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Tag: digital marketing

  • Shiv Raheja takes charge of e-commerce and quick commerce at Society Tea

    Shiv Raheja takes charge of e-commerce and quick commerce at Society Tea

    MUMBAI: Shiv Raheja has been elevated to head of digital marketing – e-commerce and quick commerce at Society Tea, marking a significant milestone in his nearly six-year journey with the Mumbai-based FMCG brand.
    Raheja, who joined the company in November 2019, has steadily climbed the ranks from digital marketing manager to senior manager – digital and e-commerce, and now assumes full leadership of the brand’s digital commerce and growth strategies.

    With a decade-plus track record across high-growth sectors like FMCG, OTT and retail, Raheja has worked with marquee companies including Nature’s Basket, Hotstar and Gold’s Gym. At Hotstar, he was instrumental in converting blue-chip brands like Apple, Reliance Jio and Bajaj Auto into digital-first advertisers, while also bringing LIC onboard for the Rio Olympics in 2016.

    Known for his innovative integration campaigns and knack for driving customer acquisition at scale, Raheja is now tasked with accelerating Society Tea’s digital revenue and strengthening its footprint across e-commerce and q-commerce platforms.

    Raheja’s appointment comes as Society Tea looks to sharpen its focus on digital-first distribution in a rapidly evolving tea and beverages market.

  • Hashtag Orange lands Roca India digital brief, flush with plans to boost online presence

    Hashtag Orange lands Roca India digital brief, flush with plans to boost online presence

    MUMBAI: Bathroom brilliance just met browser muscle. In a digital leap, Roca India has appointed Gurugram-based Hashtag Orange to lead its online brand transformation. Announced on 22 April, the mandate comes with a full-stack remit: digital storytelling, data-fuelled media planning, and an SEO strategy built to soak up search traffic like a Roca basin.

    With over 100 years of global expertise in sanitaryware, Roca is hardly a new name in Indian households. But as digital becomes the new showroom, the brand has turned to Hashtag Orange to build visibility, engagement and recall in the minds of modern consumers who shop, scroll and scrutinise online.

    “Roca is more than a brand; it’s a name that has established quality, innovation, and design excellence in the world of bathroom solutions for decades. We aim to enhance this legacy in the digital world by developing strategies that connect with digital-first consumers today in the Indian market. At Hashtag Orange, we are committed to the potential of stories and technology, and with Roca, we have a thrilling chance to merge both into one to fuel engagement, awareness, and growth,” said Hashtag Orange founder Mukesh Vij.

    Roca India head of brand marketing Vikrant Choudhary added, “Consumer behaviour is evolving rapidly, and online presence has never been more powerful. At Roca India, we’ve always believed in innovation—not only in our products but also in how we engage with our consumers. Our collaboration with Hashtag Orange couldn’t have come at a more opportune moment, as it aligns with our mission to create stronger relationships, drive recall, and apply data-driven intelligence to inform our digital destiny. We are eager to see this collaboration bring about a significant and compelling digital presence.”

    The brand film, slated to roll out across digital channels, will spotlight Roca’s legacy, product excellence, and sustainability ethos. Beyond eye-candy campaigns, the partnership aims to harness customer insights and performance analytics to keep the conversation flowing—not just around taps, but around touchpoints.

    In a landscape where every scroll counts, Roca is betting that its digital revamp will help it maintain category leadership, while Hashtag Orange looks to turn clicks into conversions and eyeballs into enduring brand love.

     

  • Herkey appoints digital marketing veteran Wasim Sayed as VP to boost growth and brand strategy

    Herkey appoints digital marketing veteran Wasim Sayed as VP to boost growth and brand strategy

    MUMBAI: Imagine navigating a career maze with a handy GPS—sounds dreamy, right? Enter Herkey, the AI-powered fairy godmother dedicated to empowering professional women, now adding an extra turbo boost named Wasim Sayed to drive user growth and marketing. If growth hacking had a face, it’s about to get Wasim’s grin stamped all over it.

    Announced on 18 March 2025, Herkey welcomed Wasim Sayed as its new vice president of growth and marketing. His mission? To turn Herkey’s impressive strides into leaps that’d make even Olympians jealous. Sayed, who comes equipped with 17 years of wizardry in digital and product marketing, will oversee initiatives to amplify user engagement, fine-tune customer acquisition, and supercharge the brand’s presence.

    Throughout his impressive career journey—think growth-stage startups, dazzling unicorns, and even Fortune 500 giants—Sayed has consistently nailed the art of growth. He knows how to turn great ideas into thriving realities, whether it’s B2B or B2C, using his secret sauce of data-driven strategies and razor-sharp market insights.

    “I am excited to join Herkey at a pivotal stage of its journey. The platform has already made significant strides in enabling women’s career advancement, and I look forward to driving innovative marketing and growth strategies to further this mission,” Sayed shared.

    Herkey founder & CEO Neha Bagaria adds, “Wasim’s appointment comes at a time when organisations are increasingly prioritizing helping women advance their careers and increase their earning potential, making Herkey’s role in career enablement for women more relevant than ever.” Translation: They’ve hired the right guy at exactly the right time.

    Why should you care? Because Herkey isn’t just another platform—it’s practically your personal career coach on steroids. And now, with Sayed’s expert navigation, expect this platform to unlock doors faster than you can say ‘promotion’.

  • Dabur sticks with Starcom, retains Rs 500 crore media mandate in bold move

    Dabur sticks with Starcom, retains Rs 500 crore media mandate in bold move

    MUMBAI: In the high-stakes world of media accounts, loyalty is a rare commodity—but not for Dabur India. According to sources, the FMCG powerhouse has doubled down on its long-standing partnership with Starcom India, keeping the agency on board for its Rs 500 crore media mandate while merging its digital responsibilities under one roof. If this isn’t a power move, what is?

    Dabur first appointed Starcom as its media agency back in 2015, taking control away from multiple agencies. Since then, the two have built a formidable partnership, and this latest decision signals unwavering trust in Starcom’s capabilities. Industry sources peg the retained account’s value between Rs 450 crore and Rs 500 crore, making it one of the biggest wins in recent advertising history.

    Starcom isn’t the only player to have handled Dabur’s digital business. Dentsu X was entrusted with its digital mandate in April 2022, while Digidarts was recently roped in to fine-tune aspects of the company’s online strategy. But with this consolidation, Dabur appears to be streamlining its media operations under a single agency, ensuring tighter control and a sharper strategic focus.

    Dabur, a titan in hair care, oral care, healthcare, skincare, home care, and food & beverages, has kept a close eye on its advertising expenses. Its Q3 FY2025 ad spend stood at Rs 226 crore, down 7.9 per cent from the Rs 244 crore spent in the same quarter last year. This marks the second consecutive quarter of muted ad expenditure, following Rs 225 crore spent during the previous festive season in Q2 2025.

    Despite a more conservative ad budget, Dabur’s financials remained strong. The company’s net income for Q3 FY2025 saw a 2 per cent rise, reaching Rs 516 crore from Rs 506 crore in the previous year. Meanwhile, operating revenue climbed 3 per cent, hitting Rs 3,355 crore, up from Rs 3,255 crore in the same quarter last year.

    With Starcom at the helm, Dabur’s advertising playbook is getting a strategic revamp. 

  • Om Jha levels up: From Pepsico prodigy to global media maestro

    Om Jha levels up: From Pepsico prodigy to global media maestro

    MUMBAI: Five and a half years ago, Om Jha took his first sip of Pepsico’s high-energy corporate culture—nervous, excited, and ready to shake things up. Now, with a portfolio of impactful marketing, media, and data-driven campaigns under his belt, he is stepping into the future with a brand-new role in the company’s global media & transformation team. From Gurgaon to Plano, Texas, Jha’s journey has been nothing short of fizz-tastic. But what’s next? Let’s pop the cap and find out.

    “I was stepping in to do something I had never done before,” Jha reminisced about his early days at Pepsico. “Thanks to Vishal Kaul for hiring me and introducing me to the world of possibilities, and thanks to George Kovoor and Anshul Khanna for letting me define my own role with every passing year.”

    Jha didn’t just dip his toes into the Pepsico pool—he dived in headfirst. As head of media & partnerships (2019–2022), he spearheaded efforts to connect Pepsico’s legendary brands with consumers using a potent mix of media, data, and technology. He led high-stakes advertising and marketing negotiations, ensuring every penny squeezed out more efficiency and effectiveness.

    By 2022, he stepped up as director – media, data, marketing capabilities & partnerships. Here, he architected a robust first-party data-led marketing infrastructure, setting the stage for cutting-edge digital campaigns and award-winning brand partnerships.

    Fast forward to March 2025, and Jha is now embracing his biggest role yet—director of global media capabilities. This new challenge places him at the intersection of global strategy and transformation, a role tailor-made for someone who thrives on the ever-evolving media landscape.

    But Pepsico is just one stop in Jha’s dynamic career. Before this, he was assistant vice president – customer strategy at Disney Star (2018-2019), where he led the strategy vertical for the northern region, handling TV and digital ad sales revenue across multiple entertainment portfolios. Prior to that, he spent nearly two years as senior director – strategy at GroupM, simplifying media and technology for brands while driving insights-based performance marketing.

    Jha’s journey also took him through the telecom world. At Airtel (2015-2016), he headed business planning & consumer insights for the Delhi circle, overseeing operational strategy, financial planning, and product pricing. Before that, he honed his consulting expertise at KPMG India (2014-2015), managing large-scale business transformation projects.

    His early career included a five-year stint at Idea Cellular Ltd, where he worked as chief of staff in the MD’s office, focusing on corporate strategy and operations. He also gained experience in engineering and manufacturing at Mahindra Group (2005-2007), before transitioning into business roles.

    “A huge thank you to Shyam Venugopal and Abhishek Jadon for this opportunity,” Jha said, his excitement as palpable as the fizz in a freshly opened Pepsi can.

    Corporate careers are a bit like carbonated drinks—always under pressure, occasionally shaken, but ultimately, they’re all about making a splash. And if Jha’s track record is anything to go by, he’s about to pop the lid on something truly groundbreaking.

  • NP Digital India ropes in Venkata Gavaskar Dontha from iProspect India

    NP Digital India ropes in Venkata Gavaskar Dontha from iProspect India

    MUMBAI: The performance-driven digital marketing agency, NP Digital India, has welcomed Venkata Gavaskar Dontha as its new head of digital operations. Armed with over 17 years of expertise in performance marketing, SEO, social media, and analytics, he’s stepping in to lead client growth, revenue expansion, and the next wave of digital innovation tailored for the Indian market.

    Venkata joins NP Digital India from iProspect India, where he helmed the performance practice, driving cross-functional teams to award-winning success. His strategic vision helped the agency bag prestigious Agency of the Year titles, cementing his status as a digital marketing trailblazer. Now, at NP Digital India, he’s all set to shake things up.

    The appointment of Venkata is part of NP Digital India’s aggressive growth strategy. Over the past few months, the company has strategically onboarded two senior leaders, reinforcing its commitment to expanding global digital solutions in India.

    “We are thrilled to welcome Venkata to our leadership team. His remarkable expertise will be key to our strategy of integrating technology-driven digital services and SEO, enabling us to deliver global products in the Indian market. In fact, over the last couple of months, we have strategically onboarded two leadership positions to strengthen our executive team and accelerate our growth. This is just the beginning of a transformative phase for NP Digital India,” said NP Digital India CEO & co-founder Prady.

    Venkata, too, is ready to hit the ground running. “I have always admired the digital marketing insights of Neil Patel. Now, joining NP Digital India gives me a unique opportunity to both learn and apply my existing experience within a company that embodies an innovative, ahead-of-the-curve approach. I’m excited to transform digital challenges into creative, performance-driven solutions for our clients,” he said.

    NP Digital India is on a mission to dominate the digital marketing space, and bringing in leaders like Venkata only strengthens its commitment to innovation and client success. With his expertise, the company aims to drive operational excellence, expand revenue streams, and continue leading the charge in digital marketing’s technological evolution.

  • Akshay Gurnani steps down as Schbang CEO, gears up for next big leap

    Akshay Gurnani steps down as Schbang CEO, gears up for next big leap

    MUMBAI: For most, Mondays mean emails, meetings, and caffeine-fuelled survival. But for Akshay Gurnani, this Monday was different-it marked the end of a decade-long journey as co-founder & CEO of Schbang and the beginning of a brand-new adventure.

    “Ten years. A whole decade. A long time, yet in the larger picture of life, just a small fraction,” reflects Gurnani. “And yet, these 10 years have been nothing short of transformative.”

    Gurnani co-founded Schbang at just 25 years old, fuelled by the ambition to build something from the ground up. Along with his fellow co-founders, he set out to redefine the marketing landscape and provide cutting-edge solutions to clients. Under his leadership, Schbang scaled to a 1,100+ member team across Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, London, and Amsterdam, servicing over 200 brands globally. His relentless commitment propelled the agency to become one of the most sought-after creative powerhouses in the industry.

    From the boardroom to the brainstorming room, Gurnani’s leadership has been marked by resilience, innovation, and the sheer audacity to push creative boundaries. Schbang executed award-winning campaigns for Pidilite, Perfetti, Godrej Consumer Products, Tata Consumer, L’Oréal Group, Finolex Pipes, Ashok Leyland, Crompton, Castrol, Baskin Robbins, Philips, and more. Beyond building a successful agency, he fostered a community—mentors, teammates, industry peers, and clients who became friends.

    “More than anything, Schbang has been about the people, the culture. The teammates who turned into family. The mentors I looked up to. The clients who became partners (many now good friends) and believed in us. Each one of you has left a mark, and for that, I am eternally grateful.”

    While one chapter closes, another unfolds. Gurnani isn’t slowing down—he’s simply switching lanes. His next phase will focus on business transformation, mentoring startups, investing in game-changing ideas, and empowering young students. He aims to help brands and agencies on a hyper-growth trajectory in India and the UAE, leveraging his expertise in digital marketing, AI, media, and technology.

    “As business landscapes evolve and consumer behaviours shift, client needs are changing rapidly. My focus is on eliminating redundancies and prioritising services that deliver business value,” he shares. “Digital transformation isn’t just about technology—it requires a deep understanding of a client’s business and a partnership-driven approach to drive meaningful change.”

    Having worked with Fortune 500 brands, Gurnani has developed a keen eye for identifying inflection points where inefficiencies arise. His goal is to go beyond vanity metrics, dive deeper into digital transformation, and help brands achieve sharper outcomes powered by the right human resources, media, and technology.

    During his time at Schbang, Gurnani was also recognised with numerous 30 Under 30 awards and named among India’s Top 50 Content Marketing Professionals.

    “It’s not a goodbye, it’s just a shift in gears because if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the last 10 years, it’s that new ideas, new journeys, and new beginnings are always around the corner.”

    Schbang may have started as a bold idea, but its legacy continues. And so does Gurnani’s next great adventure.

  • Sudeep Subash named CEO of Big Bang Social

    Sudeep Subash named CEO of Big Bang Social

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Hack the ad spend: AAAI challenges marketers to optimise budgets smarter

    Hack the ad spend: AAAI challenges marketers to optimise budgets smarter

    MUMBAI: The advertising world is no stranger to budgets vanishing into thin air. Enter the AAAI Ad Spend Optimizer Hackathon—an electrifying initiative under the Waves Create India Challenge, where number crunchers, data wizards, and marketing maestros are set to redefine ad spend efficiency. Hosted by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) in collaboration with the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI), the hackathon promises to shake up the world of advertising analytics.

    With 35 eager teams—one even joining from overseas—this hackathon is gaining serious traction. Slated to be a part of the much-anticipated World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (Waves), the event is set to unfold from 1–4 May 2025 at Mumbai’s Jio World Convention Centre & Jio World Gardens. With four core pillars—broadcasting & infotainment, AVGC-XR, digital media & innovation, and films—Waves aims to be the melting pot for India’s growing media and entertainment industry.

    The hackathon falls under the broadcasting & infotainment segment, drawing participation from young professionals in advertising, marketing, and tech. Their mission? To use predictive analytics, machine learning, and statistical modelling to optimise ad spend and supercharge marketing ROI.

    This is no cakewalk. The challenge is open to professionals with at least a year of experience in advertising, marketing, or data science. Solo players or teams of up to three can compete, bringing together expertise in data science, machine learning, statistics, and software.

    Their task? To devise an ad spend strategy for TrimMaster, a leading male grooming brand with its flagship PrecisionTrim trimmer. Despite its popularity, the brand is struggling to push its awareness to the next level. Currently, TrimMaster’s unaided awareness score sits at 52. The goal? A solid 75. With a budget of Rs 2 crore, participants must craft a strategy that not only maximises visibility but also delivers measurable impact.

    TrimMaster

    TrimMaster’s marketing team faces an uphill battle, including:

    . Effective budget allocation: Deciphering the best mix of social, search, display, and video ads while accurately measuring impact.

    .   Measuring brand lift: Developing better metrics to gauge how digital ads truly influence brand perception.

    .   Maximising ROI: Ensuring every rupee spent results in substantial brand awareness and sales growth.

    .   Cross-channel synergy: Understanding how different platforms interact and influence each other.

    Winners won’t just bask in glory. The top three teams will present their strategies at Waves, with travel expenses covered. On top of that, the champions will get a chance to attend major advertising festivals and conferences in India, fully sponsored by AAAI. Oh, and let’s not forget the bragging rights.

    AAAI

    The AAAI Ad Spend Optimizer Hackathon is not just another competition. It’s a unique opportunity for professionals to challenge the norms, innovate ad spend strategies, and help brands like TrimMaster break through the noise. With artificial intelligence and data analytics at their fingertips, participants have the tools to redefine advertising in India and beyond.

    Think you’ve got what it takes? Get ready to crunch numbers, outsmart competitors, and craft the future of ad optimisation.
     

  • Manish Kumar reveals V4B.ai: The future of AI-powered content creation

    Manish Kumar reveals V4B.ai: The future of AI-powered content creation

    MUMBAI: Digital visionary and entrepreneur Manish Kumar, the brains behind the SS Yoga App by Shilpa Shetty Kundra and Digi-Osmosis, has launched his latest venture: V4B.ai, an AI-powered content agency revolutionising branded content creation. With sales offices in the UK, UAE, and USA, V4B.ai aims to redefine how businesses produce content—efficiently, affordably, and at scale.

    V4B.ai eliminates the need for traditional actors and video shoots by leveraging a cutting-edge blend of AI platforms, CGI, Unreal Engine, and motion capture technology. The agency delivers high-quality, scalable, and cost-effective business content solutions that cater to an ever-demanding digital audience.

    At its core, V4B.ai transforms communication with its AI-powered, multi-lingual audio-video-chatbot. This smart digital assistant replaces outdated text-based chatbots, customer service centres, and FAQ pages, acting as a 24/7 sales and training tool that offers seamless, human-like interactions.

    The agency boasts an extensive library of 75 exclusive AI actors, ranging from hyper-real meta-humans and CGI-powered 3D characters to nostalgic toon mascots. These AI-driven avatars enable businesses to create engaging content at unprecedented speeds.

    V4B.ai also provides a groundbreaking service—AI cloning. Individuals and brands that struggle with time and financial cManish Kumaronstraints can now create content effortlessly using their AI avatars, allowing them to communicate in multiple languages without ever stepping in front of a camera.

    Speaking on the launch, Kumar shared his vision, “India has long held a leadership position in business process outsourcing (BPO). Now, we have the opportunity to dominate a new industry—business content outsourcing (BCO).”

    He further explained, “Marketing and branding have always been vital for businesses, but in today’s fast-moving digital world, video content has become non-negotiable. With shrinking attention spans and skyrocketing content consumption, our goal is to make video creation affordable for SMEs and scalable for large enterprises.”

    The AI-driven agency provides businesses with an innovative way to produce diverse content, including training videos, sales pitches, service guides, product showcases, social media clips, educational materials, and even fashion and e-commerce visuals—all without the need for physical shoots.

    With a presence in multiple countries and an expanding client base across India, Europe, and the Middle East, V4B.ai has already begun making an impact. Multi-ethnic AI actors speaking various languages ensure that brands can localise their messaging at scale.

    The company has set an ambitious target: securing one per cent of the global branded AI-content market, which is projected to reach US$ 5.2 billion by 2026. With its unique production model and cutting-edge AI integration, V4B.ai is well on its way to becoming a leader in the AI-powered content revolution.

    Before launching V4B.ai, Kumar held key leadership positions in major entertainment and digital firms, including Red Chillies Entertainment and Kolkata Knight Riders, where he served as chief marketing & digital officer. His career spans over two decades, starting as the brand custodian at TVS Motors and Kinetic Honda, before becoming head of content marketing at Hungama Digital.

    With V4B.ai, Kumar has once again positioned himself at the forefront of digital transformation, setting new benchmarks in AI-driven content creation.