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Tag: Mercedes-Benz India

  • Atul Projects builds its brand with new marketing head

    Atul Projects builds its brand with new marketing head

    MUMBAI: Looks like Atul Projects just got a solid foundation for its next big story. The Mumbai-based real estate developer has appointed Piyush Niljikar as its head of marketing, signalling a brand reboot built on creativity, strategy, and legacy.

    With over 15 years of experience across advertising and real estate, Piyush brings a blend of creative and commercial flair. He’s led campaigns at Creativeland Asia and WYP Worldwide, shaping brands such as Mercedes-Benz India, Godrej Cinthol, United Colors of Benetton, Zee5, Arrow and TAJ Group. In real estate, his standout achievement was driving a sell-out in just 18 months at CCI Projects, followed by an award-winning stint at Ashwin Sheth Group, where he led the buzzworthy Spot The Orange Dot campaign.

    “Piyush’s deep understanding of brand building and integrated marketing aligns perfectly with our vision of redefining luxury living through innovation and quality,” said Atul Projects managing director  Aakash Patel. “His leadership will be key in amplifying our brand presence and delivering impactful, customer-centric campaigns.”

    On his new role, Piyush said, “Atul Projects has a proud legacy built on trust and transparency. I’m thrilled to shape a brand narrative that resonates deeply with homebuyers while driving real business growth.”

    As Atul Projects expands its residential footprint across the MMR region, Piyush’s appointment marks the start of a new chapter, one where legacy meets modern marketing muscle, and every campaign is built to last.

     

  • GST set to star as Network18 reloads reforms with economic power summit

    GST set to star as Network18 reloads reforms with economic power summit

    MUMBAI: When it comes to India’s growth story, the script is being rewritten and Network18 is handing the nation a sneak peek. On 22 September 2025, Delhi will host Reforms Reloaded 2025, a high-impact summit designed to unpack the country’s most pressing economic questions. With GST 2.0, Aatmanirbharta, Make in India, and Vision 2030 taking centre stage, the event promises to bring together the sharpest minds from government, industry, and diplomacy to map India’s next big leap.

    The summit will feature sector-specific dialogues on how the latest GST reforms are reshaping industries from manufacturing and e-commerce to services and hospitality. At the same time, big-picture conversations will tackle themes like public relief, governance, and international cooperation.
    A star-studded line-up

    Network18 has assembled a heavyweight speaker list that reads like India’s economic Avengers. Among those taking the stage are:

    ●    V. Anantha Nageswaran, chief economic advisor, GoI

    ●    Rajesh Kumar Singh, IAS, defence secretary of India

    ●    Arunish Chawla, secretary, DIPAM

    ●    Ambassador Anil Sooklal, South African high commissioner to India

    ●    Benedikt Höskuldsson, ambassador of Iceland to India

    ●    Kimmo Lähdevirta, ambassador of Finland to India

    ●    Amitabh Kant, ex-G20 sherpa & former CEO, NITI Aayog

    ●    Rajiv Memani, president, CII & chairman & CEO, EY India

    ●    V. Vaidyanathan, MD & CEO, IDFC First Bank

    ●    Santosh Iyer, MD & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India

    ●    Nilesh Shah, MD, Kotak Mahindra Asset Management

    ●    Utpal Sheth, founder & mentor, Trust group

    ●    Atul Suri, CEO, Marathon Trends Advisory

    ●    Shashi Shekhar Vempati, co-founder, Deeptech for Bharat

    ●    Vivek Mishra, co-founder & CEO, Raphe Mphibr

    This eclectic mix of economists, policymakers, diplomats, and CEOs will explore everything from macro reforms to micro impact ensuring the conversation spans boardrooms, trading floors, and households alike.

    “Reforms Reloaded 2025 is a platform that brings together India’s top minds to discuss the next chapter of India’s economic journey,” said Network18 CEO for (broadcast) & MD, A+E Networks | TV18 Avinash Kaul. “Global shifts and tech disruption are transforming industries. This summit will highlight how inclusive reforms can empower a self-reliant India.”

    Echoing the sentiment Network18 group chief strategy officer Puneet Singhvi said: “The latest GST reforms have put the spotlight back on Make in India and Vision 2030. By uniting policymakers and business leaders, Reforms Reloaded will spark fresh thinking and deliver practical solutions to unlock opportunities across manufacturing, services, e-commerce, and beyond.”

    The day-long summit, starting 11:00 am onwards, will air live on Network18 channels, giving viewers a front-row seat to the ideas shaping India’s economic destiny. With GST spends and compliance challenges in focus, the summit aims to provide both vision and actionable roadmaps bridging policy intent with ground realities.

    For a nation chasing high growth while balancing global uncertainties, Reforms Reloaded 2025 promises not just a conversation but a compass: charting how India can move from reform to resilience, and from resilience to reinvention.

  • Disruption edition Forbes India turns sweet sixteen with giant strides

    Disruption edition Forbes India turns sweet sixteen with giant strides

    MUMBAI: Who says turning sixteen can’t come with serious swagger? Forbes India has marked its 16th anniversary not with cake and candles, but with a hard-hitting, forward-looking special edition titled Giant Strides, a tribute to the power of disruption as the engine of transformation. Themed around seismic shifts shaping the country’s economy, society and culture, the commemorative issue brings together some of India’s sharpest minds and boldest voices.

    From boardrooms to Olympic podiums, this edition rounds up a powerhouse lineup: Mercedes-Benz India CEO Santosh Iyer, Tata Power Praveer Sinha, Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani, Info Edge Sanjeev Bikhchandani, Mahindra Rajesh Jejurikar, Zydus Group Sharvil Patel, and even Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra, who steps in to talk about mental health and elite sport.

    The essays span everything from clean energy to AI, manufacturing to healthcare, charting India’s reinvention across sectors. These aren’t just nostalgic reflections; they’re bold blueprints for the road ahead, a call to embrace reinvention with urgency, clarity and intent.

    Ditching its usual cover design, the issue features a striking new visual identity, a bold aesthetic shift that mirrors the theme of transformation itself. It’s disruption, by design.

    In keeping with Forbes India’s mission since its 2009 debut, this edition doubles down on future-forward storytelling, shining a light on the entrepreneurs, thinkers and leaders driving the next chapter of India’s growth. Because in the age of disruption, standing still isn’t an option, it’s a liability.

    You can grab a copy at your nearest newsstand or digitally. But don’t expect a nostalgia fest. This is not a rear-view mirror moment, it’s a periscope into possibility.

    Sixteen years in, and Forbes India is still writing tomorrow’s headlines today.

  • Salt just got tastier as Sudeep Puthyathaya steps in as executive creative director

    Salt just got tastier as Sudeep Puthyathaya steps in as executive creative director

    MUMBAI: Just when you thought salt was merely seasoning your fries, along comes Salt Brand Solutions, sprinkling some creative magic into its leadership pot. Picture this: seasoned storyteller Sudeep Puthyathaya struts into Salt’s Mumbai office, bringing with him over 23 years of crafting iconic brand stories and enough creative spice to make even a bland briefing taste delicious. Could this be the recipe for ‘Salt 2.0’ we’ve all been waiting for?

    On 11 March 2025, Salt Brand Solutions announced the hiring of Puthyathaya as its new executive creative director, joining the existing duo—executive director Sagar Mahabaleshwarkar and director Mahesh Chauhan (Mash)—who’ve been shaking things up for quite some time.

    Welcoming the newest spice in Salt’s creative curry, Mash said, “This is a significant step towards further strengthening Salt’s creative leadership.” He further added, “with Sagar, Sudeep, and me coming together, it definitely will add great value to our clients, and this makes me truly excited for Salt 2.0.” Indeed, what good is curry without the right spices?

    Echoing his sentiments, Mahabaleshwarkar remarked, “Sudeep brings a deep understanding of storytelling that connects with real people. His craft in creating human insight-led narratives perfectly complements the creative force we are building at Salt.” Translation? Expect ads that tug at your heartstrings—or at least your purse strings.

    Puthyathaya isn’t exactly new to the storytelling circus. Having juggled creative campaigns for bigwigs like Mercedes-Benz India, Taj Hotels, Royal Enfield, J&J, and Citibank, he’s now ready to spice things up at Salt. With a passion for ‘human-centred narratives’, his style is less boardroom monotony and more Netflix binge-worthy storytelling.

    “I’ve always believed that the most powerful brands are built on stories that resonate at a human level,” Puthyathaya said. “Salt’s culture of bold, insight-driven thinking is a perfect fit for the kind of work I want to create. I’m excited to collaborate with Mash and Sagar to craft narratives that strengthens brand narratives and leave a lasting impact.” Forget salt bae; it’s story bae season now.

    Adding credibility to his creative cooking skills, Puthyathaya has judged the prestigious New York Festivals and Abby’s, proving he’s not just here to cook up stories—he knows how to taste-test them too.

    Founded in 2011 by Mash, Salt Brand Solutions prides itself on being the invisible yet indispensable seasoning of the branding world. With Sudeep now joining Mash and Sagar, expect the creativity (and the seasoning) to be dialled up to eleven, turning more heads, breaking more norms, and making brand storytelling anything but bland.

  • Vignesh Shankar gets new product management role at Britannia

    Vignesh Shankar gets new product management role at Britannia

    MUMBAI:  From corp comm to product management, that’s a fabulous transition for Vignesh Shankar. Shankar  has taken on a new role as product manager, health innovations at food company Britannia Industries. This appointment marks his third role within the company, following his stint as product innovation manager for the iconic Good Day brand.

    In his latest capacity, Shankar will focus on category creation, product innovation, and marketing in the emerging healthy snacking space while also managing Britannia’s corporate brand reputation.

    Expressing excitement over the new role, Shankar said: “Really stoked for the new challenges and opportunities. Grateful for the support of my legendary leaders Amit Doshi and Archana Balaraman throughout this life-changing transition.”

    Shankar’s professional journey spans over a decade across prominent firms. Prior to his tenure at Britannia, he served as manager, corporate communications at Mercedes-Benz India, where he led lifestyle and product communication. He also worked as a consultant at Weber Shandwick and as an associate at Genesis BCW.

    An alumnus of the University of Leeds, where he earned an MA in advertising and marketing, Shankar also holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from the Centre for Management Studies, JGI Bangalore.

     

  • The tenth edition of Mercedes-Benz Classic Car Rally 2023 is to be held on 3 December

    The tenth edition of Mercedes-Benz Classic Car Rally 2023 is to be held on 3 December

    Mumbai: Mercedes-Benz India and Autocar India are all set to celebrate the landmark tenth anniversary of the iconic Mercedes Benz Classic Car Rally (MBCCR) on 3 December.  First organised by Autocar India in 2014, the rally has grown to become one of the world’s premier automotive events and revived and encouraged interest in vintage and classic Mercedes in India. The event will be held at the Taj Lands End, in Mumbai, and the participating cars will roll elegantly from the prestigious hotel to Worli Sea Face and back. The rally will be flagged off by Adv. Ashish Shelar – president BJP Mumbai, MLA Vandre West, chief whip Bhartiya Janata Party.

    Previous editions of the MBCCR have been lauded for bringing together the very best of classic  Mercedes in India, and this milestone year, the organizers have turned the celebrations up a notch. Over  75 Mercedes-Benz cars spread across 72 different models will be on display with nearly 50 per cent of the cars making their debuts or participating after a comprehensive restoration process.

    Among the star-studded lineup are classics such as the legendary 300SL roadster – the only one of its kind in the country – alongside every generation of the SL (including facelift variants). Expect to see a  host of debutants across the board such as the ultra-luxurious Grand Mercedes-Benz 600 ‘Grosser’. The iconic R129 SL, credited with kickstarting the Goa road trip culture with its appearance in 2001’s Dil  Chahta Hai, is also expected to be among the vehicles on show.

    “Ten years is a special landmark, and we’ve gone all out to put together a compelling show. While the  MBCCR has created a vibrant community of vintage and classic car collectors, I’m especially enthused by the number of debutants at the rally. Their participation is evidence of a movement that has gathered momentum,” said Perseus Bandrawalla, who has been curating the rally since its inception.

    As always, the MBCCR will see participation from across the country, and the participant list features some well-regarded names from the vintage and classic car collectors’ fraternity. These include publisher Viveck Goenka, industrialist Yohan Poonawala, His Himanshu Sinh of Gondal,  Pratap Sinh Gaekwad, Behram Dubash, Abbas Jasdanwala, and the Bhogilal family collection other highlights at the MBCCR 2023 will include classic generations coupes, and limousines; automotive legends such as the Pagoda California Coupe and 220SE Cabriolet, and rare delights such as Adenauer models, the 500K, and the Nürburg. 

  • Mercedes-Benz elevates Pradeep Srinivas as marketing head

    Mercedes-Benz elevates Pradeep Srinivas as marketing head

    MUMBAI: German premium carmaker Mercedes-Benz on Wednesday rejigged its sales and marketing unit and brought in Pradeep Srinivas as head of the marketing and customer services, replacing Amit Thete.

    Srinivas will be taking the responsibility of marketing and customer journey from 17 May, Mercedes-Benz India said in a statement.

    He was earlier helming the company’s e-commerce, data management and system functions. In his new position, he will be responsible for managing Mercedes-Benz India’s vehicle preparation centre (VPC), outbound logistics and dealer stock management, it said.

    Thete will be moving to head the sales operations, the luxury carmaker said, adding that the new role of sales operations will be a significant catalyst for Mercedes-Benz’s future growth and customer centricity.

  • Mercedes-Benz India appoints Martin Schwenk as new MD and CEO

    Mercedes-Benz India appoints Martin Schwenk as new MD and CEO

    MUMBAI: Mercedes- Benz has appointed Martin Schwenk as the new managing director and chief executive officer for Mercedes-Benz India. Schwenk, who is currently the chief financial officer of Beijing Mercedes-Benz Sales Service Co Ltd in China, will take over from Roland Folger from 1 November. Folger will be taking over the role of managing director, sales and marketing, Thailand and Vietnam, and will also be the CEO of Mercedes-Benz Thailand.

    On his appointment, Schwenk said, “Having worked across in different countries and functions, I am extremely excited for my forthcoming responsibility to head the dynamic India market. India’s rich cultural diversity, the young population, the diverse customs, different languages and topography together with its importance as a future economic powerhouse; makes it a compelling market to grow the business. It is a privileged opportunity for me to head the business of the most iconic and successful luxury motoring brand, in one of the most vibrant markets in the region. With my experience across various business divisions, I am looking forward to pursuing the ‘Indian story’ further and make the foundation of Mercedes-Benz even stronger in India. We have a fantastic winning team comprising our people and investors with proven records, and I am eager to be part of this winning team,” as quoted by Financial Express.

    The new MD has been working with this company for more than 12 years. Schwenk joined Mercedes- Benz in April 2006 as the head of finance and controlling East London Plant. Schwenk began his career at Daimler in 1992, through the Mercedes-Benz Trainee Programme, has an engineering degree from the University of Stuttgart. 

    Also Read:

    Mercedes-Benz India to excite with fascinating festive campaigns

    Mercedes Benz S-Class arrives through airport OOH ads

  • Yuvraj Singh is face of Laureus Sport for Good

    Yuvraj Singh is face of Laureus Sport for Good

    MUMBAI: To bring change and uplift the society through the power of sports, India’s luxury car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz, along with Laureus Sport For Good Foundation, has appointed Yuvraj Singh as a brand ambassador for the association.

    Fostering its association with Laureus Sport for Good for the second year, Mercedes-Benz India will fund developmental programmes for two new NGOs — Naz Foundation and Slum Soccer and will continue funding the existing Laureus-supported partners — Oscar Foundation and YUWA.

    Laureus Sport for Good uses the power of sport to help young people around the world overcome violence, discrimination and disadvantage.

    Mercedes-Benz India will also support various novel social initiatives under its ‘Mercedes for India’ philosophy, influencing education and environmental sustenance.

  • Mercedes-Benz India plans to expand its retail footprint with pop-up stores to connect with the youth

    Mercedes-Benz India plans to expand its retail footprint with pop-up stores to connect with the youth

    MUMBAI: In a bid to attract more customers and create brand consumerism, Mercedes-Benz India is coming up with 7 retail pop-up stores. One of which has already been inaugurated in Lower Parel in Mumbai, there are 6 more stores which will be opened in Delhi-NCR, Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai and Goa. 

     For the year 2016, with the brand philosophy ‘Winning with Mercedes-Benz’, the company is reaching closer and making its presence felt to its esteemed and discerning customers. The idea is to win the heart and the mind of consumers based on these innovative initiatives to create more awareness, brand recall and connect with consumers on an interpersonal level. The locations of these pop up stores are selected strategically, based on consumer mapping and behavioural patterns. 

    These pop-up stores will be positioned in places like lounges, pubs, cafes and restaurants to reach out to a larger target audience, this way Mercedes-Benz will be able to reach to youngsters in metros and Tier I markets. These pop-up stores will see sections such as branding and audio-visuals which will enhance consumer interest towards brand Mercedes-Benz. The customers will be able to engross themselves through special Mercedes-Benz applications and merchandise available at these stores.

    Roland Folger, Managing Director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India said, “The pop-up stores will increase our visibility in the market as we plan to tap the young generation through it. This is a novel way to create a brand connect with youngsters who are extremely enthusiastic about cars. We are opening pop-up stores in multiple places to understand the likeability and choices of today’s outgoing generation. This further helps us in expansion of such initiatives that will give a sense of exclusivity to our customers and build a positive affinity towards the brand.”

    These innovations will help to compete in a market where traditional luxury norms become lesser relevant day-by-day. The year 2016 has a strong line-up of product launches from Mercedes-Benz including 12 new offerings and 10 new dealership inaugurations across markets. Mercedes-Benz aims at a sustained double digit growth in this year too.