to improve sales and marketing strategies, I’m confident we’ll be a catalyst for SME growth, achieving significant results.”

    Before HostBooks, Belekar led projects as Implementation Project Manager at Logstar and held key roles at NewAge Software & Solutions, contributing significantly to technology implementation and customer relationship management. With decades of experience, he collaborated with reputable organizations like Robinsons Cargo & Logistics Pvt Ltd and Indoco Remedies.
    As a pioneering automated business solution that revolutionises the business operations of SMEs, HostBooks is poised to become a premier provider in this highly competitive space. By onboarding Belekar to its network, the company will deliver excellence in execution to its diverse clientele both international and domestic.

  • Akash Palkhiwala elevated as CFO, COO of the Qualcomm

    Akash Palkhiwala elevated as CFO, COO of the Qualcomm

    Mumbai : Qualcomm recently created the position of COO, Akash Palkhiwala elevated as the new CFO, COO of the Qualcomm.made by CEO and president of the Qualcomm Cristiano Amon. Earlier he worked as SVP and finance lead at Qualcomm semiconductor business.

    He has more than 23 years of experience across various industries in leadership roles. He will serve his expertise in financial operations and expansion for the company.He will also handle operations and information technology across the globe for the company.