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Tag: appointment

  • Abhirath Anuwal joins BlissClub as the head of commerce

    Abhirath Anuwal joins BlissClub as the head of commerce

    Mumbai: The women’s activewear brand BlissClub announced the appointment of Abhirath Anuwal as their head of commerce. In this role, he is responsible for all marketing and revenue-generating activities across online and offline channels.

    Abhirath joins BlissClub after his stint with Intuit, a consumer and business financial platform in the US, where he was in the corporate strategy and development team responsible for identifying and helping execute organic and inorganic growth levers for the company. He previously worked in management consulting at Bain and completed his graduation from Yale.

    On his new role, Abhirath said, “BlissClub is one of those rare companies with strong growth prospects and innovation in its DNA. I feel lucky to be able to play my part in this journey and I’m energised by the talented team around me every day.”

    BlissClub is a homegrown consumer brand that crafts functional and incredibly comfortable activewear with a focus on Indian women, and now a LinkedIn Top Startup for 2022, has made a number of key hires recently.

  • LEAD announces Anupam Gurani & Manoj Naik elevation at a leadership role

    LEAD announces Anupam Gurani & Manoj Naik elevation at a leadership role

    Mumbai: Homegrown school edtech unicorn, LEAD, has elevated Anupam Gurani to chief business & marketing officer and Manoj Naik to chief finance & operations officer.  In their new positions, Gurani and Naik will further strengthen LEAD’s proposition as an integrated school edtech solutions provider with expertise in operations, classroom management, curriculum, and pedagogy.

    In addition to his marketing responsibilities, Gurani will now also drive customer success and revenue generation at LEAD, with a focus on continually delivering great results for all school stakeholders, and Naik will also lead supply chain and procurement excellence, in addition to leading financial operations at edtech.

    LEAD co-founder and CEO Sumeet Mehta said, “Gurani and Naik are leading our mission of bringing excellent education to every child. With their deep expertise and experience, I am sure they’ll continue to contribute to the lead in their elevated roles.” 

    “The opportunity to build on our current momentum for growth and student confidence-building through school edtech is tremendous, and I am excited to take on this new role. I look forward to working with our teams to drive further success for LEAD as we continue to make excellent learning accessible and affordable for students across India,” said Anupam Gurani. An accomplished sales, marketing, and strategy professional with over 18 years of experience, Gurani has previously led teams in leading multinational organisations across India and Southeast Asia, including Disney+, Hotstar, Vodafone, Google, and Reckitt.

    “I am thrilled to be a part of LEAD at this important juncture in its journey of impact and growth. As we continue to shape the future of learning outcomes in India’s schools, I am excited about the opportunity to strengthen operational excellence with an incredible, values-driven team,” added Manoj Naik. With over 30 years of experience, Naik has led finance, commercial and technology operations in leading companies such as GE Capital, ManipalCigna Health Insurance and Fullerton Securities, among others across India and the UAE.

  • Pocket Aces elevates Vinay Pillai to head of strategy

    Pocket Aces elevates Vinay Pillai to head of strategy

    MUMBAI: Homegrown digital entertainment company, Pocket Aces, has elevated Vinay Pillai to the dual position of head of strategy and head of clout. Vinay joined Pocket Aces in 2020 to scale Clout, its influencer management business, and has played a crucial role in getting it to a leadership position.

    In this enhanced role, Vinay will work on establishing key strategic partnerships that will not only aid in scaling the current revenue and profitability but also cement Pocket Aces’ leadership position in the sector long-term. Prior to Pocket Aces, Vinay was the co-founder of dekkho, India’s first content streaming OTT platform. Post dekkho, he headed the OTT platform at The Viral Fever, called TVF Play.

    Vinay is a computer science engineer and an MS from Columbia University, New York. He spent most of his career in product and strategy consulting with companies like DramaFever, DocPlace, and Booz in the US before returning to India.

    Commenting on his new position, Vinay Pillai shared, “I am extremely excited to take up this crucial additional responsibility to shape our strategic direction along with Aditi. Leading Clout over the last few years has been an absolute pleasure, and I have thoroughly enjoyed building it from scratch to a market leader today with an amazing team. Additionally, I look forward to now working with Pocket Aces’ finest leaders across other business units to help them scale our company to even greater heights. We have prided ourselves on always doing things in a data-backed way with a huge impetus on innovation. I feel honoured to now get to contribute in a Pocket Aces wide central capacity with our stellar young team and would like to thank Aditi for the opportunity.”

    Pocket Aces co-founder & CEO Aditi Shrivastava said, “For the head of strategy role, I wanted someone who would work alongside me to add to our vision of taking our cutting-edge media business to the next level. Vinay is a non-linear thinker. He has founder blood, as well as a blend of consulting and operational experience. These give him a unique vantage point on how to take on incumbents while also giving him the hard operational expertise of scaling businesses on the ground with growing teams. Vinay has done an excellent job of scaling Clout, and I’m excited to see him in this enhanced role. Vinay will be working closely with the rest of our management team, who will take the lead in putting our strategic direction into action.”

  • Admitad appoints Neha Kulwal as APAC managing director

    Admitad appoints Neha Kulwal as APAC managing director

    MUMBAI: Admitad has appointed Neha Kulwal, formerly the country manager, as the Asia-Pacific managing director. Admitad’s India operations were launched with the vision of becoming the largest, most trusted partner network and martech & fintech solutions provider. The company is confident it can increase growth in the entire APAC region under the leadership of Neha Kulwal, it said in a statement.

    Having joined Admitad six years ago, Neha Kulwal has established a solid market position for the company, increasing the business volume five times and attracting new clients across diverse industries. Neha has built a steady team of more than 50 people working for the company in the region today. Her ability to act as a team leader and as a true people person gained her respect throughout the entire Admitad family and beyond.

    Since 2020, the company has increased the size of its partner portfolio in India and added a significant number of advertisers and publishers as partners and clients. The total sales generated by Admitad tools for brands almost doubled between 2019 and 2021. Top-tier brands such as Flipkart, Croma, Ajio, BoAt Lifestyle, Samsung, Myntra, Kotak, Mcaffeine, and Times of India enjoy long-term, profitable partnerships with Admitad in the APAC market.

    Neha Kulwal said, ” I am delighted and truly honoured to receive this recognition. This is the beginning of a new chapter in Admitad’s journey in the region. I am confident that APAC, given its immense growth opportunities, will live up to its full potential in driving our business to greater heights. We started Admitad’s India operations with a clear vision of becoming the biggest and most trusted partner network. I am very proud of what we as a team have achieved in the last six years and, with this new responsibility at hand, I intend to grow our APAC operations by replicating the India success story.”

    “Neha Kulwal is a truly top player and an inspiring leader of the digital economy. We appreciate her experience and her business sense, and could not think of anyone being a better perfect fit for our ambitious goals in the region. It will be exciting to see more Admitad APAC projects and initiatives set benchmarks in this market,” said Admitad founder and CEO Alexander Bachmann.

    Admitad has recently moved into the new office in Gurugram, offering additional businesses and solutions beyond its partner network, including Tapfiliate, ConvertSocial, Univibes, and Coupon Whitelabel. In the near future, the company will continue to invest in developing its infrastructure in APAC.

  • Havas Media Group bags Firefox’s integrated media mandate

    Havas Media Group bags Firefox’s integrated media mandate

    Mumbai: In a multi-agency pitch, Havas Media Group India won the integrated media mandate for Firefox, the top premium bicycle brand in India and a subsidiary of the Hero Cycles Group.

    The mandate includes responsibilities for offline & online  media, and SEO. The account will be handled by Havas Media Group managing partner (head-North1) Roopali Sharma in the agency’s Gurgaon location, under the direction of the company’s president & chief client officer Uday Mohan.

    Firefox, a global leader in the premium and mid-premium bike categories since its establishment in 2004, offers an extensive and exclusive range of luxury motorcycles and accessories.

    The company sells high-end, stylish mountain bikes, road bikes, city bikes (or hybrid bikes), bikes for women, kids, & juniors, electric bicycles, and adventure & outdoor gear including backpacks, bike panniers & pouches, jerseys & t-shirts, and windcheaters & breakers.

    In addition to its e-commerce-enabled website, Firefox Bikes has more than 500 outlets and customer experience centres spread out across tier 1 and metro cities in India.

    Firefox Bikes CEO Sriram Sundresan said, “At Firefox, we are driven by a passion for biking and adventure. Being the pathbreakers, Firefox takes pride in revolutionising biking as a means of transformation, and we’ve seen tremendous growth in the adoption of biking as a preferred lifestyle choice. In Havas, we found a partner that shares a similar passion for connecting brands and consumers through meaningful media experiences. We are delighted to have them on board as our media partners and look forward to a great partnership.”

    Havas Media Group India CEO Mohit Joshi said, “We are proud to have bagged the integrated media mandate of Firefox, a niche category brand that has pioneered the growth of premium biking in India. With people getting increasingly aware of leading a healthy lifestyle and embracing sustainable ways of living, there has been a paradigm shift in the preferred mode of transportation – from conventional ICEs to EVs to bicycles. We look forward to an adventurous partnership by further strengthening the brand’s journey and its vision, as it forges meaningful connections with its consumers.”

  • India TV’s Group CEO Vinay Maheshwari moves on to explore new professional avenues

    India TV’s Group CEO Vinay Maheshwari moves on to explore new professional avenues

    Mumbai: India TV group CEO Vinay Maheshwari has decided to move on from the news network, according to a company statement. A champion of impact-driven leadership, he believes that the key to growth is to build a formidable team that will drive business and push towards success. During his six-month short-term tenure, Maheshwari has spearheaded the organisation to expand its business, achieve growth and drive profits.

    Vinay who had joined India TV in March 2022, will now move on to explore other professional avenues.

    India TV’s managing director Ritu Dhawan said, “India TV thanks Vinay for the passion and commitment he brought to the company. We appreciate his immense contribution in such a short time. We wish him the best in all his future endeavours.”

    Vinay Maheshwari said, “It was great working with India TV group though for a short tenure. Working with Rajatji and Rituji was a wonderful experience. Enjoyed every bit of it. I wish India TV all the success.”

    He is also an advisor to family-led businesses and helps many organisations to turn around their business. He is skilled in incubating ideas, coaching and innovating.

    Prior to this, he was also associated with Dainik Bhaskar Group and Hindustan Times in leadership positions.

  • Dentsu Creative India elevates Benny Augustine to COO

    Dentsu Creative India elevates Benny Augustine to COO

    Mumbai: Dentsu Creative India has elevated Benny Augustine to the role of chief operating officer (COO). He will report directly to Dentsu Creative India CEO Amit Wadhwa.

    As per the mandate, Benny will oversee the operations of Dentsu Creative in India. His objective will be to build various frameworks, platforms, and business processes that promote efficiency and effectiveness for clients using ‘modern creativity.’ Furthermore, he will aim to foster the company culture by leading internal initiatives and implementing training programmes to help develop talent.

    It is pertinent to note here that in his new role, Benny will also closely work with Dentsu Creative’s global operations community led by global COO, Andrea Terrassa.

    Benny has been with the network for over a decade, where he was a part of the senior management team at Dentsu Webchutney as chief financial officer (CFO). He played a key role in establishing the agency as one of the top and largest digital creative agencies in India.

    Amit Wadhwa commented, “While we move into this new era of a strong brand like Dentsu Creative in India, it is important to have someone to spearhead the operational transformation who understands people as well as the business. To be honest, I don’t think I could have asked for a better person than Benny to do this.”

    Speaking of his new role, Augustine said, “I am super thrilled to take up this new assignment. It would be both challenging and exciting to be the COO of one of the most creative networks globally. I am thankful to Amit and Dentsu’s senior management for considering me for this critical role.”

    At the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity 2022, Dentsu Creative India was declared the ‘Agency of the Year.’

    In completing a hat-trick for the agency, Dentsu also lifted a Titanium for the country for its “Unfiltered History Tour (UHT)” Campaign in addition to bagging three Grand Prix—another first, two Gold Lions and three Silver Lions—making “UHT” the most awarded work not only from India but globally.

  • Omara Dates announces new campaign ‘pyaar bhi, khayaal bhi’ featuring Amitabh Bachchan

    Omara Dates announces new campaign ‘pyaar bhi, khayaal bhi’ featuring Amitabh Bachchan

    Mumbai: Healthy snacks brand Omara Dates has onboarded Amitabh Bachchan as a brand ambassador. With this association, Omara Dates, which recently hit stores in India with its range of the finest gourmet Saudi dates, aims to enhance the adoption of this healthy food for daily snacking and gifting.

    Their campaign, themed “pyaar bhi, khayaal bhi,” urges people to include care along with their gestures of love.

    Speaking of his appointment, Bachchan commented, “Dates have been part of my daily routine and keep me energised throughout the day. Delighted to partner with Omara Dates.”

    “Dates have been imported into India for many years and we have become the largest importer in the world with almost 350 thousand metric tonnes landing here from more than 30 countries. However, consumer demand has shifted from the value-priced “dry variety” to the higher-priced “fresh variety.” Consumers are demanding the best quality available. However, there is a vacuum in the market and not many brands can promise to fulfil that. This is where Omara steps in. Our aim is to ensure that every household gets access to this superfood and can enjoy the associated health benefits. With Amitabh Bachchan’s association with Omara, we are confident of creating more awareness for quality dates in the Indian market through him,” said Omara Dates co-founder & director of finance Supreeth MJ (Sandy).

    Stressing on the philosophy behind launching the brand, Omara Dates founder & MD Anil Nair mentioned, “We believe that the best things in life are the ones produced by nature and everyone deserves them. With our robust pan-India distribution network through 70 plus distributors, all major retail outlets, airport stores, and all foremost e-commerce platforms including our website, we would be able to make Omara Dates available to everyone who would choose a healthy alternative to their sweet cravings.”

  • Animation Studio Cosmos-Maya ropes in Megha Tata as chief executive officer

    Animation Studio Cosmos-Maya ropes in Megha Tata as chief executive officer

    Mumbai: Animation company Cosmos-Maya India has announced the appointment of Megha Tata as its chief executive officer, who will oversee the company’s operations and lead the animation studio into its next phase of growth. Her appointment comes on the heels of the company’s recent announcement of a $50 million investment plan to facilitate growth and expansion in Europe and North America.

    Megha Tata comes with over three decades of experience in the management of television networks in the media and entertainment industry. Prior to Cosmos-Maya, Tata was a managing director at Discovery Communications India. She has held leadership positions at other eminent broadcasters such as BTVI, HBO, Turner International India, and Star India. At Cosmos-Maya, Tata aims to leverage her wealth of knowledge and decades of expertise to drive the organisation’s next phase of growth and solidify the studio’s position as the foremost animation studio in Asia.

    Commenting on her appointment, Megha Tata said, “I am thrilled to start my new journey with Cosmos-Maya. I have always looked for challenging yet exciting opportunities in my career, and animation is one such sector that poses immense growth potential. Cosmos-Maya has been at the forefront of the industry in India and Asia, and I look forward to working closely with the senior leadership team to create a vigorous growth path for the company.”

    Cosmos-Maya founder and managing director Ketan Mehta said, “I am thrilled and excited to welcome Megha to the Cosmos-Maya family. I look forward to working with her to build on top of Cosmos-Maya’s legacy and take our company to new heights.”

    NewQuest Capital Partners—a GP solutions specialist and an investor in Cosmos-Maya managing director Sachin Khandelwal also commented on the appointment, “Having created several highly acclaimed animation shows as one of the leading kids-focussed animation companies in India and Asia, Cosmos-Maya is well positioned to further cement its dominance and unlock new growth opportunities with Megha’s deep experience with broadcasters and in the overall media and entertainment industry.”

  • SBI General Insurance appoints Kishore Kumar Poludasu as managing director & chief executive officer

    SBI General Insurance appoints Kishore Kumar Poludasu as managing director & chief executive officer

    Mumbai: SBI General Insurance has announced the appointment of Kishore Kumar Poludasu as its new managing director & chief executive officer. He was nominated by the parent company, State Bank of India, for the position and has been appointed w.e.f 4 October 2022.

    Kishore Kumar Poludasu has been associated with the State Bank of India since 1991 and held several positions with the bank during his tenure. Prior to his current role at SBI General under State Bank Group, he was the deputy managing director, as the country head of State Bank of India, Singapore Operations.

    Poludasu is a seasoned BFSI professional with over three decades of experience in commercial banking, including large corporate/infrastructure credit, international banking operations, enterprise management, mergers & consolidation, etc. He has a strong track record of delivering long-term results, emphasising the organisation’s customer-centric culture, and providing value to customers at every touchpoint. The company is today poised for greater growth, and at this juncture, SBI General is vehemently driving focus on assertive strategies, agile processes, strategic partnerships, and right talent management. Poludasu’s experience will be of immense value to this roadmap towards the top.

    Prior to joining SBI General, at State Bank of India, he had been involved in key projects and responsibilities which consisted of planning and strategic execution for expansion, driving sales and growth for the bank. Poludasu has also been instrumental in supervising the integration of systems, processes, and human resources during the merger between State Bank of Mysore and SBI. As an officer on special duty (OSD) from the State Bank of India, he was involved in the establishment of the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID), an All India Financial Institution (AIFI), for increased focus on financing and development of India’s infrastructure industry.