ITV

Category: MAM

  • WPP Media South Asia hits reset with new leadership councils and client-first gameplan

    WPP Media South Asia hits reset with new leadership councils and client-first gameplan

    MUMBAI: WPP Media South Asia has officially turned the page on its GroupM chapter with a sweeping leadership overhaul, as it embraces a sharper, integrated model under WPP’s global media reset.

    The network’s new direction was internally announced this week, marking a bold step toward unified media, measurable outcomes, and future-ready innovation across India and South Asia.

    At the core of the transformation is a newly minted Executive Committee (ExCo), led by four presidents of client solutions — Priti Murthy, Ajay Gupte, Amin Lakhani, and Navin Khemka — who will jointly shape strategy, execution, and client delight across verticals.

    Supporting them is Vishandas Hardasani, continuing as chief finance officer, ensuring compliance and commercial rigour.

    In new, focused roles:

    ●    Upali Nag steps in as president – strategy, tasked with steering high-impact client programmes.

    ●    Vishal Jacob takes charge of Choreograph as president, scaling data and tech capabilities.

    ●    Ashwin Padmanabhan, now chief operating officer, will turbocharge execution across media buying, commerce, content, and sports.

    ●    Praseed Prasad, as president, growth & marketing, will focus on emerging categories, SMBs, startups and lead mOutcome initiatives.

    In tandem with the ExCo, WPP Media South Asia also launched the WPP Media Leadership Council (WLC), featuring a high-powered bench including Ajey Mehta, Atique Kazi, Ruchi Mathur, Shekhar Banerjee, Snehi Jha, Vinit Karnik, Manini Chakraborty, Namrata Mehra, Muralidhar T, Parveen Sheikh, and Rohit Sule.

    This cohort will focus on cohesion, culture, and capability-building to ensure WPP Media’s new architecture translates to real business wins.

    Prasanth Kumar continues to lead operations in India and Sri Lanka, anchoring both ExCo and WLC as they execute WPP’s new-age blueprint. A chief people officer appointment is also said to be in the works, hinting at a stronger push towards people-first transformation, learning, and leadership.

    With this structural shake-up, WPP Media South Asia isn’t just repositioning for the AI era — it’s building a battle-ready blueprint for the future of media.

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  • Project Worldwide taps Rasheed Sait and Neha Lobo for top roles

    Project Worldwide taps Rasheed Sait and Neha Lobo for top roles

    MUMBAI: Project Worldwide is getting serious about India’s marketing boom. In a move designed to fire up its growth engines across South Asia, the company has appointed Rasheed Sait as chief growth officer, India/South Asia, and brought in Neha Lobo as managing director of GPJ India, its flagship experiential agency.

    The double announcement signals a renewed focus on scale, strategy and storytelling in one of the world’s most dynamic consumer markets.

    A name synonymous with George P. Johnson (GPJ) India, Sait now steps into a broader role across Project Worldwide’s South Asia operations. As chief growth officer, he will oversee new business development, M&A, and the expansion of a Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, while continuing to advise GPJ India and sit on its board.

    “Rasheed’s ability to build high performance teams, his entrepreneurial spirit, combined with a unique ability to straddle strategy with creativity, has been instrumental in GPJ India establishing itself as a trusted advisor to a number of our global and local clients. His deep knowledge of the India/South Asia market makes him the ideal candidate to bring our vision to life,” said Project Worldwide CEO Chris Meyer.

    Replacing Sait at the helm of GPJ India is seasoned marketing pro Neha Lobo, whose 25-year career spans leadership roles at IBM, including APAC stints in digital marketing and sales development. Known for building high-performing teams and client-centric growth models, Lobo is now tasked with scaling GPJ India’s offering and cementing its spot at the top of the experiential food chain.

    “We are thrilled to welcome Neha Lobo to the GPJ India family,” said George P. Johnson CEO Fiona Burder. “Her transformational leadership, deep industry knowledge, and passion for creating engaging experiences make her the ideal person to lead GPJ India into its next phase of growth. We are confident that under her guidance, GPJ India will continue to push the boundaries of experiential marketing and deliver exceptional value to our clients.”

    Together, Sait and Lobo form a high-powered duo primed to steer Project Worldwide’s next wave in India. As the market heats up, the agency is betting big on local know-how and global ambition—with zero plans to play it safe.

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  • IIGC kicks off Bengaluru chapter with bold moves

    IIGC kicks off Bengaluru chapter with bold moves

    MUMBAI: The Indian Influencer Governing Council (IIGC) turned up the volume on India’s booming creator economy with its third official chapter, held at Taj Bangalore, and used the stage to make a headline-grabbing declaration: December 2 will now be observed as World Influencer Day.

    The high-energy gathering brought together over 100 voices from the creatorverse—marketing heads, digital honchos, platform leaders, and star content creators. It wasn’t just selfies and speeches, though. The event introduced IIGC Protect, a major initiative focused on legal literacy and mental wellness for influencers, in collaboration with Trilegal, United We Care, and Adayu (Fortis).

    Among the key speakers were Nikhil Sachdeva (partner, Trilegal), Rana Atheya (VP – business, United We Care), Sachin Baliga (advisor – neuromodulation, Fortis), and creator Aneri Thakkar, who addressed the growing need for psychological and legal safeguards in what remains an unregulated digital jungle.

    Adding teeth to its governance efforts, IIGC also launched a Taskforce and outlined a Code of Standards for brands and creators. Key voices like Varun Oberoi (VP, marketing & comms, Nissin), Jaikishin Chhaproo (head – media & PR, ITC Ltd), Gaurang Thosani (head – digital & e-sales, Royal Sundaram), and Aparajita Mukherjee (head – brands in culture, Diageo) shared best practices on responsible influencing.

    BBC Media Action Tej Prakash Yadav said, “Influencers have the power to spark change, ignite conversations that matter, and build something bigger than a brand: a movement. Influencing for Good adds depth to social capital, strengthens credibility, and shows the world the human behind the handle.”

    Gunjan Taneja (@Gunjanshouts), added, “Being an influencer is not about the number of followers or views, but the impact we are able to create. We need to consider that with our every word, action and recommendation one or several of our followers will buy the product or service with their hard earned money. Which is why it is our responsibility as creators to be cautious of what we say, with maturity and sensibility before we put out content.”

    IIGC chairman & founding member, Sahil Chopra led the felicitation ceremony that honored board members, as well as winners of the Indian Influencer Ratings Weekly Picks, which recognizes both “Trendsetters” and emerging “Underdoggs.”

    With three power-packed chapters under its belt, IIGC continues its mission to professionalise, protect, and celebrate India’s creator economy—one policy push, one punchline, and one post at a time.

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  • Badshah’s Badboy Pizza slips into India’s QSR scene with a bold, desi twist

    Badshah’s Badboy Pizza slips into India’s QSR scene with a bold, desi twist

    MUMBAI:  Critically acclaimed rapper, singer-songwriter and serial entrepreneur Badshah has fired up the ovens and stormed into India’s booming quick service restaurant (QSR) sector with Badboy Pizza—a mass-premium pizza chain that promises bold flavours, slick branding, and a desi-meets-global attitude.

    The artist, whose real name is Aditya Prateek Singh Sisodia, has teamed up with Ghost Kitchens India, one of the country’s largest cloud kitchen players led by serial founder Karan Tanna, to build what the duo claim will be “the most exciting QSR launch of the decade.”

    Ahead of the opening, the internet was set ablaze with a cheeky viral campaign featuring Badshah being slapped—by a pizza. The stunt, designed to juice the brand’s tagline ‘pizza that slaps,’ racked up over eight million views across platforms and turbocharged buzz around the brand’s launch.

    Badboy Pizza is now live with a flagship boutique outlet in Andheri, Mumbai, and is eyeing a footprint of 50 locations across India’s top five metros in the next three years. Built as a hybrid format of dine-in and delivery kitchens, the brand is chasing an ambitious Rs150 crore annual recurring revenue (ARR) target. The average bill: Rs 400 per person.

    At the heart of the venture is a 50-item cosmopolitan menu that fuses global favourites with desi swagger—from Truffle Cacio-e-Pepe and Korean Spice to Tandoori Tikka and Chicken Keemalal. There’s even a cinematic special called the Pushpa Pizza, spicy enough to match its namesake’s fire.

    Says Badshah: “Badboy Pizza is an extension of my personality — rooted, bold and real and this launch is special since I’ve always dreamt of having my own pizza chain! Drawing upon diverse culinary experiences from my travels over the years, my vision was to forge a brand that embodies international quality while resonating deeply with homegrown appeal. Partnering with Karan Tanna and Ghost Kitchens ensures we’re building not just a brand, but a truly world class and accessible culinary experience.”

    The crust, however, is the true hero. Made with Italian flour and cold fermented for 48 hours, it promises that elusive combo of crispy outside and fluffy inside—a far cry from the usual QSR fare.

    And the brand doesn’t stop at pizza. The menu includes garlic bread with butter chicken, spaghetti in bread bowls, flamboyant desserts like Fried Oreos with sea salt dark chocolate, and madcap sundaes in flavours such as Banaras Paan and Guava Masala.

    The brand identity? Loud, rebellious and proudly Indie-an. Badboy Pizza’s packaging mimics smuggled contraband—zesty lime and purple boxes emblazoned with bold typography and the playful wink of Jugnu, the mischievous mascot who glows when things get bold. The boxes double up as collectible street-art souvenirs—because why should a pizza box be boring?

    For Ghost Kitchens, the tie-up is a strategic masterstroke. Already home to brands like Starboy Pizza and Speak Burgers by Vicky Ratnani, the cloud-first company processes over 1.2 lakh orders monthly and is scaling fast after a $5 million Series A raise in 2024.

    Tanna said, “Badboy Pizza is poised to be the most exciting QSR launch of the decade. The brand reimagines what scalable QSRs of the future will look like. Badshah’s ability to shape trends and influence youth culture gives this brand an unmatched edge. Together, we’re building the future of QSR experiences in India.”

    India’s QSR market is surging—from $85.19 billion in 2025 to a projected $139.75 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 10.41 per cent, according to a press release issued by the company. The pizza segment alone is forecast to more than double to $11.8 billion by 2033.

    With the hype machine firing on all cylinders, a menu that dares to be different, and cultural cues baked into every bite, Badboy Pizza isn’t just selling food. It’s building a movement.

    And yes—this pizza really slaps.

  • Ashutosh Gupta appointed Coursera MD for India and Asia Pacific region

    Ashutosh Gupta appointed Coursera MD for India and Asia Pacific region

    MUMBAI: From scaling up social networks to leading the charge in online learning, Ashutosh Gupta is now scripting a new chapter at the intersection of tech and education. Veteran tech executive Ashutosh Gupta has been appointed managing director for India & Asia Pacific at Coursera, taking the reins in July 2025 as the edtech giant strengthens its footprint across the region.

    Gupta’s move to Coursera comes after a prolific career spanning over two decades, including a 10-year stint at Linkedin, where he most recently served as country manager for India. Under his leadership, Linkedin’s India user base crossed 105 million, making it the platform’s fastest-growing region globally. He also championed vernacular accessibility, launching features in Hindi to widen the platform’s appeal.

    Prior to Linkedin, Gupta held senior leadership roles at Google, Cognizant, Covansys, and Infosys, focusing on sales, operations, and strategic partnerships across North America and India. Most recently, he served as Operating Partner at Avataar Venture Partners, advising portfolio companies on scaling sustainably and navigating IPO-readiness.

    Armed with degrees from IIT-BHU (Chemical Engineering) and IIM Lucknow (PGDM in Finance & Marketing), Gupta brings a rare blend of technical rigour and market acumen. At Coursera, he’s expected to drive growth, forge regional alliances, and champion lifelong learning across India and the Asia Pacific, a market witnessing a sharp surge in demand for upskilling and remote education.

    Commenting on his new role, Gupta has emphasised the need for “technology that respects intelligence and drives real impact”, signalling a shift from platform-centric models to learner-first strategies in edtech.

    With education becoming the next frontier of digital disruption, Coursera has made a strategic bet on a leader who knows how to scale with purpose. From connecting professionals on Linkedin to helping them upskill on Coursera, Gupta’s journey is now a full circle in empowerment.

  • Britannia and NIC churn out a Bourbon blizzard with new chocolatey ice cream collab

    Britannia and NIC churn out a Bourbon blizzard with new chocolatey ice cream collab

    MUMBAI: In a decadent twist that’s sure to delight chocolate lovers, Britannia Industries and Walko Food’s NIC Ice Creams have teamed up to launch the NIC Bourbon Ice Cream- a rich, creamy tribute to the classic Britannia Bourbon biscuit.

    This chilled indulgence blends NIC’s velvety chocolate ice cream with crushed Bourbon biscuit crumbs, delivering the best of both worlds in one scoop. It’s a nostalgic nod wrapped in a dessert format Gen Z and millennials will likely devour with zero diplomacy required.

    The launch follows the success of the Britannia Winkin’ Cow Bourbon Shake in 2024, as Britannia continues to stretch the boundaries of its most beloved biscuit brand. Now fans can crunch, sip, or scoop their favourite chocolate flavour in multiple formats including the 28,000+ Bourbon-inspired recipes live on BourbonIt.in.

    The collaboration gets an extra swirl of fun from a campaign by The Womb, set in a spoofed-up global diplomatic summit. The film shows a perplexed Indian ambassador stuck between choosing chocolate biscuit or chocolate ice cream until NIC Bourbon Ice Cream swoops in with the obvious solution: have both.’

    Britannia Industries general manager – marketing, Siddharth Gupta said, “Britannia Bourbon has always held a special place in the hearts of our consumers, and we’re excited to offer them yet another way to enjoy this iconic flavor. NIC Bourbon Ice Cream is our way of celebrating the love that Bourbon fans have shared with us over the years, and we’re thrilled to bring this beloved biscuit into a new, delicious format. We’re proud to partner with NIC Ice Creams to create this delightful, indulgent treat.”

    Walko Food Company Pvt. Ltd. director Raj Bhandari said, “NIC has always been committed to delighting our customers with premium ice creams, inspired by a world of flavors — from fresh fruits and rich chocolate to globally inspired creations and timeless Indian dessert classics. We felt Britannia Bourbon & NIC fans deserve a treat, which led to the genesis of this limited-edition flavour in a special collaboration with Britannia Bourbon – delicious Britannia Bourbon chunks in rich chocolate ice cream – A must-have if you love Britannia Bourbon and you love NIC ice creams!

    The Womb CCO Suyash Khabya said, ”Britannia Bourbon is the OG chocolate biscuit. Everything we do on the brand has to land the product truth of ‘chocolate chocolate chocolate’. And now we have one more chocolate – NIC Chocolate ice cream…whatte fun! Continuing with the earlier brand set-up, we’ve woven an interesting story of how the world comes together when something so chocolatey is launched. The world needs more chocolate than animosity. A very simple idea with a context makes it an interesting watch.”

    Now available pan-India across 100+ cities via Swiggy, Zomato, Blinkit, Instamart, Zepto, and at NIC Ice Cream parlours, the new flavour is fast becoming a go-to for sweet-toothed fans and loyal Bourbon lovers alike.

    Because when a biscuit meets ice cream, neutrality isn’t an option.

  • Oppo teams up with Croma to dial up Reno14 Series 5G launch across India

    Oppo teams up with Croma to dial up Reno14 Series 5G launch across India

    MUMBAI: Oppo has joined forces with electronics retail giant Croma to launch the sleek new Reno14 Series 5G smartphones in India, starting at Rs 37,999. The co-branded rollout combines Oppo’s cutting-edge mobile tech with Croma’s 560+ store network across 200 cities, giving shoppers a rare hands-on peek before they hit “buy”.

    The phones, unveiled at a packed live event at Vegas Mall, Dwarka, come loaded with pro-grade features: a 50MP 3.5x telephoto lens, Ultra-Clear 4K HDR video at 60fps, and the all-new AI Editor 2.0, making it a content creator’s dream companion.

    Guests at the launch were treated to interactive experience zones that brought the phone’s features to life, from simulated travel shoots to cinematic content setups. Influencers and tech reviewers gave their verdicts live, praising the device for its lightweight build, travel-ready design, and top-tier camera setup.

    Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8450 chip, the Reno14 Series 5G packs performance and polish into earthy-toned frames – Forest Green, Pearl White, and Titanium Grey, blending sleek style with nature-inspired charm.

    With exclusive early access and launch offers available in-store, OPPO and Croma’s collab is a retail masterstroke serving experience, excitement, and edge-to-edge tech on one curated shelf.

  • Nivea India names Sreerangarajan Srinivasan as production centre head

    Nivea India names Sreerangarajan Srinivasan as production centre head

    MUMBAI: Nivea India Pvt Ltd, the Indian arm of German skincare giant Beiersdorf, has appointed Sreerangarajan Srinivasan as production centre director for its manufacturing operations in Sanand, Gujarat, effective 1 July 2025.

    Previously heading logistics and customer service at Nivea India, Srinivasan brings deep expertise in manufacturing, planning, procurement and digital transformation. In his new role, he will oversee end-to-end operations at the company’s flagship factory, with a focus on scaling production, advancing sustainability goals, and strengthening safety and future-readiness.

    The appointment comes as the Sanand plant clocks a major milestone- one billion units produced since operations began just seven years ago. Dubbed a cornerstone of Beiersdorf’s global supply chain, the facility has rapidly scaled up since 2018, undergoing multiple expansions and embracing automation and digitalisation to meet rising demand across India.

    Nivea India Pvt. Ltd. managing director Geetika Mehta shared, “Sreerangarajan’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for our operations in India. His deep understanding of supply chain dynamics and passion for building high-performing teams will be instrumental in taking our manufacturing excellence to the next level. Additionally, the recent milestone of producing our 1 billionth unit at the Sanand facility is a proud moment for all of us – and a reflection of what our teams can achieve with the right leadership, vision, and commitment to excellence. What makes this truly special is that Sreerangarajan’s journey is a strong example of how we continue to grow and promote talent from within the organization – a value we deeply believe in at NIVEA.”

    Commenting on his appointment, Sreerangarajan said, “This move is both a privilege and a responsibility- to lead a site that lies at the heart of our supply chain ambitions. The recent milestone of producing our 1 billionth unit makes this moment even more special and reinforces the team’s dedication and the site’s growing impact. I’m excited to work with our passionate teams to shape the next chapter of sustainable growth and meaningful impact for Beiersdorf in India.

    With Srinivasan at the helm, the factory is expected to continue its trajectory of growth and innovation, delivering smooth operations for a brand known for keeping things soft.

  • Dentsu Creative welcomes back Sheeraj Sengupta as VP

    Dentsu Creative welcomes back Sheeraj Sengupta as VP

    MUMBAI: Sheeraj Sengupta is back where the ideas fly fast. He’s been appointed vice president at Dentsu Creative India, with previous stints at Dentsu Impact Pvt Ltd and JWT.

    Known for his agility, strategic flair, and knack for brand building, Sengupta has carved a name for himself in the world of marketing, advertising and consumer behaviour. Add to that a strong instinct for crisis management and creative problem-solving, and you’ve got a VP who doesn’t just thrive on deadlines, he delivers under pressure.

    A diploma holder in marketing from the Delhi School of Communication, Sengupta has built a reputation for adaptability and collaboration, bridging the gap between clients, colleagues, and partners with equal finesse.

    In his new avatar at Dentsu Creative, Sengupta is expected to steer strategic brand narratives while riding the ever-changing wave of consumer dynamics. The agency just added another sharp mind to its war room.
     

  • Rohan Prashar bubbles up to senior director, digital lead at Coca-Cola India

    Rohan Prashar bubbles up to senior director, digital lead at Coca-Cola India

    MUMBAI: Rohan Prashar has been elevated to senior director, digital lead at The Coca-Cola Company India, marking a significant new chapter in his three-year journey with the beverage giant.

    Having joined Coca-Cola in 2022, Prashar reflected on his early days with a nod to the brand’s ethos: “Joining Coke was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made — real magic, indeed.”

    In his new role, Prashar will continue to shape Coca-Cola’s digital transformation narrative, bringing nearly two decades of experience across media, product management, corporate branding and communications.

    He credited leaders like Arnab Roy, Sumeli Chatterjee, Greishma Singh, and Shantanu Gangane for their vision and mentorship, and gave a shout-out to his core team — including Akhtar Ali Anjum, Joy Pal, Srijan Virmani, Sharanya Swain, Venkat Prasun, and Shruti Soni, along with agency partner WPP, calling them “the best team I could ever ask for.”

    Before Coca-Cola, Prashar spent a decade at Asian Paints, following stints at Madison World and the Goa Institute of Management (GIM). With experience across media agencies, networks, and brand custodians, he believes strongly in the changing dynamics of media consumption and its shift towards user empowerment.

    Beyond the boardroom, he frequently shares his insights on integrated marketing communications and media planning with B-school students, championing the evolving role of MBAs in creative industries.

    From paint to pop, Prashar continues to fizz with purpose, ready to lead digital strategy with the same energy as his first day at Coke.