MUMBAI: After over a decade of driving growth for some of the world’s biggest brands, Pratiman is now steering into a new chapter as senior growth & demand marketing manager at Bosch, based in Stuttgart, Germany.
In his new role, he will lead global growth and demand marketing for Bosch Software & Digital Solutions, focusing on account-based marketing, campaign strategy, pipeline acceleration, and customer engagement across markets.
Pratiman’s career is a masterclass in modern marketing. Before joining Bosch, he served as CRM marketing lead at Hellmann Worldwide Logistics, where he drove global CRM transformation through Microsoft Dynamics 365, aligning marketing, sales, and IT to enhance customer journeys and operational efficiency.
Previously, at SAP LeanIX, he honed his expertise in marketing automation and data-driven strategy, leading cross-channel campaigns via HubSpot and Salesforce while ensuring GDPR compliance and advanced analytics for global audiences.
His freelance consulting years were equally prolific, advising brands such as Aviatrix, T-Systems, Rydoo, and Zeotap on intent-based marketing and CRM integrations. Earlier roles at Simba Dickie Group, Eran Group, and Audi shaped his early understanding of brand building, experiential marketing, and international market dynamics.
Recognised as one of India’s youngest Top 100 Most Influential Marketing Leaders by the World Marketing Congress, Pratiman has built a career at the intersection of creativity, data, and technology.
Now at Bosch, his focus is clear, to accelerate growth through precision marketing that fuses global insight with local relevance. For a marketer who’s driven results from Mumbai to Munich, this next pit stop at Bosch looks like another winning lap.
MUMBAI: This Diwali, Audi isn’t just lighting up the streets, it’s lighting up minds. In a sparkling collaboration with Saatchi & Saatchi India, the brand has rolled out ‘Journeys of Imagination’, a festive campaign that’s part road trip, part art show, and all heart.
Revving up Audi’s signature ‘Journey with Audi’ platform, the campaign celebrates the magic that happens when cutting-edge tech meets the warmth of Indian celebrations. The spotlight? Firmly on the sleek Audi q3 sportback, with star cameos from its luxe siblings, the q5 and q7, as they cruise through a Mumbai alive with festive fervour.
But this isn’t just another glossy car ad. It’s a joyride powered by creativity.
Enter AI artist Omkar Korade and renowned photographer Hashim Badani, two new-age creators who took the Audi Q3 on a journey through Mumbai’s glowing streets, capturing the soul of the city during its most spirited season. Think bustling lanes, swirling lights, and art that quite literally moves you.
Their work turns every stop into a stroke of genius, transforming everyday festive scenes into imaginative digital artworks, all while showcasing Audi as more than just a car. It’s a co-pilot on a canvas, a muse for modern makers, and a companion in every moment of celebration.
“Audi has always championed innovation,” said Saatchi & Saatchi India chief creative officer Kartik Smetacek. “And every new idea starts with a leap of imagination. So, for this year’s festive campaign, we collaborated with new-age creators Omkar Korade and Hashim Badani to reimagine how Mumbai celebrates the season. You will soon see their amazing AI art lighting up digital screens across the city.”
Audi India head of marketing and PR Gaurav Sinha added, “Festivals in India are full of imagination and emotion, and we wanted this campaign to reflect that spirit in a way that feels fresh and modern. ‘Celebrating Journeys of Imagination’ is our tribute to how creativity, culture, and innovation come together during this time of the year.”
And the strategy isn’t just about seasonal sparkle, Saatchi & Saatchi India executive director Atin Wahal pointed out that this partnership is built for the long road, “Our partnership with Audi is built on a shared vision of innovation and progress. It is focused on helping the brand connect meaningfully with audiences and drive creativity in the automotive space.”
Mumbai: Wondrlab, one of India’s leading platform-first Martech networks, has appointed Bhavesh Kosambia as its content lead. As a part of strengthening its creative leadership team, Kosambia will report to co-founder & chief creative officer Amit Akali and lead a set of key accounts and talent.
Kosambia has been around in the advertising industry for more than two decades, most recently as group creative director at Grey. He’s handled and built national and international brands like Audi, Coke, Ferrero, Gillette, Eureka Forbes, Reliance, Zee TV, Parle, Paras, Marico, and ITC. He has won various national and international awards, such as those from Cannes, One Show, the New York Festival, Adfest, and Spikes Asia. He’s even served on numerous juries, including the grand jury for the New York Festival.
The last few years, he’s been focusing on his skills as an ad filmmaker and director. His films Tanishq “Raksha Bandhan” and Gillette “Soldier” have been among the top popular ones in the last couple of years.
At Wondrlab, he will use his skills as a creative leader, thinker, and ad film director. Akali explained, “I’ve been lucky to work with Kosambia in the past, both as a creative person and as a filmmaker. He’s done some of our best work as a director, and I’ve seen him work his magic as a creative team leader. He’s one of those rare people who is constantly learning and evolving. And I’m sure he’ll quickly get down to doing cutting-edge, platform-first, tech-led work.”
He further goes on to say, “We are also clear that in-house talent is going to get all possible opportunities, especially with our in-house production set up—Kosambia has already directed a few films for us, including the recent “Karva Chauth” film for Bharat Matrimony. Most importantly, he’s someone our clients can depend on as a partner and support system to build their brands.”
Kosambia adds, “I have always believed that any place is made by the people who work there, and my association with Wonderlab and What’s Your Problem for the last couple of years has just proved me right again. The energy, dedication, and quest for doing something different exhibited by Amit Akali, Rakesh Hinduja, and Saurabh Varma can only be experienced if you work with them. The place is currently buzzing with talented and hungry people looking for good work, as well as equally hungry clients looking for good work. Honestly speaking, I feel like an extended family that has come to feast at a table where everyone is already enjoying whatever they are supposed to do. And I am sure I too will be able to join the party.”
Mumbai: Audi, which announced its entry into Formula 1 at the end of August, has selected Sauber as a strategic partner for the project and plans to acquire a stake in the Sauber Group. The partnership will see the traditional Swiss racing team competing as the Audi factory team from 2026 onwards, using the power unit developed by Audi for the pinnacle of motorsport.
Sauber has around 30 years of competitive experience. While the power unit will be created at Audi’s Motorsport Competence Center in Neuburg an der Donau, Sauber will develop and manufacture the race car at its site in Hinwil (Switzerland). Sauber will also be responsible for planning and executing the race operations.
“We are delighted to have gained such an experienced and competent partner for our ambitious Formula 1 project. We already know the Sauber Group with its state-of-the-art facility and experienced team from previous collaborations and are convinced that together we will form a strong team,” said Audi AG member of the board for technical development Oliver Hoffmann. For example, Audi Sport has already regularly used the Sauber Group’s high-tech wind tunnel in Hinwil, just under four hours away by car, during the successful Le Mans era and during the development of the Class 1 touring car for the DTM.
“Sauber is a first-class partner,” he added.
“Audi is the best partner for the Sauber Group. It is clear that both companies share the same values and vision. We are looking forward to achieving our common goals with a strong and successful partnership,” said Sauber Holding chairman Finn Rausing.
Development of the power unit, which consists of an electric motor, battery, control systems and a combustion engine, is already in full swing at the facility of the specially founded Audi Formula Racing in Neuburg an der Donau. More than 120 employees are already working on the project. “Sauber is a first-class partner for the use of the Audi Power Unit. We are looking forward to working with an experienced team that has helped shape many eras of Formula 1 history. Together, we want to write the next chapter starting in 2026,” said the company’s managing director Adam Baker.
The expansion of the Neuburg facility is in full swing. The timetable up to the first race with Audi participation in the 2026 season is ambitious. The expansion of the Neuburg facility in terms of personnel, buildings, and technical infrastructure should be largely in place in 2023. The first tests with the power unit developed for the 2026 regulations in a Formula 1 test car are planned for 2025.
Formula 1 is taking a big step towards sustainability with the new regulations that will come into effect in 2026. This was an important prerequisite for Audi’s decision to enter the championship. The power units will be more efficient than they are today, as the proportion of electric power will increase significantly. The electric drivetrain will then have nearly as much power as the internal combustion engine, which comes to 400 kW (544 hp). The 1.6-liter turbocharged engines will be powered by sustainable synthetic fuel that is CO2-neutral (according to EU standards). Formula 1 has also set itself the goal of being CO2-neutral as a racing series by 2030.
New Delhi: Home-grown multinational automotive manufacturing corporation Mahindra and Mahindra on Monday appointed Toru Saito as the president and CEO of Mitsubishi Mahindra Agricultural Machinery Co Ltd (MAM), Japan.
He will also be a representative director on the board of MAM, which has played a key role in establishing Mahindra as a global player in the area of tractor and farm implements.
Saito carries over three decades of experience with Nissan Motors and Audi Japan. For the past six years, he was associated with Audi. Before joining Mahindra, he was president, Audi Japan Sales KK.
”Our endeavour is to bring on board top global talent to support our ambitious growth plans,” said M&M executive director and chairman of the board of directors, Rajesh Jejurikar. “Saito brings with him global cross-functional experience. I am sure under his leadership MAM will continue its transformative journey and meet the commitments of a profitable growth.”
NEW DELHI: German luxury car manufacturer Audi has debuted in the world of Instagram filters for the launch of its latest premium all-rounder – the Audi Q2. Conceptualised by BBH India and executed by Alive Now, the AR filter offers an immersive gamified experience of driving this machine to tech-savvy target audiences.
One can access the filter by tapping on the story section of Instagram on their phones and searching for the Audi Q2 City Run filter. Once it loads, the filter allows the user to select between three cities – Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru, where they want to drive their Audi Q2 in. Each city is brought alive with illustrations of key landmarks and obstacles making the experience highly personal and localised.
With games being a great new trending way for audiences to interact with their favourite brands online, the brand decided to go the same route, said Audi India head of marketing and PR Gaurav Sinha. “Curating engaging content for our social audiences is the key element of communication design for us at Audi India. The unique and interactive AR filter game developed for the Audi Q2 allows users to select a city and virtually drive through it. We received tremendous positive feedback from our audiences and network on this activity.”
BBH-PWW India CEO and CCO Russell Barrett added, “We're always looking for new ways to bring ideas to life. Gaming has been at the forefront of digital engagement and we felt it was the perfect way to highlight the Audi Q2 for what it is – the perfect luxury car that can do it all. And putting the users in their very own cities just makes it all the more relatable.”
Audi Q2 was unveiled in India in October 2020 and sports a bold design, 190hp, 2.0 LTFSI engine, progressive steering and quattro. It seamlessly combines exemplary functionality with luxury appeal, making it perfectly suited for everyday driving and a capable companion on adventure trips.
There have been a number of brands that have utilised Instagram AR filters to promote their products, the most recent being the PS 5. Other brands like Adidas, Gucci, Swiggy, etc are also running their AR filters on the platform. Content creators and artists like comedian-actor Vir Das and content creator Dolly Singh, etc also offer unique AR filters on the image sharing social network.
MUMBAI/NEW DELHI: If there’s something sacred for any brand, it is the logo! A logo is like the skin to a brand’s soul. It is what distinguishes the brand from competitors and makes it identifiable with a distinctive character of its own. For decades, brands have invested significantly in promoting their identities using these signs and symbols and any changes in them require a huge strategic and economic planning. It is seldom that we see brands adapting their logos for moment marketing but the ongoing global pandemic of Covid-19 has made many brands take this crucial call.
Understanding their social responsibility by virtue of their popularity, many brands have synced their logo designs with the message of isolation and social distancing. While most experts would suggest a likely hit on their revenues, some brands have made significant investment on this to show their commitment to the cause.
The most prominent names in the list of brands that have rebranded their logos for the moment could be McDonald’s, which had its golden arches engraved in its logo in 1962, and Coca Cola.
According to Mirum India executive creative director Naila Patel, all creativity done by the brands are welcomed. Majorly, at the time of crisis, this kind of move attracts the attention of consumers. “It puts the brand in a humane and emphatic light which increases positivity towards the brand. In today’s times, brands which have a cause in their corner attract consumers. The young, educated and evolved consumers identify themselves better with the brands that stand by causes or show empathy in tough times.”
Brand-nomics managing director Viren Razdan said: “The Pandemic has brought the world together, united in fear and hope. As all the stops are being pulled out to spread the prevention message, iconic brands are making their popular following count by cleverly weaving in the message into their well-ingrained logos. Coca-Cola Times Square spot is perhaps the most expensive signage, and the impact would be great.”
He also adds a word of caution for brands. “In the hypersonic media landscape we operate in, marketers and brands do their best to stay relevant in consumer conversations. But as McDonald’s would have learned, any such act requires your own house to be open to public scrutiny or else all this backfires as superficial, clever, opportunistic, and tactical brownie points. The McDonald’s campaign of moving the arches was withdrawn after public outcry on internal policies,” he adds.
Let’s take a look at some of the brands that have re-shaped their logos.
Sending out the message that social distancing is the only way to stop the spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus, McDonald’s Brazil changed the logo for the company on its official social media handles, separating the letter M, saying “Separados por um momento para estarmos sempre juntos” which translates to “separated for a moment to always be together.” The brand has recently extended the campaign in India and Pakistan as well.
The quick service restaurant chain, through its social handles including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, has urged citizens worldwide to stay indoors.
Meanwhile, Coca-Cola has changed its ad on Times Square billboard with letters spread apart in its spelling. The new tagline of the reads, “Staying apart is the best way to stay connected”.
According to reports, the changes will only be seen on Times billboard.
German multinational automotive manufacturing company Volkswagen and Audi are also changing their logos temporarily.
The iconic Volkswagen logo now has its ‘V’ and ‘W’ separated to project the distance that needs to be maintained in this crucial time. Audi has also done the same thing by separating the four rings that have been associated with the brand since the 1930’s.
Another brand joining the league is Swiss banana producer and distributor Chiquita Brands International. The company posted a new version of its logo without Miss Chiquita saying, ‘I’m already home. Please do the same and protect yourself’.
Argentina’s ecommerce platform, Mercado Libre, too, tweaked its logo, changing the shaking hands to elbow bumps.
Closer home, in India, Shopper’s Stop has launched a new creative logo, transforming its identity into a heart-and-infinity sign to salute and applaud frontline professionals for their dutiful actions during these tough times.
CARS24, a tech-enabled used car platform, has launched “Home24” campaign urging people to stay at home and spreading awareness around hygienic practices including washing hands and self-isolation. As part of this campaign, the company has tweaked its logo from ‘CARS24’ to ‘Home24’ to spread awareness about COVID 19 and conveying the importance of social distancing and ‘stay at home’. The logo has replaced the old logo of CARS24 on the company’s website and across all the social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Not just logo designs, brands are actively playing with their propositions to spread awareness during these tough times.
As published in USA Today, Nike is promoting social distancing through a new ad highlighting the importance of staying apart. The ad reads: “If you ever dreamed of playing for millions around the world, now is your chance. Play inside, play for the world.”
MUMBAI – Audi returns to the biggest night in American football with a musically-inspired, 60-second commercial called “Let It Go” featuring actor Maisie Williams. Williams takes the wheel of the all-new Audi e-tron Sportback to help kick off a global brand campaign about Audi’s long-term ambition to shape a new era of sustainable mobility. Created by global partner agency 72andSunny Amsterdam, the spot was directed by François Rousselet and marks the brand’s eleventh appearance at the game.
Launched during one of the world’s biggest cultural moments, the commercial follows Williams, a vocal advocate for action on climate change, as she sings her own interpretation of the hit song “Let It Go” from Disney’s “Frozen.” Oscar® and Grammy®-winning songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez penned “Let It Go” for the Oscar®-winning animated film “Frozen.”
In the ad, Williams gets behind the wheel of her Audi e-tron Sportback and finds herself stuck at an intersection, which represents a crossroads of today’s preconceptions and old notions of consumption, success, and status. Williams chooses to reverse course and leave it all behind, breaking into the familiar lyrics of “Let It Go” as she drives towards a more sustainable future. Along the way, fellow drivers, pedestrians, and others join in, representing the brand’s efforts to usher in a new era of sustainable mobility. The journey is a metaphor for how the decision to make more sustainable choices takes all of us doing our part.
Recorded by Williams at the acclaimed Abbey Road Studios in London, the reinterpretation of “Let It Go” lends a strong storytelling element to the ad. It is a new, more defiant take on a song that took the world by storm, but still showcases that transformation always starts with letting go of something old to create something new. In this case, moving toward a more sustainable future.
“The biggest night in American football, and one of the last truly live global television events, serves as the perfect moment to share our strategic path toward sustainable premium mobility with a worldwide audience,” said Sven Schuwirth, Head of Brand Audi, Digital Business and Customer Experience. “Maisie Williams is the perfect representative of how consumers are increasingly choosing, and advocating for, transportation options that are more sustainable. As a creative innovator, she perfectly embodies millions of peoples’ desires to make the transition to an electric future.”
“Creating a sustainable, livable future for generations to come is the world’s most important challenge. I’m proud to share Audi’s vision for sustainable mobility in this global brand campaign,” said Williams.
Recharging Vorsprung durch Technik This commercial is the first installment in a new global brand campaign from Audi aiming to recharge the “Vorsprung durch Technik” (Lead by Technology) tagline with new meaning. To strengthen and unify the brand promise, for the first time ever, the ad will also roll out across TV and social media channels in multiple markets including Germany, Italy, France, U.K., Spain, and China.
The ad also aims to plant a firm stake in the ground about the brand's ambition to unleash the beauty of sustainable mobility. Globally, Audi plans to introduce around 30 electrified vehicles by 2025, and that is only the starting point of a reinvention that will touch many brand-relevant topics that go beyond the car itself. Audi’s big ambition: to become a CO2-neutral company on balance by 2050. Many of the projects that will work to achieve these goals, such as the production plant for the Audi e-tron in Brussels, that has been certified as CO2-neutral, are
featured on audi.com/sustainability.
Over the course of this year, several additional chapters of the global brand campaign will cover strategic topics such as electrification, connectivity, customer experience, and design. The intention is to systematically rejuvenate the brand, and in particular, build awareness and attract new audiences by emphasizing topics like sustainable mobility as new forms of luxury.
Within the global Audi Group, this brand campaign project is being driven in an agile network with colleagues from all over the world. 72andSunny Amsterdam as a creative agency will be Audi’s global partner for the full campaign, which will roll out throughout 2020.
MUMBAI: Indian film director Karan Johar’s crowd-pleasing talk show Koffee with Karan came back with its sixth season earlier this week. The opening episode of the new season featured Alia Bhatt and Deepika Padukone.
The show airs on Star World, which is a part of Star India. According to Livemint, the broadcaster is anticipated to make around Rs 35-40 crore from sponsorship deals.
The list of the sponsors includes high profile brand names such as multimedia speaker Google Home which is the presenting sponsor of the show, ‘driven by’ German automobile manufacturer company Audi and ‘powered by’ telecom operator Idea. Jaquar, OPPO F9 Pro and L’Oreal Paris are the lifestyle, special and beauty partners for the show.
Speaking to Livemint, a Star spokesperson said, “As the longest running chat show on Indian television, Koffee With Karan sets new benchmarks with every new season creating unprecedented buzz and aggregating premium consumers across the television and digital platforms.”
“As such, brands are more than excited to leverage the show and create unique integrations that would excite their target audiences,” added the spokesperson.
The spokesperson also explained how they’ll use brand integrations during the show, like; the host Johar could use the Google Home features in between the show or in the rapid fire round, the questions could be read from an OPPO phone or a celebrity who gives the answer of the season in the rapid fire round could be awarded with an Audi.
Star is also looking to engage with the viewers through social network, as every week, viewers will have a chance to win autographed mugs of their favourite celebrities by participating in the Twitter contest held by Star World. The show will also offer an opportunity to be on the Koffee couch and field rapid fire questions from Johar through a Facebook camera innovation which will be captured on social media.
MUMBAI: German automobile company Audi’s CEO Rupert Stadler has been arrested on suspicion of fraud. The arrest has been made in connection with Audi’s parent company Volkswagen’s role in emissionsgate (dieselgate).
The Volkswagen emissions scandal began in September 2015, when the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a notice of violation of the Clean Air Act to German automaker Volkswagen Group.
The prosecutors’ office recently widened its emissions cheating probe to include Stadler among the suspects accused of fraud and false advertising. The prosecutors also said that the arrest of Stadler was essential as the investigators saw the risk of him trying to suppress evidence in the diesel emissions probe.
The agency found that Volkswagen had intentionally programmed turbocharged direct injection (TDI) diesel engines to activate their emissions controls only during laboratory emissions testing which caused the vehicles’ NOx (Nitrogen Oxides) output to meet US standards during regulatory testing, but emit up to 40 times more NOx in real-world driving.
Volkswagen deployed this programming software in about eleven million cars worldwide, and 500,000 in the United States, in model years 2009 through 2015.
Standler’s home was raided last week where Munich prosecutors based the arrest warrant on concealment of evidence.
Audi confirmed the news in a statement: “We confirm that Mr Stadler was arrested this morning. The hearing to determine whether he will be remanded is ongoing.”
Volkswagen has pleaded guilty to the criminal charges pressed against the company where two managers are serving prison time in US.
