Category: People

Mumbai: QYOU Media Inc., (TSXV:QYOU OTCQB:QYOUF) a company operating in India and the United States producing and distributing content created by social media stars and digital content creators, has announced that Indian digital leader and strategist, Raj Mishra, has been added as a Nominee to join the Board of Directors of QYOU Media at the company’s shareholder meeting slated for 17 July 2023. In addition, Mishra will immediately begin an assignment to provide strategic advisory services to the company, principally surrounding new product launches into the direct-to-consumer market in India.

Mishra has established a distinguished track record of accomplishments and success driving businesses in India to profitability and exponential growth. An IMT alumni, the former Country Head at musical.ly, TikTok & Triller enjoys combining technology and trends to help curate substantial value propositions for users. He also worked with the core Bytedance team (owners of TikTok) and spearheaded strategy for their other suite of products and apps in India.

In his earlier role as Country Manager at TikTok India (erstwhile Musical.ly), Mishra was instrumental in driving growth for ByteDance in India by creating the local team, liaising with business partners & the creator community in India, and identifying and incubating talent with the potential to help the company gain popularity on the app. Under his leadership, Musical.ly became the most downloaded app on both Android and iOS. Mishra also spearheaded the transition from musical.ly to TikTok and was responsible for the end-to-end rebranding process after the acquisition in 2017. In 2019, he decided to take up a new challenge within Bytedance and was spearheading strategy for one of their newly launched suite of products, Helo.

QYOU Media CEO & co-founder Curt Marvis commented, “Raj is a unique and special leader and we are thrilled to have him join our team at QYOU Media. He has proven his ability to establish process-driven methodologies that drive extraordinary user engagement and financial success. TikTok was the fastest-growing app in the history of India super apps and we welcome his help as we roll out our direct-to-consumer businesses. In addition, he possesses the creativity, relationships, and drive that we believe can provide a real boost to our combined business efforts in India. The QYOU Media board and all management across our various properties in broadcast, connected TV, influencer marketing, and gaming look to leverage his skills to help grow our entire India operations further.” 

Mishra added, “It has been exciting to see and learn more about the growing potential of the QYOU slate of companies and products that have come into the market in less than three years. It is clearly now time to turn those jets on even higher and I could not be more excited to add my experience and passion for growth and profit to the mix. I look forward to immediately jumping in to provide strategic help to the teams here in India while helping the distinguished board of QYOU Media further recognize and understand the potential for growth that we all know is possible in India in the years ahead.”

Mumbai: Deshpande Startups, India’s largest business incubator, has appointed Dr Karthik Sankaran as the new chief executive officer. With an impressive background in the semiconductor and software industry, Dr Sankaran brings extensive leadership experience and a proven track record of driving innovation. In his new role, he will be leading all four programmes of Deshpande Startups, and spearhead collaboration efforts between the programmes and industries alongside taking care of the day-to-day responsibilities as the CEO.

He has joined Deshpande Startups at a time when the company is rapidly expanding its impact across the Indian startup ecosystem through its state-of-the-art startup incubator at Hubbali in Karnataka. It is also undertaking a multitude of programmes aimed at various aspects of entrepreneurship, startup growth, knowledge-sharing and ESG initiatives.

Speaking about the appointment, Deshpande Foundation CEO Anand Bariya said, “We are thrilled to welcome Dr Karthik Sankaran as the CEO of Deshpande Startups. His remarkable experience and leadership in the semiconductor and software industry, coupled with his entrepreneurial background, will be invaluable in guiding our startup programs and strengthening our ties with industries. As we endeavour to contribute to economic and social growth in India by providing incubator support, mentoring and industry guidance to startups, Dr Karthik’s expertise is going to add immense value to our efforts. I wish him all the best in his new endeavour.

Adding further, Deshpande Startups CEO Dr Karthik Sankaran said, “I have always advocated the usage of advanced technologies to solve challenges and achieve social and business objectives. Having been associated with a diversity of companies, over the last three decades, I have seen technology’s impact first-hand. I look forward to working with the talented teams at Deshpande Startups and the startup community to drive meaningful impact and help startups scale and succeed.”

A prominent figure in the software and semiconductor industries in India, Dr Karthik has accumulated over 30 years of experience in the field. Notably, he made significant contributions during his extensive 18-year tenure at Analog Devices, Bangalore, where he served in several executive positions. His leadership was instrumental in establishing a diverse semiconductor product development team in Bangalore, renowned for delivering innovative IC products that catered to the global market. He has also played key roles during his time at ATI Motors. He also has a successful entrepreneurial background, having co-founded Black Lotus Technologies and spearheaded the development of the Black Lotus mobile app for mental well-being.

Possessing an impressive educational background, Dr Sankaran holds an M.S degree, and PhD in Computer Engineering from the University of Texas, Austin, USA, and has completed his engineering (BE in Electronics Engineering) from the PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore. He is a recipient of the JN Tata Endowment for the Higher Education of Indians, a prestigious scholarship for meritorious Indian students to study abroad.

Mumbai: EaseMyTrip.com, one of India’s largest online travel tech platforms, has elevated Nutan Gupta as its chief operating officer (COO). In her new role, she will be overseeing key functional areas such as business strategy and development, operations and supplier-building initiatives for the company. 

Gupta joined EaseMyTrip in 2018 as president – alliance and during her tenure, she was the integral part, contributing towards building the brand and supplier relationship. Prior to this, Gupta has worked with various renowned firms helping them achieve their business goals.

She is a professional bringing over 30 years of experience in the aviation, travel and tourism industries, wherein she has held multifaceted portfolios in leadership roles, both in airlines and tour companies. She is well recognised for her spirit of never giving up, strong will power and hard work. Gupta has handled diverse roles in key areas of sales and marketing, market research and business development, revenue management, international relations and brand building. Her core expertise lies in devising and successfully implementing business strategies for seamless operations for startups in the aviation sector and various tour companies. Additionally, Gupta was closely involved in foundation building, forward planning, financial strategy and conceptualisation, and the launch of marketing campaigns for companies.

Gupta said, “EaseMyTrip’s journey has been inspiring. In a short span, the company has established itself as a successful brand in the travel and tourism industry. It is working with an innovative business model and is doing all it takes to fulfill its customers’ evolving demands. It’s an honour to be associated with such a progressive and nurturing company and I am excited as I adorn the new role of a COO. With my industry expertise and the team’s passion and skillsets, we will together take the brand to greater heights.”

EaseMyTrip co-founder Rikant Pittie said, “Nutan Gupta has been associated with us for over five years now and has contributed significantly to the brand’s growth with her business acumen and impeccable leadership. We are delighted as she takes over the new role as the COO of the company and extend our best wishes and support. We are confident that she will continue to drive the company’s growth and help EaseMyTrip reach the zenith. With her innovative mindset, creative outlook and in-depth understanding of the industry, we intend to etch a promising future for the company. We strongly believe that Mrs Gupta’s vast experience, business insight, industry relationships will be a guiding force for EaseMyTrip.”

Mumbai: Megalodon, a pioneering AI-first marketing company, proudly announces the addition of renowned Indian AI designer Sahid Sk as co-founder. With his exceptional talent for creating viral AI creatives, Sahid Sk has become one of the most sought-after artists for AI branding in India. His expertise and vision will empower Megalodon’s design and creative team to push the boundaries of innovation and elevate brand style and marketing to new heights.

Sahid Sk’s extraordinary designs have captivated audiences and garnered widespread recognition across top Indian media houses. His remarkable ability to infuse creativity into AI-powered campaigns has earned him accolades from numerous brands.

Now, as co-founder, Megalodon, Sahid Sk is poised to revolutionise the field of AI marketing and lead the company’s pursuit of excellence in design.

He says, “There is a world full of possibilities out there yet to be explored. In a few months we have ourselves witnessed the change in reception of ideas through AI tools and adaption of the same in various industries. At Megalodon, we welcome every brand that wants to be iconic and the best.”

“When it comes to enhancing brand style and marketing strategies, creative elements play a crucial role. That is precisely where Megalodon, an AI-first marketing company, excels,” says Megalodon director Rashi Agarwal.

“We are currently witnessing the next revolution, and brands that fail to embrace AI integration will undoubtedly miss the bus, just as many did when digital media emerged a decade ago. We take immense pride in being the first marketing company in India that places a primary focus on AI creativity.”

Mumbai: Saints Art, one of India’s PR & Strategic Communication agencies, has appointed veteran advertising and marketing expert Harbinder Singh as its vice president for marketing and strategy. In his new role at Saints Art, Singh will lead the agency’s marketing & outreach campaigns while strategizing process optimization for maximal profitability, supporting business partnerships, and strengthening operational efficiency.

Welcoming the seasoned creative marketer on board, Saints Art co-founder & director Puneet Sharma said, “We are glad to get Harbinder on board, for he brings on the table an immensely rich experience of more than 3 decades and a deep understanding of diverse markets. We are confident that he will help us attain our growth objectives while delivering excellent results in terms of marketing strategies and positioning.”

“Saints Art has over the years evolved as one of India’s most reputed PR agencies, handling PR mandates and procuring due share of voice for multiple leading brands across varied industries and domains. It gives me immense pleasure to join the team, and look forward to working with all stakeholders to position our services as a leader in the industry,” said Harbinder Singh on his new role.

Singh is an exceptionally creative expert with a vast experience of over 30 years across advertising, marketing and brand building. Alumnus of the country’s most prestigious educational institutions – IIM-Lucknow and IIM-Bangalore – Harbinder has worked for a slew of national as well as global brands, including Nestle, Citibank, ITC Hotels, Adidas etc. He has also played a pivotal role in fostering the growth and positioning of real estate entity Eldeco where he worked for nearly 16 years.

Saints Art is a strategic PR firm that has been steering PR mandates for businesses across diverse industries, such as FMCG, Entertainment, F&B, Alcobev, Fintechs, Microfinance, IT and Lifestyle. Over the past 15 years, the company has consulted over 500 national as well as international brands & individuals.

Mumbai: TPV Technology, one of the world’s leading monitor and LCD TV manufacturers has announced the appointment of Hrishitaa Chopra as the new head of marketing for Philips TVs, audio, monitors & signage and AOC monitors in India. With an impressive track record as a marketing professional, she comes with over 12 years of cross-functional experience in the smartphones, consumer durables & electronics sectors.  

Prior to joining TPV Technology, Hrishitaa was associated with vivo India as the go-to-market lead for the brand’s premium smartphone range. She was responsible for setting up the premium segment and introduced vivo India’s first premium smartphone – X50 Series in the market. Before joining vivo India, Hrishitaa was leading the go-to-market strategy for Samsung Mobile’s flagship smartphones. Beyond the smartphone category, she has also been associated with leading consumer durables & electronics brands such as Whirlpool Corporation, as lead category marketing for kitchen appliances and spearheaded the marketing efforts for the launch of the new brand, KitchenAid for the Indian market. She was also associated with LG prior to that.

At TPV Technology, Hrishitaa now steps into a pivotal role to lead marketing across the brand, product categories as well as online & offline channels. She will be responsible for devising and executing strategic marketing plans to create brand awareness, achieve sales targets and expand the customer base in India. 

Expressing her enthusiasm for the new role, TPV Technology marketing head Hrishitaa Chopra said, “I am glad to be a part of a distinguished company like TPV Technology. With my diverse experience across brand, product, digital, and category marketing across the consumer durables and electronics industry, I am excited about the opportunity to craft strategic and impactful campaigns across the brand and its product portfolio to fuel the growth of the entire business. We look forward to using new age media and trends and developing compelling PR campaigns that will help the brand scale to newer heights.”

Speaking on the appointment, TPV Technology country head- India Atul Jasra said, “We are ecstatic to welcome Hrishitaa to our organization. Her extensive experience, coupled with deep understanding and insights into the Indian market will undoubtedly help in expanding our footprint across the country. We look forward to collaborating with her as she brings a fresh perspective to our business, while we continue to redefine the consumer tech space through our innovative and unique technologies.”

Hrishitaa Chopra is a seasoned marketing leader with a distinguished MBA in marketing from the University of South Australia and IBS Gurugram. In addition to her professional endeavours, Hrishitaa is a passionate traveler and content creator on Instagram, with an engaged community of more than 83K followers.

Mumbai: Wunderman Thompson South Asia has announced that Vijay Jacob has been elevated to managing partner, East and South, Wunderman Thompson India. Prior to taking on his new role, Vijay was senior vice president & managing partner, Wunderman Thompson Kolkata.

With a proven track record of handling key businesses and having worked  extensively in the South, that includes leadership roles in agencies in Bangalore and Chennai, and partnering leading clients such as Britannia, ITC Foods, 3M, UB, TVS Motors and extensive experience in FMCG sales & marketing experience with Eveready, Vijay’s knowledge and understanding of the South market will give an  impetus to Wunderman Thompson India’s growth strategy in the South. 

Commenting on Vijay’s new appointment, Wunderman Thompson South Asia CEO Shams Jasani commented, “The South market is very important to us, and Vijay’s appointment comes at a time when we want to spearhead the next  phase of growth. We have a very clear focus on new business and key clients  including oversight of client retention and business development, nurturing the  teams of talent, and driving innovation and growth for our clients and our  capabilities. With Vijay’s proven track record of always being able to meet the  ever-changing needs of clients and building strong and happy teams, we are  convinced that he will be able to drive positive impact for our clients and their  businesses and help fuel our growth ambition.” 

Upon being elevated as head of East and South, Wunderman Thompson, India, Vijay Jacob, said, “I am looking forward to taking on this new role at Wunderman  Thompson India and further pave the way for the organization to greater success.  The South market holds immense potential for delivering transformational work  that builds on Wunderman Thompson South Asia’s capabilities in creative, data,  tech, and commerce. I look forward to collaborating with our experienced team to  deliver tailored solutions to ensure growth for our clients and make the south  market the growth engine for our company.” 

Vijay will assume his new role commencing June. He will continue to report to  Shams Jasani.

Mumbai: Disney Star, an entertainment conglomerate, has announced the expanded role of Sumanta Bose, who has been appointed as the business head for Star Plus and Star Utsav. In a significant development, Sumanta Bose has also been entrusted with the responsibility of leading the content for Disney+ Hotstar Hindi specials, further enhancing Disney Star’s position in the Indian entertainment industry. This strategic move comes as Kevin Vaz, former head of network entertainment channels, decides to pursue an exciting opportunity outside Disney Star. The organisational changes have paved the way for the next generation of leaders to step up and take on larger roles within the company.

With a remarkable decade-long career in the entertainment industry, Bose possesses a wealth of expertise and a profound understanding of the ever-evolving content landscape. Having previously played a pivotal role within the organisation, Sumanta Bose is exceptionally well-prepared to lead Star Plus and Star Utsav into an era defined by unprecedented growth and innovation.

Reporting directly to Disney+Hotstar Content Studio & TV head Gaurav Banerjee, Bose will leverage his expertise to propel the success of Star Plus and Star Utsav. Additionally, he will assume the responsibility of leading content development for Star Plus, Star Jalsha, and Disney+Hotstar Hindi Specials, further solidifying Disney+Hotstar’s position as a dominant player in the Indian entertainment industry. In his new role, Bose will play a pivotal role in shaping the content strategy, driving innovation, and fostering creative excellence across Star Plus, Star Utsav, Star Jalsha, and Disney+Hotstar Hindi Specials. His exemplary leadership skills, combined with his extensive experience in the industry, will enable him to navigate the evolving media landscape and deliver compelling content that resonates with audiences.

Bose will report directly to Banerjee, while also maintaining an additional line of reporting to Disney+Hotstar head Sajith Sivanandan. This collaborative reporting structure will foster synergy across platforms and ensure a seamless integration of content offerings, thereby maximising the audience’s entertainment experience. With Bose at the helm, Disney Star is poised to reinforce its position as a trailblazer in the entertainment industry, delivering captivating content to millions of viewers across various platforms.

Mumbai: GroupM’s Motion Content Group and Mindshare India, in partnership with Britannia Marie Gold is excited to announce Britannia Marie Gold My StartUp show Dhonni Meyer Upakkhan. The show aims to encourage enterprising women who have great ideas but lack the expertise or wherewithal to get started. It is currently being aired on the weekends on  Star Jalsha 5-5:30 pm.

Celebrity film star Parambrata Chatterjee will host the show, which includes a jury consisting of Senco Jewellers director Joita Sen, Key Seth Aromatics CEO Keya Seth, Sree leathers director Rochita Dey and a couple of guest entrepreneurs. The show highlights inspiring stories and expert advice, providing a valuable resource for women looking to start their own businesses. Viewers can tune in to Star Jalsha to watch the exciting journey of 50 women entrepreneurs as they pitch their innovative business ideas to an esteemed panel of experts from various industries.

Mindshare South Asia CEO Amin Lakhani said, “We are proud to partner with Britannia Marie  Gold and Motion Content Group to bring India’s first Only Women Entrepreneurs Show to television. This unique initiative aligns with our commitment to promoting diversity, innovation,  and entrepreneurship in India. We are excited to witness the journey of these talented women  entrepreneurs and provide them with a national platform to showcase their ideas and inspire  others.”

GroupM – India president – investments, trading, and partnerships Ashwin Padmanabhan said, “We are thrilled to announce the launch of Britannia Marie Gold My StartUp Show Dhonni Meyer Upakkhan with Britannia Marie Gold as its Title sponsor. This show is a celebration of the unstoppable spirit of aspiring women entrepreneurs, fuelled by the passion to grow their businesses. This ground-breaking television initiative not only provides a valuable platform for  women entrepreneurs to showcase their talents but also inspires the next generation of female  business leaders in India.”

Britannia Marie Gold, known for its support of women’s empowerment initiatives, is all set to bring its startup campaign for homemakers to television. The initiative, which has successfully supported over 40 startups led by homemakers across the country since its inception in 2018,  has now created a special segment to acknowledge the entrepreneurial talent hidden among homemakers in West Bengal. The show will witness startup ideas getting acknowledged by an esteemed panel of jury members, who will provide guidance and support to the budding entrepreneurs. For the first time, viewers can witness the journey of homemakers turning into successful entrepreneurs, as they showcase their innovative business ideas on national television.