ITV

Category: MAM

  • Bata laces up for growth with Amit Aggarwal as CFO & whole-time director

    Bata laces up for growth with Amit Aggarwal as CFO & whole-time director

    MUMBAI: Bata India is tightening its financial game with the appointment of Amit Aggarwal as its Whole-Time director and chief financial officer. Armed with over two decades of experience in financial management, business strategy, and digital transformation, Aggarwal brings a wealth of expertise from leadership stints at Sugar Cosmetics, Marico, Nestlé India, and PwC.

    A chartered accountant with an advanced management certification from IIM Kolkata, Aggarwal has built a career on driving profitability, risk mitigation, and governance. His tenure as CFO at Sugar Cosmetics saw him navigating a fast-growing D2C brand, while his time at Marico and Nestlé honed his skills in financial strategy and process optimisation.

    Bata India, a household name in footwear, is expected to benefit from Aggarwal’s deep understanding of consumer-driven businesses. With a focus on accelerating growth, enhancing financial efficiencies, and leveraging digital innovation, his leadership marks a significant step in the company’s strategic evolution.

  • Sudeep Subash named CEO of Big Bang Social

    Sudeep Subash named CEO of Big Bang Social

    MUMBAI: The creator economy in India has a new captain, and he’s no stranger to the high seas of digital marketing. Sudeep Subash has been appointed as the CEO of Big Bang Social, the country’s leading creator economy platform. But wait, there’s more! He will also continue steering the revenue juggernaut at Collective Artists Network as its chief revenue officer. That’s right—two titles, one powerhouse leader, and a whole lot of responsibility. No pressure, Sudeep!

    Collective Artists Network, the mothership behind Big Bang Social, made the announcement on 3 March 2024, marking a significant leadership move in the world of influencer marketing and content-driven commerce. Known for his razor-sharp revenue strategies and uncanny ability to make brand-creator collaborations flourish, Subash is all set to shake things up in a market that is already buzzing with potential.

    “Sudeep is one of those rare leaders who invests deeply in his teams,” said Collective Artists Network founder & group CEO Vijay Subramaniam. “His knack for scaling businesses, igniting innovation, and fostering collaboration makes him the perfect candidate to propel Big Bang Social to new heights. As brands and advertisers increasingly turn to creators for meaningful collaborations, his vision will be key in expanding our influence and unlocking fresh opportunities in the creator economy.”

    With a track record that speaks for itself, Subash isn’t just taking on this role for the business cards (though, let’s be honest, having two fancy job titles is a flex). He’s here to supercharge Big Bang Social’s growth by driving data-backed strategies, deepening brand partnerships, and delivering breakthrough influencer campaigns.

    “I am excited to take on this new challenge and further build on the incredible foundation of Big Bang Social,” said Subash, now Big Bang Social CEO and Collective Artists Network CRO. “We are at a pivotal moment where content, culture, and commerce are converging like never before. I look forward to working with our teams, creators, and brand partners to drive meaningful growth and shape the future of this dynamic ecosystem.”

    Under Subash’s leadership, Big Bang Social is expected to amplify its impact by fine-tuning brand-creator collaborations, harnessing data-driven insights, and crafting innovative campaigns that define the next frontier of influencer marketing. The Indian creator economy is growing at an explosive pace, and with Subash at the helm, it looks like things are about to get even bigger.

  • Prashant Vyas joins Socheers as head of people growth & culture

    Prashant Vyas joins Socheers as head of people growth & culture

    Mumbai: Socheers has appointed Prashant Vyas as its new head of people growth & culture, bringing extensive expertise in human resources, talent management, and employee engagement. With over a decade of experience, he has been instrumental in shaping workplace cultures and implementing people-centric policies across many organisations.

    Before joining Socheers, Vyas led HR functions at The Minimalist, Famous Innovations, Wunderman Thompson South Asia, and Hungama Digital Services, driving talent acquisition, workforce planning, and employee engagement.

    Holding a master’s degree in human resources research & development from K J Somaiya Institute of Management, he combines academic insight with industry experience to foster a thriving work environment. At Socheers, he will focus on aligning HR strategies with business objectives, enhancing employee well-being, and promoting a culture of innovation and inclusivity. 

  • GCPL Indonesia CEO Rajesh Sethuraman takes on additional role as global business transformation & IT head

    GCPL Indonesia CEO Rajesh Sethuraman takes on additional role as global business transformation & IT head

    MUMBAI: Some executives climb the corporate ladder-Rajesh Sethuraman seems to be sprinting up it. The CEO of Godrej Consumer Products Limited (GCPL) Indonesia has now added another powerful title to his arsenal: Global business transformation and IT head. It’s a double act that promises to steer the multinational consumer goods giant into its next phase of innovation and digital excellence.

    Announcing his expanded role on Linkedin, Sethuraman shared, “I’m happy to share that besides being CEO Indonesia, I also take on the additional responsibility of global business transformation and IT head at Godrej Consumer Products Limited!”

    Sethuraman’s career reads like a corporate action thriller—each role a new challenge, each promotion another power move. He kicked off his career at Heinz India Limited, spent years crafting brand strategies at Hindustan Unilever, and honed his leadership across multiple continents at Unilever south Africa and Unilever Africa. From shaping Africa’s laundry strategy to spearheading homecare divisions, his trajectory was marked by sharp decision-making and market disruption.

    At Hindustan Unilever, he orchestrated large-scale integrated operations, rewiring business processes for a superior customer experience. Then came his Indonesian chapter at Godrej, where he transformed the entity into a formidable FMCG force.

    Godrej Consumer Products has consistently positioned itself at the forefront of consumer goods innovation. With Sethuraman’s expanded leadership, the brand signals a stronger commitment to efficiency, digital transformation, and unlocking new opportunities across international markets.

    Now, with his added global responsibilities, he’s not just leading—he’s redefining the future of business transformation and IT for GCPL. With this expanded mandate, Sethuraman is expected to merge operational efficiency with tech-driven transformation, pioneering innovations that don’t just boost the bottom line but reshape the industry’s playing field.

  • Hiveminds takes the wheel for Oben Electric’s performance marketing drive

    Hiveminds takes the wheel for Oben Electric’s performance marketing drive

    MUMBAI: The electric revolution just got a fresh jolt, and this time, it’s in marketing. Madison World unit, Hiveminds has taken the driver’s seat in Oben Electric’s performance marketing, ensuring this fast-growing electric two-wheeler brand zooms past the competition. This partnership isn’t just about speed—it’s about precision, leveraging cutting-edge digital strategies to plug Oben Electric directly into the hearts (and wallets) of eco-conscious consumers. Hiveminds will spearhead Oben’s digital marketing, media investments, and conversion strategies across key platforms, ensuring the brand reaches the right audience at the right time.

    As India’s electric vehicle (EV) market revs up, Oben Electric is shifting gears to strengthen its retail footprint and attract a new wave of Gen Z and digital-first customers. With the demand for sustainable mobility soaring, the company is leveraging cutting-edge digital strategies to convert interest into sales.

    Hiveminds founder & CEO Jyothirmayee JT expressed excitement about the collaboration, “EV is one of the most exciting industries right now. I am delighted that we’re getting the opportunity to work with an upcoming brand that is catering to the Gen Z and digital-first customers who are more aware today. The industry now needs a highly data-led approach to customer acquisition and media deployment. With our expertise and proprietary tools, we are sure to deliver business growth through this collaboration.”

    On the other side of the partnership, Oben Electric’s director of marketing Saurav Arora highlighted the significance of performance marketing in their expansion strategy, “As we scale operations, performance marketing is crucial for accelerating demand and optimising conversions. Hiveminds’ expertise in performance marketing will help us maximise digital impact and drive measurable business growth. We are confident this partnership will strengthen our growth journey.”

    Backed by Madison World, which served 500 advertisers last year, Hiveminds continues to push the boundaries of digital marketing, blending proprietary tools, AI-driven insights, and data analytics to drive measurable success. With this latest partnership, Hiveminds is set to give Oben Electric a turbocharged advantage in India’s evolving EV landscape.

  • Paytm to provide RBL & its partners digital payment solutions

    Paytm to provide RBL & its partners digital payment solutions

    MUMBAI: Indian fintech giant Paytm has struck a partnership with RBL Bank to provide its signature Soundbox devices and card machines to the bank’s merchant partners, the companies announced today.

    The collaboration aims to boost digital payment adoption across RBL Bank’s merchant network by leveraging Paytm’s technology infrastructure. Merchants will gain access to the Paytm for Business dashboard, enabling real-time transaction monitoring and instant settlement services.

    Paytm’s payment solutions support multiple transaction methods, including UPI, RuPay credit card on UPI, UPI Lite, and traditional debit and credit cards. The systems also offer EMI options from leading banks, providing flexibility for both merchants and customers.

    The company’s Soundbox devices, which revolutionised in-store digital payments with instant audio confirmations, have been expanded to include NFC Card Soundbox technology. This allows customers to make ‘Tap and Pay’ transactions at small shops and supports payments from international tourists using global cards.
    “Our goal is to simplify payments for merchants by providing cutting-edge solutions that enhance efficiency and trust,” said Paytm chief business officer for offline payments Ripunjai Gaur.

    RBL Bank head of branch banking and retail liabilities Narendra Agrawal added: “This partnership aligns with our vision of enabling seamless, secure, and efficient transactions. We are committed to supporting businesses in their digital transformation journey.”

    Paytm has been expanding its service offerings with user-centric innovations, including UPI Lite for small-value transactions and international UPI payments in countries where UPI is accepted, such as the UAE, Singapore, France, and several neighbouring nations.

  • Anymind Group unlocks premium Youtube ads, boosting creator earnings

    Anymind Group unlocks premium Youtube ads, boosting creator earnings

    MUMBAI: If there’s one thing advertisers crave, it’s control. And if there’s one thing content creators love, it’s higher earnings. Enter Anymind Group’s latest power move—becoming a Youtube Partner Sales program partner. The announcement today opens up a lucrative advertising frontier, offering brands premium reserved ad inventory across Anymind’s network of Youtube creators.

    Through the Anymind Youtube Reserved Ads program, advertisers can now secure pre-roll, mid-roll, and post-roll ad placements on content from affiliated creators. This means programmatic guaranteed ad buys and ‘100 per cent share of voice reservations’, where a single advertiser monopolises all ad placements on a creator’s video views.

    Unlike auctioned inventory on Display & Video 360, these reservations offer higher priority, ensuring advertisers gain deeper access to premium, high-impact placements. Anymind’s robust local networks—including web and app publishers—alongside its expansive creator partnerships, create an unparalleled advertising ecosystem.

    It’s not just advertisers getting a sweet deal. Affiliated creators benefit from increased earnings as Anymind and Google unlock a greater share of reserved advertising. This means creators can supplement their traditional Adsense revenue with more premium advertisers and higher-demand placements.

    To make life even easier for advertisers, Anymind is launching interest-specific advertising packages across entertainment, sports, lifestyle, and news. This move provides greater targeting precision, ensuring ads reach the right audience at the right time.

    Whether a creator has a niche following or a subscriber base in the tens of millions, Anymind’s approach enhances advertising efficiency while delivering valuable insights to brands looking to engage hyper-relevant audiences.

    Anymind isn’t stopping with Youtube. Online publishers using Anymanager now have a new AI-driven revenue stream. A recently launched feature enables publishers to auto-generate short-form videos from published articles, further expanding their monetisation options.

    “True to our philosophy of ‘Growth for Everyone’, this program undoubtedly benefits our advertisers, creators and even publishers by unlocking more powerful outcomes through collaboration with us. Due to our unique business model, we’re one of the few companies that can provide deep accessibility into the advertising ecosystem,” said Anymind Group MD – creator growth Punsak Limvatanayingyong.

    Adding to this, Anymind Group India/MENA MD and performance business, Siddharth Kelkar stated, “This partnership comes at a right time as we have recently launched a new feature on AnyManager that enables publishers to automatically create short-form videos from published articles with the use of AI. As part of our growth plans this year, we can now provide direct access to a larger scale of video ad inventory across APAC and the Middle East to our clients, including our partnered creators on Youtube.”

    As of November 2024, Anymind Group collaborates with over 2,700 creators and 1,700 online publishers across APAC and globally. With this latest initiative, advertisers, creators, and publishers alike are set to benefit from a smarter, more efficient advertising ecosystem.

  • Detective Dotson cracks the big screen case at Animela 2025

    Detective Dotson cracks the big screen case at Animela 2025

    MUMBAI: Mumbai is about to witness a thrilling cinematic investigation as Detective Dotson: The Movie, the animated companion to the highly anticipated cosy mystery game Detective Dotson makes its grand premiere at AniMela 2025. Marking a first-of-its-kind moment, the film will be the inaugural video game adaptation to be showcased at India’s International Animation, VFX, Gaming, Comics & XR Festival.

    The screening is set for March 8, 2025, at 6 pm at P.C. Saxena Lecture Theatre, IDC, IIT Mumbai campus. Following the premiere, Masala Games’ CEO and co-founder, Shalin Shodhan, will take centre stage for an exclusive Q&A session, offering insights into the game’s world and its transition into film.

    Crafted in Unreal Engine 5, Detective Dotson: The Movie takes audiences deep into the gripping tale of Dotson, an amateur detective grappling with personal loss while uncovering a sinister corporate conspiracy, a mysterious assassin, and a hidden family truth. As chaos unfolds amidst a high-stakes cricket match, Dotson must piece together clues before catastrophe strikes.

    Bringing a fresh visual identity, the film blends stylised 2D-meets-3D animation, mirroring the game’s modern Indian aesthetic. The experience is further enriched by an evocative original soundtrack created in collaboration with Nikhil Rao of Indian Ocean, pioneers of Indian rock.

    “This film offers an in-depth look into Detective Dotson’s world, setting the stage for the game’s official launch on April 3,” said Shodhan. “AniMela is the perfect platform to debut this project, celebrating the confluence of gaming and cinema.”

    AniMela’s artistic director, Anne Doshi stated, “We are thrilled to feature Detective Dotson: The Movie as the first-ever game-to-movie adaptation at the festival. It exemplifies the kind of passion projects that showcase India’s growing influence in the gaming and animation industry.”

    The film serves as a prequel to Detective Dotson, the mystery-adventure game that picks up where the movie leaves off. Set in a vividly realised contemporary India, the game puts players in the role of Dotson, challenging them to solve puzzles, crack cases, and uncover the hidden truths lurking beneath the surface.

    As AniMela 2025 returns to Mumbai for its second year from 7-9 March at IDC, IIT Bombay, Detective Dotson: The Movie promises to be a standout feature, merging gripping storytelling with cutting-edge animation and gaming. Whether you’re a film buff, a gaming enthusiast, or a mystery lover, Dotson’s world is one you won’t want to miss.

  • Hero Motocorp races ahead with 3.88 lakh dispatches in February 2025

    Hero Motocorp races ahead with 3.88 lakh dispatches in February 2025

    MUMBAI: Hero Motocorp, the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters, kept the throttle open in February 2025, dispatching 3.88 lakh units. While domestic sales stood at 3,57,296 units, the company also saw a stellar 33 per cent growth in global sales, crossing the 30,000-unit mark for the third consecutive month.

    Hero Motocorp reported 3,88,068 total dispatches in February 2025, with 3,57,296 units sold in the domestic market. Motorcycles remained the dominant category, contributing 3,52,312 units, while scooters accounted for 35,756 units. Year-to-date (YTD) figures saw a total of 53,49,583 units dispatched in FY25, up from 51,31,040 in FY24. Exports surged with 30,772 units shipped in February 2025, marking a significant increase from 23,153 units in February 2024, bringing YTD exports to 2,47,911 units compared to 1,69,765 in the previous fiscal year.

    Hero Motocorp’s electric vehicle brand, Vida, is riding a strong wave of popularity, dispatching 6,200 units in February. The growing success of the Vida V2 range reinforces the brand’s positioning as an aspirational yet accessible electric mobility solution.

    With the onset of the marriage season and new product launches, Hero Motocorp anticipates stronger momentum in the coming months. Strengthening its 125cc scooter lineup, the company has begun deliveries of the Destini 125, with Xoom 125 dispatches set to begin soon.

    Further expanding its premium retail footprint, over 64 ‘Premia’ dealerships now offer a seamless buying experience for Hero Motocorp, VIDA, and Harley-Davidson products all under one roof.

    Beyond sales figures, Hero Motocorp is accelerating skill development for women in the automotive sector. In collaboration with the Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC), the company has launched an upskilling initiative to train 20,000 women over the next 15 months in key automotive sales and service roles.

    Hero MotoSports Team Rally made its mark at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, with Nacho Cornejo securing an impressive 6th position. Cornejo showcased unwavering consistency, finishing in the top 10 in every stage and bagging two stage podiums.