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Tag: leadership appointment

  • Manas Lahiri back at Havas India as chief growth officer

    Manas Lahiri back at Havas India as chief growth officer

    MUMBAI: After years of charting remarkable successes across the advertising world, Manas Lahiri returns to where it all began—Havas India.

    In a move that echoes both nostalgia and forward momentum, Lahiri steps back into the fold as chief growth officer, poised to reignite the spark of innovation and propel the network to greater heights.

    A seasoned leader with a knack for transformative growth, Lahiri’s homecoming marks the beginning of a new chapter for one of India’s fastest-growing communications networks.

    Lahiri’s appointment marks his return to Havas India, where he previously served in multiple roles, including MD of Havas Creative India (formerly Havas Worldwide India), between 2018 and 2023. In his new role, Lahiri will collaborate closely with the executive leadership team and report to Havas India, SEA, and north Asia group CEO, Rana Barua.

    Barua welcomed Lahiri’s return, emphasising the significance of his role in the network’s growth trajectory, “Manas’ return to Havas India comes at a crucial time as we continue our strong momentum as a proven integrated and future-facing network. With Havas India’s phenomenal transformation over the past few years, we needed a proven leader to scale our growth ambitions further. Manas’ strategic acumen, extensive industry experience, and deep understanding of our network’s values make him the ideal choice to take on this role.”

    Prior to rejoining Havas India, Lahiri held the position of executive growth partner at VML India, where he played a pivotal role in expanding the agency’s presence and securing key accounts. His career spans over two decades across advertising, brand marketing, and business leadership, including roles at Ogilvy, McCann, and Contract India. Lahiri has worked with marquee brands such as Samsung, Amazon, Coca-Cola, and Reckitt, providing him with a holistic perspective on brand strategy and growth.

    Sharing his enthusiasm, Lahiri said, “I am thrilled to rejoin Havas India at such an exciting juncture. Havas has always been close to my heart, and the network’s journey of transformation into a consolidated, client-centric ecosystem is truly inspiring. I look forward to contributing to this next phase of growth by driving meaningful partnerships, fostering innovation, and building on the strong foundation created by Rana and the team.”

    An MBA graduate from Bangalore University, Lahiri began his career on the client side, working with brands like Motorola and Samsung in sales and marketing before transitioning to advertising. During his previous tenure at Havas Creative India, Lahiri played a critical role in reshaping the agency, driving business wins, and strengthening client relationships. His expertise lies in fostering growth strategies, building high-performing teams, and delivering integrated solutions that yield tangible results.

    This appointment underscores Havas India’s commitment to strengthening its leadership team and fostering innovation across its integrated network.

  • Hinduja Group appoints Amit Chincholikar as group president – HR

    Hinduja Group appoints Amit Chincholikar as group president – HR

    MUMBAI: The Hinduja Group has announced the appointment of Amit Chincholikar as its group president – human resources, effective 2 January 2025. He succeeds Amanppreet Singh Bhatia, who successfully led the HR function for five years before moving on.

    With over three decades of experience in human resources, Chincholikar is set to lead the Hinduja Group’s HR strategy, leadership development, and transformation initiatives. His illustrious career spans diverse industries and geographies, including India, the United States, and Singapore.

    In addition to his HR acumen, Chincholikar has successfully led functions such as sustainability, environmental, social, and governance (ESG), corporate communications, and business excellence in previous roles.

    Before joining the Hinduja Group, Chincholikar served as the global chief human resources officer at Yokohama Off-Highway Tires (OHT). His career highlights include significant contributions at Tata Consumer Products, Tata Sons Limited, Aditya Birla Group (ABG), and Mercer Human Resource Consulting.

    Chincholikar’s ability to design and execute transformative HR practices has positioned him as a sought-after leader in the field.

    Amit Chincholikar holds a Master’s degree from the Symbiosis Institute of Business Management and a Bachelor’s degree in science, specialising in statistics and operations research, from Bombay University.

    The Hinduja Group expressed confidence in Chincholikar’s ability to drive its HR vision forward. His leadership is expected to strengthen the group’s focus on employee engagement, sustainability, and business excellence, aligning with its mission to foster growth and innovation across its global operations.

  • Haldiram Foods appoints Nitesh G as VP of sales

    Haldiram Foods appoints Nitesh G as VP of sales

    MUMBAI: After decades of driving sales across the FMCG sector, a seasoned veteran is embarking on a new chapter.

    Nitesh G, a stalwart in the fast-moving consumer goods industry and former chief business officer, has taken on the mantle of vice president of sales at Haldiram Foods International Ltd. Known for his strategic acumen and unmatched expertise, Nitesh’s appointment in December 2024 signals a bold move by the iconic Indian brand to further solidify its leadership in the competitive food market.

    Nitesh announced his new role on LinkedIn, stating, “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Vice President of Sales at Haldiram Foods International Ltd.”

    With over two decades in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, Nitesh brings a wealth of experience to Haldiram’s. Prior to this appointment, he served as CBO at Mrs. Bectors Food Specialities Ltd, overseeing brands such as Cremica and English Oven.

    Nitesh’s career includes significant roles at Cream Bell Ice Cream, Britannia Industries Limited, and Vodafone, where he honed his expertise in sales and business development.

    In his new position, Nitesh will spearhead Haldiram’s sales strategies, aiming to expand market reach and strengthen the brand’s presence in the competitive snack-food industry.

  • Former Nestlé leader Gaurav Kwatra joins iD Fresh Food as CMO

    Former Nestlé leader Gaurav Kwatra joins iD Fresh Food as CMO

    MUMBAI: After a remarkable 12-year journey of crafting impactful campaigns and shaping industry narratives, marketing veteran Gaurav Kwatra has stepped into a new leadership chapter. Kwatra has been appointed chief marketing officer (CMO) at iD Fresh Food, a leader in fresh and natural food products. Tasked with elevating the brand’s market presence, Kwatra will drive strategic marketing initiatives, fuel customer engagement, and spearhead the company’s ambitious market expansion plans.

    Bringing over two decades of leadership experience in FMCG, Kwatra has a proven track record in brand strategy, product innovation, and market growth. Prior to joining iD Fresh, he held senior positions at Nestlé India, including business head and marketing manager – beverages, where he played a pivotal role in launching key products, accelerating innovation, and driving sustained business growth.

    Kwatra began his career at Britannia Industries as an area sales manager and quickly climbed the ranks to become group product manager. During this period, he honed skills in market segmentation, product marketing, team leadership, and strategic brand development, laying the foundation for his success in the FMCG sector.

    At iD Fresh, Kwatra’s focus will be on leveraging data-driven strategies, strengthening iD’s position in existing markets, and driving customer-centric innovations to accelerate the company’s expansion. His appointment reflects iD Fresh’s commitment to scaling operations while continuing to deliver fresh, high-quality, and preservative-free food solutions to households globally.

  • Jaskaran Singh Kapany joins MobiKwik as chief marketing officer

    Jaskaran Singh Kapany joins MobiKwik as chief marketing officer

    Mumbai: MobiKwik proudly announces the appointment of Jaskaran Singh Kapany as its new chief marketing officer (CMO). In his new role, Kapany will spearhead strategic growth initiatives, collaborate with exceptional colleagues, and contribute to MobiKwik’s vision of revolutionising digital payments and financial services in India.

    With an impressive track record in marketing leadership roles, Kapany’s expertise will play a pivotal role in furthering MobiKwik’s commitment to transforming the digital finance landscape. His appointment underscores the company’s focus on innovation and customer-centric strategies to strengthen its position as a leader in digital payments. MobiKwik remains dedicated to enhancing financial inclusivity and delivering cutting-edge payment solutions that simplify lives across India.

  • Vipin Unni joins OTT platform Aha as chief marketing officer

    Vipin Unni joins OTT platform Aha as chief marketing officer

    Mumbai: In a strategic move to enhance its market footprint, Aha, the popular regional OTT platform, has appointed Vipin Unni as its chief marketing officer (CMO). Unni’s appointment comes as Aha seeks to elevate its brand positioning and tap into a larger audience base in an increasingly competitive streaming industry.

    Unni, renowned for his expertise in leading marketing strategies at Airtel, Reliance, and Star TV, brings a strong track record in digital marketing and brand expansion to Aha. He has spearheaded initiatives that seamlessly integrate innovative marketing approaches with profound consumer insights. Previously, Unni held pivotal leadership positions, refining his ability to thrive in the fast-paced digital environment.

    The appointment is timely as competition among streaming platforms intensifies, with companies vying for the attention of regional audiences who increasingly prefer local language content. Unni’s leadership could propel Aha to expand its subscription base and fortify its brand presence across South India and beyond.

    The OTT platform has been focusing on high-quality original content, and Unni’s marketing acumen will be crucial in positioning these offerings effectively.

  • QYOU Media elevates Karan Pherwani & Mrunali Dedhia to vice president of Chtrbox

    QYOU Media elevates Karan Pherwani & Mrunali Dedhia to vice president of Chtrbox

    Mumbai: QYOU media subsidiary Chtrbox has announced the promotion of Mrunali Dedhia and Karan Pherwani to further strengthen its leadership team.

    Dedhia and Pherwani have both been crucial in building Chtrbox to its nationwide position as a leader in influencer marketing and creator talent management. In their new roles, they will further innovate and scale-up Chtrbox’s creator-powered marketing solutions across India while driving synergies with QYOU’s influencer marketing group in the US.

    Dedhia and Pherwani have been heading key growth and servicing divisions at Chtrbox, including managing a team of over 60 influencer marketing and creator content specialists. Their expertise in the domain has led to award-winning work and the successful execution of thousands of creator-led campaigns by Chtrbox over the past six years.

    Pherwani comes with over 10 years of strong experience in India’s new-age media and entertainment industry, including being the leader behind the 2021 launch of Chtrbox’s talent management unit, Chtrbox Represent.

    Dedhia was Chtrbox’s first team member in 2016, and through her six intrapreneurial years with Chtrbox, she has successfully grown multiple influencer marketing divisions, key partnerships, and responsibilities for the company.

    “I have had the fortune and freedom to grow with Chtrbox over the past four-plus years. With such talented creators and teams around us, we believe we’ve only scratched the surface of what lies ahead. I’m excited to co-lead the growth and create even far more compelling offerings for brands, creators, and audiences alike,” said Pherwani.

    While sharing her experience of working with Chtrbox, Dedhia shared, “It’s been a tremendous ride with Chtrbox, from helping build and grow the team from the ground up, to consistently working with some of the best creators and brands-P&G, Amazon, HP, Cred, etc. I am looking forward to this new role and scaling QYOU & Chtrbox’s great work further.”

    Chtrbox CEO & co-founder Pranay Swarup added, “We are ecstatic to elevate Karan and Mrunali to their new roles. As we grow towards increased international capabilities with the QYOU influencer marketing team in the US, they are perfect to lead synergies there as well as continue to grow depth with our India business. They are true influencer marketing experts and path-breaking leaders, and we believe they will thrive in their new roles.”