Category: People

Mumbai: Tresa Motors has appointed Vinod K Dasari as the chairman of the board. Vinod’s vast experience and exemplary track record in the automotive sector make him the perfect choice to lead Tresa Motors into a promising future. 

At the company’s helm, Dasari will spearhead the company’s strategic direction, drive innovation, and foster synergies within the organisation. With his extensive domain expertise, he will play a pivotal role in reinforcing Tresa Motors’ position as a leader in the electric trucking business.

“We are thrilled to welcome Vinod K Dasari to the Tresa Motors family,” said Tresa Motors founding CEO Rohan Shravan. “His remarkable accomplishments and profound insights in the automotive sector make him a critical resource for our growth journey. We are confident that under his leadership, Tresa Motors will reach new heights of success, delivering innovative EV solutions to meet the evolving needs of our customers.”

Dasari’s illustrious career boasts key leadership positions at renowned companies, including his tenure as the CEO of Royal Enfield, CEO and MD of Ashok Leyland, and his significant contributions as the president of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) from 2015 to 2017. His wealth of experience and successful stints have earned him admiration and respect across the industry.

Expressing his gratitude,Tresa Motors chairman Vinod K Dasari said, “I am deeply honored to join Tresa Motors. Tresa Motors has established itself as a dynamic force in the automotive sector, and leveraging Indian engineering and innovation to participate in the global markets. I am excited to be a part of their journey to redefine the future of mobility.”

“I look forward to contributing my knowledge and expertise to drive Tresa Motors’ growth, innovation, and sustainability endeavors. Together, with the talented team at Tresa Motors, we will strive to create value for all stakeholders and continue to push the boundaries of automotive excellence,” Dasari added. 

Vinod K Dasari will assume his new role at Tresa Motors with immediate effect, and the company is eager to witness his transformative leadership and usher in a new era of success.

Mumbai: Omnicom Media Group India has announced the elevation of Deep Singh as its National Head of Strategy. Deep ascends to this position from his successful stint as PHD India’s Strategy Lead since Feb 2021. 

Fortifying OMG’s strategic firepower in the market, in his new role, Deep embarks on a collaborative journey with the Group and its CEOs and chief growth officer to deliver on ambitious growth targets and pitches for new business opportunities. A key focus will be the wide-scale adoption of Omni’s product suite – Omnicom’s precision marketing and insights platform, to deliver outstanding business outcomes. Having demonstrated his astute decision-making skills and acumen at PHD, Deep will now be tasked with addressing the strategic requirements of OMD and PHD India’s key clients, leveraging the agency’s future-facing offerings to help clients unlock new potential and building a strong, strategic foothold for Omnicom Media Group in the market while working with key stakeholders to simplify the complex.

This appointment adds to a series of strategic elevations within the organisation, further exemplifying the Group’s steadfast commitment to driving growth for its people.

Bringing a wealth of experience and expertise, Deep will also be pivotal in establishing OMG India as a forward-thinking organisation at the forefront of strategic innovation. Deep has over 17 years of experience in the fields of advertising, media, brand, process consulting and teaching. Before joining PHD, Deep was leading the Strategy product at Mindshare for its North and East regions, where he steered the blueprint for illustrious brands like GSK, PepsiCo, Unilever, Dyson, Pizza Hut, KFC and Urban Clap. He has also lent his expertise over the years across roles at J. Walter Thompson Worldwide and Elephant Design. 

Deep said, “I am excited to take on this role and help accelerate OMG India’s strategic footprint. Agility and strategic superiority are paramount in maintaining a competitive edge and I’m keen on leveraging these frameworks to meet the growing needs of the marketplace. My focus will be on leading the organisation’s strategic initiatives and ensuring that we navigate the areas of emerging possibilities to deliver scalable business solutions and growth for us and our clients.”

Mumbai: L&K Saatchi & Saatchi, part of Publicis Groupe India, has appointed Pranav Kapur as vice  president, account management. Kapur has a wealth of experience in marketing and  communications, which he brings to this new position. 

As an integral part of the team, Kapur will report to Atin Wahal, executive director at L&K  Saatchi & Saatchi, and play a pivotal role in spearheading the development of brand and  business solutions in an integrated approach.  

Kapur’s past experience as associate vice president at BBDO Worldwide, coupled with over a  decade of delivering successful brand solutions across diverse industries such as Automobile,  BFSI, Alcobev, and FMCG, has positioned him as an invaluable asset to the agency. He has  made a significant contribution to well-known brands like Maruti Suzuki, Suzuki Motorcycles,  Ford India, Videocon, HDFC ERGO, Jack Daniels, and KFC. 

Commenting on Kapur’s appointment, Wahal said, “We warmly welcome Pranav to the ever growing team at L&K Saatchi & Saatchi. We are delighted to have him onboard at such a high  point, marked with great wins and amazing work by the agency. I believe Pranav will perfectly align with our core belief of ‘Our Clients’ Business is our Business,’ as he aims to become a valuable business partner to our clients. His extensive experience across various categories  and domains will undoubtedly benefit our clients tremendously.” 

Kapur stated, “I firmly believe that brands require not only agencies but also business growth  partners. L&K Saatchi & Saatchi exemplifies this philosophy every day with their integrated  offering of ‘Power of One.’ I am thrilled to collaborate with Atin and Paritosh to further fuel the growth of L&K Saatchi & Saatchi, an agency that is already making significant strides.” 

Mumbai: As the world celebrates Friendship Day, it is also a momentous occasion for Jatan and Tushar, the co-founders of Perfora, as they mark the completion of two years since they introduced their innovative brand to the world. The journey of Perfora is not just a tale of entrepreneurial success but a testament to the power of friendship and shared dreams. Let us delve into the extraordinary bond between Jatan and Tushar and how it fueled the birth of a brand that has redefined oral care.

The genesis of friendship and Perfora: Jatan and Tushar’s friendship is rooted in a shared ambition to build something that would genuinely add value to consumers’ lives. Their friendship served as the bedrock of their entrepreneurial journey, and together, they embarked on a mission to create a brand that would revolutionise oral care. Despite being different individuals with distinct personalities, they found common ground in their aspirations, proving that friendship can thrive on the strength of shared dreams.

A journey of discovery and learning: The path to building Perfora was not without its challenges. Countless ideas were discussed and discarded before the duo finally discovered their true calling in oral care. Fueled by the belief that existing brands lacked purpose and effectiveness, Jatan and Tushar set out to create something extraordinary. As first-time founders, they embarked on a steep learning curve, embracing the unknown and learning on the go. The journey was filled with sleepless nights, experimenting with marketing strategies, creating content, and exploring new avenues. Through it all, they realised that being a founder did not necessitate knowing everything; instead, the joy of discovering and learning new things became a thrilling aspect of their journey.

Celebrating success and embracing challenges: As Perfora completes its second year, Jatan and Tushar are filled with gratitude for the overwhelming support they have received from their customers and team. They celebrate not just the brand’s achievements but also the unwavering friendship that fueled their determination during tough times. Challenges were met with unwavering resolve, and successes were cherished together as true friends. Through it all, Jatan and Tushar have learned the value of perseverance, the joy of shared victories, and the strength of friendship that transcends any obstacle.

Jatan and Tushar’s story is a testament to the beautiful alliance of friendship and entrepreneurship. As we celebrate Friendship Day, let us be inspired by their journey and cherish the friendships that enrich our lives. Just like the enduring bond between Jatan and Tushar, true friendships have the power to conquer challenges, ignite dreams, and make the world a better place. Happy Friendship Day to all, and here’s to the timeless magic of friendship!

Mumbai: Singer India Ltd., one of the leading and the most trusted brand in the sewing machine category and the home appliances industry, plans to revamp the company’s product portfolio, strengthen its marketing and distribution while focusing on investing in talent and manufacturing as the company gets to ready to expand and diversify, under the leadership of recently appointed managing director and vice chairman, Rakesh Khanna. 

Khanna comes with a varied and rich experience in the consumer and white goods industry, which is the perfect mix of what Singer India is planning to achieve an innovation journey that will put the consumer and the company’s employee needs at the core of its business functions. India Is showing resilience towards a slow global economy and is growing at a steady and cautious pace, Khanna is confident that with the rich pedigree behind Singer India and the company’s commitment to creating technically superior products, Singer wants to now explore the full potential that a market like India has to offer which has emerged as one of the largest exporters of textiles and apparel products in the world with the huge manufacturing base.

Khanna said, “It is an honor to lead a brand like Singer India, which comes with a strong 170-year-old legacy. I am very excited to partner & collaborate with the rich talent & our other stakeholders to explore the huge playground that India has to offer. I surely look forward to the onward journey of Singer India towards new horizons of innovation and creating newer experiences for our consumers to instill greater confidence and love in the brand.”

Mumbai: YAAP, a new-age, specialised content and influencer marketing company has appointed V. Gokulakrishnan Pillai as creative head at its offices in Delhi. At YAAP, he will be leading creative businesses across all regions. His vision is to grow the creative team in all locations and lay a robust future forward strategy to nurture creative/content business and innovations at YAAP.

With 15 years of distinguished experience in digital content and advertising, Gokulakrishnan brings an impressive track record of working with over 50 major brands, including renowned names such as Thumbs Up, Honda, Hero Cycles, Voltas, and Apollo Tyres. Throughout his illustrious career, Gokulakrishnan has showcased his expertise in developing and nurturing creative businesses, while spearheading internationally acclaimed campaigns. His exceptional talent and passion for storytelling has earned him a reputation as an expert in crafting compelling narratives that resonate with diverse audiences.

Speaking about his appointment, YAAP senior partner Manan Kapur said: “Over the years, our journey at YAAP has been marked by a remarkable transformation, with significant growth and expansion in both our team and the portfolio of esteemed brands we serve. Now, with the exciting addition of Gokulakrishnan to our team, taking the helm of our creative vertical, we firmly believe that he will play a crucial role in driving YAAP’s continued success, bringing fresh creative perspectives and innovative strategies to the forefront.”

Stepping into the role of creative head at YAAP, V. Gokulakrishnan, said: “I am excited to be a part of a company like YAAP that brings together technology, data, and content to deliver high-quality solutions that leave a lasting impact on audiences. My goal here is to explore new frontiers of creativity and deliver innovative, trailblazing work that sets our clients apart. This is a great opportunity for me to work alongside an inspiring leader like Manan, and I look forward to a fulfilling innings here.”

A former tennis professional, motorcycle enthusiast and passionate writer, V. Gokulakrishnan Pillai maintains a blog that covers his extensive motorcycling experiences.

Mumbai: GroupM, WPP’s media investment group, today announced the appointment of Saif Shaikh as the head of non-biddable at GroupM Nexus India. He takes over from Sidhartha  Patnaik, who has assumed a regional remit as head of non-biddable at GroupM Nexus APAC.

Saif Shaikh brings a wealth of experience in the media and advertising industry, spanning over two decades. Saif’s expertise lies in campaign implementation, media planning tools and software deployment, data management, and media activation solutions. He has been pivotal in launching numerous brands across different sectors, including FMCG, Finance, Insurance, and Media &  Entertainment.  

In his new role at GroupM Nexus, Saif will focus on the long-term prioritisation of campaign implementation, leveraging cutting-edge tools and software for media planning and data management,  and providing media activation solutions to clients. His extensive knowledge and strategic insights will contribute significantly to the growth and success of GroupM Nexus in India.

GroupM Nexus India president Priti Murthy said, “Saif’s extensive experience in deployment of tools and software for media strategising, planning and data management along with driving implementation will further strengthen the way we do media planning at GroupM Nexus India. I look forward to his contribution in elevating our non-biddable craft and embedding additional capabilities across GroupM agencies’ client activations”.

GroupM Nexus India head of non-biddable Saif Shaikh, said, “I am thrilled and honoured to take on this new role. India’s diverse and rapidly evolving market presents immense opportunities, and I am eager to leverage my experience and expertise to drive growth and innovation for GroupM Nexus. It’s an enormous privilege to be part of the world’s largest performance organisation and I look forward to

delivering incremental growth for our agencies and clients. I am deeply grateful for the trust placed in  me and look forward to collaborating with our talented team and valued partners.”

Mumbai: Telestream, the global leader in workflow automation, media processing, and video quality, today announces the appointment of Alex Keighley as chief revenue officer. Reporting to Telestream CEO, Rhonda Bassett-Spiers, Keighley will lead Telestream’s global sales teams and play a pivotal role as the organization looks to scale and execute its strategic roadmap. 

For the past 30 years, Keighley has held senior positions with media owners and news organizations such as AP, News International, and Reuters, as well as playing a significant role in the growth of well-known technology brands, including Avid, Bitcentral, and Grass Valley. He brings a proven track record of steering successful regional and global sales teams through periods of growth and building strategic relationships with clients and partners. Since joining Telestream in December 2020, Keighley has led the Telestream US sales team, working with customers across the whole spectrum of networks, studios, live and post-production companies, station groups, and streamers. 

Telestream CEO Rhonda Bassett-Spiers said: “The global media landscape is constantly evolving, and Telestream stands side-by-side with our customers to turn increasingly complex challenges into opportunities together. We are working hard to be the partner for change, and no one is better placed than Alex Keighley to spearhead our global sales efforts. Alex brings a special combination of  broadcast and media technology experience that enables him to map our innovation and solutions to customers’ needs today and the future, putting them at the center of everything we do.”

Telestream chief revenue officer Alex Keighley said: “I’m excited to be leading Telestream’s global sales efforts at such a crucial moment in our expansion and growth. Telestream has a deep track record of delivering the results our global customers and partners want, with the value they expect and the pace they need to succeed. Powered by best-in-class technology and deep industry knowledge, I look forward to guiding our diverse sales teams as we continue to deliver solutions that help shape and unlock the future of media workflows from content creation and production to distribution and monetization.”

Based in California, US, Keighley replaces Benjamin Desbois, who has left the company to take up a senior position within the broadcast industry.

Mumbai; IBC has appointed Mark Smith as chair of the IBC council. The Council is a long-established advisory group drawn from senior media and entertainment (M&E) executives. Its role is to advise IBC on key strategic issues. Smith will chair his first Council meeting during  IBC2023, which takes place in the RAI Amsterdam on 15-18 September.

“It is a great honour to have been appointed chair of the IBC council,” Smith said. “I will be striving to ensure we have a strong balance of council members to reflect IBC’s traditional and evolving stakeholders – including opinion formers, visitors, and exhibitors. This balance will be key to informing the development of compelling IBC events for the future, ensuring we continue to evolve and deliver as the essential global business and technology communications platform and marketplace for the media and entertainment industry”.

Smith has spent more than 30 years in the technology and events sector, focused on industry-level technology evolution, innovation programmes and M&E initiatives. As Communications and Marketing Director for the GSMA, the industry organisation that represents the interests of mobile network operators worldwide, he was a key part of the team that acquired and grew the Mobile World Congress (MWC) as it became one of the biggest technology shows in the world.

Over the last decade, he has focused on the intersection between the communications and M&E sectors. His experience has helped him launch and develop the now-established IBC Accelerator Media Innovation Programme, which brings together pioneering media companies and leading-edge technology partners to collaborate on solutions that address real-world challenges and drive advances across a range of areas.

IBC chief executive officer Michael Crimp said: “Mark’s skill in bringing people together and building networks and relationships will prove a great asset to the council, alongside his knowledge of digital and media markets and some of the most relevant challenges and opportunities ahead of our industry. I also want to thank John Honeycutt for leading the council through the difficult pandemic era. John ensured that the council provided essential feedback at a time when the industry was unable to meet in person.”

Outgoing chair John Honeycutt said: “It has been a great honour to serve as IBC council chair. I have enjoyed the challenge, but now my term has ended. IBC is not only a media industry leader but also a leader for the global conference industry as it returns to a new normal. With great leadership and compelling proposition, IBC is well positioned to thrive and innovate for years to come.”

Mumbai: dentsu X, the media agency from dentsu India, has announced the appointment of Jose Leon as chief executive officer (CEO). He will report to dentsu CEO Media, South Asia Anita Kotwani.

Jose will offer his expertise in digital transformation paired with the network’s best-in-class media, analytics, technology, and content capabilities to deliver growth-bound integrated media solutions. In line with the agency’s unique promise, ‘Transforming by design’, he will mentor teams to strategize meaningful media campaigns that strengthen the brand-people connection through tech-powered transformative solutions.

Based out of dentsu’s Gurugram office, Jose will concentrate on empowering clients through media campaigns that create excellent consumer experiences, bringing about a big transformation in society, and strengthening their businesses to increase their top-line numbers.

It is worth noting that dentsu India has been diligently working toward creating and improving practice areas in key industry segments like gaming, e-commerce, and content. Jose will use a combination of these skills to strategically focus his efforts on providing customized media solutions to clients.

Commenting on the appointment, Anita Kotwani said, “Dentsu, as a network, is driven by forward-thinking tech-enabled practices. Our belief in offering disruptive, cutting-edge solutions keeps us ahead in the ecosystem. We take immense pride in bringing extraordinary talents on board for this journey. Jose is one of the leaders with the right balance of technology and media acumen. His expertise is a great fit for dentsu X’s vision of building valuable experiences for consumers, beyond simple media exposure. I look forward to partnering with him in this marathon ahead. A warm welcome to our dentsu network, Jose, and best wishes for the journey ahead.”

Jose Leon added, “Our purpose at dentsu X is “Experience beyond Exposure”. This is fundamentally rooted in the fact that brands can remain hyper-relevant by building valuable and strong experiences for their consumers, beyond simple media exposure, which can only be built by understanding people’s innermost motivations, beyond their digital behaviour. The “Why” beyond “What” – to earn their attention and drive action. We at denstu X integrate content creation, technology, data, and behavioural insights to craft these experiences that are truly focused on full-funnel marketing solutions.”

Armed with an experience of 26 years, Jose has excelled in accelerating growth and building revenues for brands across industries. With expertise in delivering tech-led digital transformation, Jose has attained the skillsets to drive disruptive media solutions, envisioned through a people-centric approach. Prior to joining dentsu X, he held the position of managing director at the Publicis Groupe for over five years. His leadership experience also extends across global technology giants like Adobe.