Category: People

  • HostBooks appoints RD Mishra as VP (FnB) for exponential growth

    HostBooks appoints RD Mishra as VP (FnB) for exponential growth

    Mumbai: HostBooks – a SaaS-based and one of the fastest-growing accounting platforms is moving on an expansion spree in the FnB industry with the recent appointment of RD Misjra as the vice president – Of fnB business from January 2024. With his appointment, HostBooks aims to revolutionise its growth strategy, strengthen its leadership position, and acquire a significant market share across FnB markets.

    With over 33 years of profound experience in the FnB industry across the gamut of Sales, Operations, Marketing, and Communications, Mishra is set to take charge of the new Development in the products, and Leadership delivery at HostBooks. His experience in leading and building excelling business strategies will facilitate the platform’s profitable growth trajectory and fortify its presence in the HORECA industry with new excellence.

    Commenting on R D Mishra’s appointment, HostBooks founders  Kapil Rana & Biswajit Mishra said, “We’re excited to have RD Mishra in our team. His impressive track record in overseeing diverse operations across multiple globally renowned companies in the FnB industry will bring a spark to our products. The domain knowledge and network he brings to the forum will enable us to solidify our position as the leader in the automation software space of the FnB industry.”

    Delighted with the appointment, HostBooks global business head & Sr. director Dr Livingston said, “It is a wonderful opportunity to be a part of HostBooks that is taking charge of streamlining the automation requirement of the industries. Given my background in end-to-end process streamlining in the FnB industry, I look forward to contributing to the company’s ongoing success and propelling it to accelerate business efficiency.”

    We’re thrilled to welcome R D Mishra, a seasoned professional in the Food and Beverage software and service industry, to HostBooks. With his wealth of experience, industry insights, and strategic acumen, Mr. Mishra is a valuable addition to our team. We’re confident that his presence will contribute significantly to our growth and success, aligning seamlessly with our commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions and exceptional services, said BOD – CSO and Advisors Abhijit Dutta.

    I’m excited to collaborate with HostBooks’ talented team to develop a robust product for the FnB market, addressing their pain points. Confident in delivering exceptional value, I believe we’ll successfully implement solutions for both existing and new clients.” he adds.

    Before joining HostBooks, Mishra, former CIO at Om Sweets, played a pivotal role in building the business, leading product development, automation, and optimizing operations. With over a decade at Haldirams as AGM IT, he blended strategic thinking to foster excellence in execution.

    As a premium automated business solution that revolutionises the business operations of SMEs, HostBooks is poised to become a pioneer in this highly competitive space, delivering excellence in execution to its diverse clientele both global and domestic.

  • Melanie Zimmermann joins Criteo to lead its global retail media practice

    Melanie Zimmermann joins Criteo to lead its global retail media practice

    Mumbai: Criteo (NASDAQ: CRTO), the commerce media company, has announced the appointment of Melanie Zimmermann to lead its global retail media practice. As general manager, global retail media, she will be responsible for further building and scaling Criteo’s retail media business and developing its sales strategy worldwide to better support evolving client needs and solidify Criteo’s leading position in commerce media.

    Zimmermann comes to Criteo from Macy’s, where she successfully built Macy’s Media Network, the company’s retail media network that reaches more than 46 million customers across Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s and influences more than 440 million transactions online and in-store. In her most recent role as VP, Head of Macy’s Media Network, she was responsible for developing and executing strategy and leading all retail media operations from media planning, sales, campaign management and analytics.

    At Criteo, Zimmermann will report to chief revenue officer Brian Gleason and her team will be in charge of driving the global vision and strategy of Criteo’s retail media practice and forging alignment across regions. She will also play a pivotal role in retail media product strategy and prioritization, closely connecting commercial needs and product development.

    Zimmermann’s hire comes on the heels of Stephen Howard-Sarin’s appointment as managing director of Retail Media in the Americas in December 2023. Most recently at Instacart as VP and general manager of Retail Media, Howard-Sarin brings to Criteo over a dozen years of retail media experience with leadership positions at eBay Ads and Walmart Connect. His focus is on building and growing Criteo’s retail media footprint with advertisers and retailers in the Americas and reports to Americas executive managing director Sherry Smith.

    “As we continue to evolve alongside the industry, we’re excited to expand our deep bench of retail media talent with the addition of two key industry leaders. Melanie has an impressive track record of building and scaling a high-performing retail media network. Her experience at Macy’s kept her at the forefront of innovation and will be a key asset as we help unify an ecosystem that’s poised for a new stage of growth,” said Criteo CRO Brian Gleason. “In addition, I am confident that Stephen’s diversified experience leading retail media teams for the last decade will help grow our footprint and continue to transform the business in the Americas.”

    According to McKinsey, commerce media could generate over $1.3 trillion of enterprise value in the U.S. alone, positioning it to transform the world of digital advertising in a manner not seen since the rise of programmatic. Retail media as a subcomponent of that category is expected to generate $100 billion in ad spending by 2026.

    “With its massive global retailer footprint and thousands of brand advertiser partners, Criteo is not only a pioneer in retail media, but it’s also constantly evolving its unique position by tapping into strategic growth areas and building solutions to create an ecosystem that drives the most value for retailers, brands, and agencies,” said Zimmermann. “I’m excited to join the company as it continues to develop solutions for its clients’ specific needs and help them reach their full potential with retail media.”

    Zimmermann started her career in consulting with Bain & Company in Europe before joining Macy’s in 2013, where she held different leadership positions including corporate strategy over the last 10 years. With both hires, Criteo expands its roster of executives with deep industry expertise to further shape the future of commerce media.

  • DRIM Global bolsters leadership team in India with key appointments for business and growth

    DRIM Global bolsters leadership team in India with key appointments for business and growth

    Mumbai: DRIM Global influencer marketing platform, is proud to announce key leadership appointments aimed at driving business and growth in the region. Anshuman Singh, a seasoned professional with over five years of industry expertise, is appointed as the head of business strategy. Anwesha Sarker, a growth initiatives specialist, joins as the head of growth for India and the MENA region.

    DRIM Global the head of Asia Yulia Aslamova expresses her excitement: “DRIM warmly embraces the presence of Anshuman and Anwesha, a testament to our unwavering dedication to strategic leadership and robust growth initiatives. Their inclusion marks a pivotal moment for our organization, propelling us toward new heights of success and innovation. As we embark on this exciting journey, we are confident that their expertise will further fortify our position as a global leader in our industry. DRIM is not just a company; it’s a thriving community of visionaries, and with Anshuman and Anwesha on board, we are poised to redefine excellence and set new benchmarks for the future. Welcome to the DRIM family, where possibilities are limitless, and success knows no bounds.”

    Anshuman Singh, a seasoned strategist with a track record in data-driven marketing, has led digital efforts for renowned brands like Marks & Spencer, Croma, AT&T, Tata Play, IDFC First Bank, and Luxottica at Dentsu and Publicis Groupe. As the head of business strategy at DRIM, he brings a global perspective and deep insights into the Indian market. Anshuman’s hands-on approach integrates technology and influencer marketing for sustainable brand growth, impacting the entire marketing funnel. His role not only shapes DRIM’s success but also contributes to the broader evolution of digital marketing practices. Anshuman shares his enthusiasm, saying, “I am thrilled to join DRIM Global and contribute to shaping the strategic direction that will drive the company’s continued success in the dynamic influencer marketing landscape.”

    Anwesha Sarker brings with her over ten years of expertise in media specifically. She is entrusted with overseeing business planning, profitability, and expansions at DRIM Global owing to her large network, strength in acquisition, and client success. She is recognised for her proficiency in fostering growth initiatives and is eager to spearhead expansion efforts in the India and MENA markets. Anwesha states, “I am excited to be part of DRIM Global and look forward to leveraging my skills to fortify the company’s presence and accelerate growth in these crucial regions.”

    Their appointments underscore DRIM Global’s commitment to strategic leadership and its dedication to propelling growth strategies across key markets. Together, Anshuman Singh and Anwesha Sarker’s combined expertise will undoubtedly strengthen the company’s position as a frontrunner in the influencer marketing industry.

  • Tata Power celebrates the power of courage; Onboards ace mountaineer Baljeet Kaur

    Tata Power celebrates the power of courage; Onboards ace mountaineer Baljeet Kaur

    Mumbai: Tata Power, one of the integrated power companies, onboards acclaimed mountaineer, Baljeet Kaur, as a sustainability champion, in the company’s renewables business. This is in line with the company’s commitment to support the country’s young talent in unconventional fields.

    In the challenging world of mountaineering, 27-year-old Baljeet Kaur stands out with her exceptional accomplishments. In 2023, she earned the prestigious Gold Medal for excellent performance in mountaineering from the Indian Mountaineering Foundation. Baljeet holds several notable firsts, such as being the first Indian to climb seven peaks surpassing 8000 meters. She stands as the first Indian woman to ascend Mount Everest, Mount Lhotse and Mount Manaslu, which she climbed without oxygen, showcasing courage, unwavering determination, and resilience. These are attributes that Tata Power not only applauds but also instils in its workforce and community.

    Baljeet, who hails from the hills of Himachal Pradesh, has a close association with nature and refers to the mountains as her “first love”. She truly understands the value of sustainable living and will play an important role in advocating the ‘Sustainable is Attainable’ movement of Tata Power which promotes a sustainable lifestyle among citizens through the adoption of clean energy solutions.  

    Baljeet will inspire the thousands of Tata Power employees across the country to foster a connection with nature and further amplify the environmental care and community development initiatives of the company.

    Tata Power CEO & MD Dr Praveer Sinha said, “I am delighted to welcome Baljeet to the Tata Power family. With her spirit of resilience, agility, care for the environment, and focus on safety, she truly symbolises the ethos of Tata Power. Her onboarding is a testament to Tata Power’s dedication to championing women in sports and nurturing emerging talent in the country. With her #Powerofcourage, I’m sure she will be a role model for the youth of the nation.”

    “I am excited to be a part of the Tata Power team and promote the cause of sustainable living. I am thrilled to have a platform like this, which is championing sustainability and supporting young talent in diverse fields across the country. With this support, I look forward to making meaningful contributions to both sustainability and the empowerment of women in mountaineering.” said Baljeet Kaur.

    Baljeet Kaur’s association with Tata Power emphasises the shared commitment to environmental responsibility and the pursuit of excellence in every endeavour. Tata Power looks forward to Baljeet’s unique perspective and real-life experiences to drive meaningful initiatives.

  • Kia India names Gwanggu Lee as the managing director and CEO

    Kia India names Gwanggu Lee as the managing director and CEO

    Mumbai : Kia India premium carmaker, announced the appointment of Gwanggu Lee as the new managing director and CEO, effective immediately.

    He will be the 3 managing director and CEO of Kia India, succeeding Kook Hyun Shim and Mr. Tae Jin Park. Kia India’s former MD & CEO – Tae Jin Park, is retiring after his remarkable 36-year journey with Kia Corporation and 4 years stint with Kia India.

    With over 30 years of robust experience in the automotive sector, Gwanggu Lee will spearhead Kia’s transformative journey focusing on fostering sustainable business growth. Lee has held leadership positions in various capacities in both developed and developing economies, including roles in the US, Canada, Italy, Mexico, Kia Headquarters in Central and South America, and Kia Europe Headquarters in Germany. His recent role as President at Kia Mexico played a pivotal role in the company’s substantial growth and establishment as a production and export hub.

    Commenting on his appointment, Kia India, MD CEO Gwanggu Lee said, “I am very excited to assume this responsibility as Kia India has become one of the most loved and trusted brands in just 4 years. With two segment-breaking updates – the new Seltos & the new Sonet and a host of more innovative products on the way, Kia India is surely on the right path to sustainable business growth. It’s a privilege to lead a team that has set industry benchmarks, and I shall be contributing towards achieving many more as one team. My vision is to unlock the next phase of growth through inspiring Kia brand experiences thereby creating more value and long-lasting impact for our customers, partners, and employees alike.”

    With his experience within the industry and the brand, Gwanggu Lee will continue to grow Brand Kia’s strong position in India.

     

  • Air India announces P Balaji as group head group head- governance, regulatory, GRC

    Air India announces P Balaji as group head group head- governance, regulatory, GRC

    Mumbai: Air India today announced the appointment of P. Balaji in a newly created role of group head- governance, regulatory, compliance (GRC) and corporate Affairs. Balaji assume his role at Air India on 11 January 2024, and will report to Air India CEO & MD, Campbell Wilson. He will oversee the Government Affairs, Legal, Ethics, Sustainability, and Corporate Communications functions at Air India, among others.

    Balaji started his career with Tata Administrative Services and has rich experience of over 30 years in telecom & IT Sector in diverse functions including regulatory policy, compliance, sales, product management, marketing, strategy, M&A and operations. He joins Air India after nearly a decade-long stint at Vodafone Idea Limited where he spearheaded the regulatory and public policy functions.

    Announcing Balaji’s appointment, Air India CEO & MD Campbell Wilson said:“We are pleased to have Balaji on board. Having worked in the regulatory and policy space, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will be valuable to the ongoing transformation at Air India. At Air India, we remain committed to building top leadership as we continue to invest in all the resources that are required to take the airline to the upper echelons of global aviation.” 

  • Edgio promotes Todd Hinders to chief executive officer

    Edgio promotes Todd Hinders to chief executive officer

    Mumbai: Edgio Inc, the platform for speed, security, and simplicity at the edge, announced that Todd Hinders has been promoted to the position of CEO, effective immediately. Hinders has also joined the company’s board of directors. Hinders takes over from Bob Lyons, who has resigned from his role as president and CEO and as a member of the board of directors.

    Hinders has served as the company’s chief revenue officer since May 2023. He has a 25-year track record of success, building cloud, security, edge, and media platform businesses in both start-up environments and high growth hyperscalers. He has led global sales and customer growth for AWS Elemental, an amazon web services company, and overseeing go-to-market activities for AWS elemental media services, CloudFront, Twitch Interactive video service, and Edge security products. Prior to his time at AWS Elemental, Todd held numerous leadership roles at Cisco systems, Maven networks, Encoding.com/ Loudeye and other leading technology firms where he has demonstrated his strategic, go-to-market and business capability.

    Edgio chairman of the board Kenneth Traub said, “On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Bob and wish him well in his future endeavors now is the right time for new leadership that will infuse Edgio with the discipline and energy needed to capitalize on the opportunity Edgio has in the marketplace. While Edgio had a challenging year in 2023, we are excited to start 2024 under Todd’s leadership. Todd brings both continuity and new passion to help the company achieve its potential. He and the entire executive leadership team of Edgio have the full support of the Board.”

    Edgio CEO Todd Hinders said, “I’m thrilled to be leading Edgio at this exciting time for the company, Edgio is on a transformative journey. We’re diligently optimising our global edge-network, expanding our customer base, particularly in high-margin streaming and application businesses and reducing operating expenses. We have also been adding world-class talent to our team and strengthening our balance sheet. Together with our new board of directors, the executive team, our dedicated employees, and valued customers and partners, we intend to build a world-class company, relentlessly delivering on customer success and maximizing shareholder value.”

  • Ecom Express designates Pankaj Singh as chief commercial officer

    Ecom Express designates Pankaj Singh as chief commercial officer

    Mumbai: Ecom Express Ltd, a technology-driven end-to-end logistics solutions provider, announces a new role of chief commercial officer at Ecom Express, with Pankaj Singh, ex-founder of a proptech venture – Multiliving Technologies, taking up the role effective from 4 January 2024.

    In this key role, Singh will spearhead the company’s end-to-end procurement, covering sourcing, spend management and strategic management of cost levers of the supply chain. This is a new role and structure being created by Ecom Express to build a stronger P&L focus and driving a clear cost management agenda.

    Pankaj Singh comes with a distinguished career as an entrepreneur, founding and managing multiple successful businesses at the intersection of physical set-up in real estate and technology solutions. In his previous stints, he has handled multi-thousand crore spends across large brands. He was previously the chief growth officer at The House of Abhinandan Lodha. Pankaj is an IIM-Ahmedabad graduate, batch of 2011.

    “Pankaj’s deep understanding of running start-ups and sharper focus on driving cost efficiency will enable tangible results and drive a larger P&L impact for the company,” said Ecom Express CEO & MD Ajay Chitkara. “We are confident that his leadership will propel Ecom Express to even greater heights, solidifying our position as a leader in the logistics industry.”

     

  • Amitesh Rao appointed as Leo Burnett South Asia CEO

    Amitesh Rao appointed as Leo Burnett South Asia CEO

    Mumbai: Publicis Groupe South Asia has announced the appointment of Amitesh Rao as the chief executive officer of Leo Burnett South Asia. In this role, Rao’s remit will include all operations of Leo Burnett India including Leo Burnett Orchard, across Mumbai, Gurgaon, Bangalore, Chennai, and rest of South Asia. In addition, he will provide oversight on Publicis Health and Publicis Business. The role will report into Anupriya Acharya, CEO Publicis Groupe South Asia and will work closely with Rajdeepak Das, chief creative officer, Publicis Groupe India and chairman, Leo Burnett South Asia.

    Leo Burnett India has been a premiere, creative powerhouse in the country, known for its iconic advertising and modern, human, and purposeful marketing solutions. Over the last many years, its meteoric rise and trailblazing performance on new business and new-age work has taken it to the top position.

    Rao, with his cross-disciplinary and cross-category experience from various leadership roles, remarkable track record on client businesses and wealth of expertise across technology, data and creativity has been handpicked to lead Leo Burnett South Asia into its next stage of growth and creative ambitions.

    An alumnus of IIM Bangalore, Rao comes with more than 25 years of leadership experience across advertising, marketing and technology entrepreneurship in gaming and simulation. He joins from McCann India where he was the executive director, heading North and West Operations. Prior to this, Rao has also held top positions at TBWA, Rediffusion, and JWT and in his advertising stints worked across markets with marquee clients such as PepsiCo, Airtel, Nestlé, Reckitt, Coke, Mastercard and Nissan.  His marketing and sales experience has been in the Telco and Data space with MTS and RPG.

    Publicis Groupe South Asia CEO Anupriya Acharya said, “I am delighted to welcome Amitesh Rao. We are in an age of constant invention and re-invention and in Amitesh, we found the perfect leader who brings both a thorough appreciation of the power of creativity in building strong brands and an intimate understanding and fluency in diverse languages of technology, gaming, data, and platforms. His easy demeanour and candid attitude are an added asset for clients, our teams and our Groupe’s Power of One agenda. I look forward to working with him.”

    Amitesh Rao said, “I look forward to leading Leo Burnett South Asia in an era where the confluence of technology and creativity is redefining the playing field. With its outstanding creativity and top accolades, a remarkable roster of blue-chip clients and amazing talent pool, the agency offers an incredible canvas. I hope to bring new perspective on client businesses, strengthen seamless solutions and look forward to accelerating growth for Leo Burnett and its clients.”

    Publicis Groupe India chief creative officer and Leo Burnett South Asia chairman Rajdeepak Das said, “Having built Leo Burnett South Asia over the last 10 years and making it synonymous with iconic, inspiring creativity that transforms brands and businesses, I am delighted to find in Amitesh a leader who resonates with LB’s ethos and brings with him strong and diverse experience that can take Leo Burnett South Asia to the next level of success and build on the agency’s stellar offerings. We all look forward to partnering him!”

  • Birlasoft appoints Manjunath Kygonahally as CEO for ROW region

    Birlasoft appoints Manjunath Kygonahally as CEO for ROW region

    Mumbai: Birlasoft Ltd, part of the Rs 2.9 billion diversified C.K. Birla Group, announced the appointment of Manjunath Kygonahally (Manju) as chief executive officer (CEO) for Rest of the World (ROW) region, effective 2 January 2024. He will be based in the UK.

    Manju would be responsible for all business and strategic growth initiatives in the ROW region, comprising all regions outside of the Americas. Manju is a seasoned services industry professional with diversified industry expertise spanning market strategy, business development, service delivery, and operations. With a strong foundation in P&L and client relationship management, Manju has adeptly built high performing teams, demonstrating a proven track record across the United States, United Kingdom & Ireland, and Europe.

    Commenting on Manju’s appointment Birlasoft CEO and managing director Angan Guha said, “On behalf of the board of directors and the entire Birlasoft family, I extend a warm welcome to Manju. He possesses an exceptional leadership record, a unique knack for fostering lasting client relationships, and has successfully guided large-scale digital transformation programs. We are on a positive growth trajectory and well-positioned to continue building on our strong momentum. I am certain that Manju’s addition to our leadership team will further reinforce Birlasoft’s commitment to be bold, agile and ambitious and drive our next phase of growth.”

    In his previous role, Manju was leading the communications, media & entertainment (CMT) business for Cognizant’s Global Growth Markets based out of London. Over his twenty-five-year tenure, he held multiple leadership positions, where he conceptualised and spearheaded numerous strategic programs across various business units.