ITV

Tag: Mindshare

  • Preetam Thingalaya joins Bullet as vp–marketing

    Preetam Thingalaya joins Bullet as vp–marketing

    MUMBAI: Looks like Bullet has fired its next big shot. Preetam Thingalaya has joined the newly launched micro-drama app as vice president marketing, bringing with him more than 20 years of brand-building experience across media, FMCG, tech, and entertainment.

    Preetam’s move comes at a time when Bullet, in partnership with Zee Entertainment, is aiming to reshape digital storytelling through bite-sized, vertical-format dramas designed for binge-watching.

    An industry veteran known for crafting digital ecosystems and forging creator partnerships, Preetam has previously led marketing at Eshtory, a premium original audio storytelling platform. Before that, he held key roles at Mirum India (a VML company), ZEE5, Mindshare, and Hindustan Unilever.

    With Bullet blending tech, storytelling, and creator energy, Preetam’s appointment signals the brand’s next act, making micro-dramas a macro trend.

  • Rakesh Jha steps in as Eyeota’s unit sales head for North

    Rakesh Jha steps in as Eyeota’s unit sales head for North

    NEW DELHI: Eyeota has tapped Rakesh Jha to lead sales across northern India, a hire aimed at bulking up the Dun & Bradstreet subsidiary’s reach in the country’s fastest-growing advertising corridor.

    Jha spent more than seven years at Times Internet, climbing from senior officer to senior manager of ad sales. He managed headline clients including CoinDCX, Atomberg Technologies, The Sleep Company and Optimum Nutrition, and cut deals with agencies such as Dentsu, Mindshare, Havas Media and Edelman. His remit covered everything from native and programmatic media buys to content-marketing projects on platforms such as Spotlight and Colombia Ads.

    Before Times Internet, Jha worked on publisher alliances at LocoVida, helping more than 120 publishers across 11 languages drive audience engagement and programmatic revenues. Known for a forensic eye on CPM, CPC and CPL models, he has a record of negotiating high-yield contracts, running multichannel campaigns and squeezing extra performance from digital budgets.

    At Eyeota, Jha will marshal revenue growth and data partnerships across Delhi and neighbouring states, marrying his pitch-perfect sales craft with Eyeota’s audience-enrichment and targeting tools. The company sees India’s northern belt—home to the country’s biggest advertisers—as a critical frontier for its global expansion

  • Sportskeeda CTO Sankalp Sharma exits after 10 years at the helm

    Sportskeeda CTO Sankalp Sharma exits after 10 years at the helm

    MUMBAI: You can’t spell Sportskeeda without code. And for the last decade, Sankalp Sharma has been the man behind the machine, the chief technology officer who took a broken codebase, a skeletal team, and a laundry list of experiments, and turned it into a battle-hardened platform serving millions of sports fans worldwide. Now, after 10 years and 7 months, Sharma is moving on, leaving behind a tech legacy etched into the site’s DNA.

    Sharma’s tenure has been one of audacious scale. From six hot codebases and a dozen services, his lean team engineered a system that now handles a billion API calls a day with near-million concurrency. As CTO since December 2020 (after stints as VP of technology and tech lead), he not only scaled from “0 to 1, 1 to 10, and on to 100” but also reshaped how Sportskeeda approached experimentation, reliability, and growth.

    Reflecting on his philosophy, Sharma describes his approach as “going wide, going deep, and going around” spotting unnoticed patterns, rolling up his sleeves to refine systems, and navigating future goals through the fog of war. Along the way, he fostered a culture of curiosity, killed fluff projects early, and championed open-source contributions. His earlier career saw roles at Essencemediacom, Mindshare, VML, Foxymoron, TCS, and even a freelance stint helping startups and Fortune 500 companies alike.

    From one-click deployments to site reliability engineering, from streamlining legacy microservices to mentoring LGBTQIA+ professionals and startup founders, Sharma’s playbook has been as much about people as it was about platforms. As Sportskeeda now looks ahead to its next growth chapter, it does so with a tech foundation built on Sharma’s decade-long vision of harmony amid chaos.

     

  • Madison logs into digital future with Vivek Das as chief digital officer

    Madison logs into digital future with Vivek Das as chief digital officer

    MUMBAI: When the digital world calls, Madison Media answers with a double click and its newest hire is set to hit refresh on the agency’s future. Madison Media, part of Madison World, has roped in Vivek Das as chief digital officer, a role in which he will report to Ajit Varghese, partner and group CEO, Madison Media and OOH. With more than 20 years of experience spanning entrepreneurship, integrated media, and digital transformation, Das is no stranger to reshaping how brands connect with audiences.

    Most recently, he was on the India leadership team at Essencemedia.com, where he helmed Google India and Southeast Asia WPP’s second-largest account globally. His résumé also features leadership stints at Mindshare and VML (formerly Wunderman), besides a CEO turn at Foxymoron. Beyond the boardroom, he mentors LGBTQIA+ professionals and startup founders, reflecting a commitment to inclusivity and new-age entrepreneurship.

    Welcoming him aboard, Varghese noted, “Vivek joins us at a pivotal time… At Madison, we are building an AI-first planning framework and embedding digital-first thinking into everything we do. His rich experience makes him the perfect leader to accelerate this journey.”

    Das added his own perspective: “I am thrilled to join Madison at a time of great opportunity and change… In the era of platforms, LLMs, and Artificial Intelligence, I look forward to strengthening Madison’s leadership in new media and enhancing the value we bring to clients and the industry.”

    For Madison, this appointment isn’t just about filling a role, it’s about future-proofing its position in a market where AI, creativity, and consumer-first strategies are rewriting the playbook

  • Lufthansa takes off with Sreeleela for Insider 2.0 travel storytelling

    Lufthansa takes off with Sreeleela for Insider 2.0 travel storytelling

    MUMBAI: When a rising star meets Europe’s sky-high classic, you know the journey won’t be ordinary. Lufthansa German Airlines has rolled out the latest chapter of its Insider campaign, this time headlined by actress Sreeleela, who brings a touch of homegrown charm to the airline’s premium global pitch.

    The campaign steered by Mindshare India with its UK counterparts and supported by WPP Media reimagines Lufthansa not just as a carrier but as a travel-lifestyle brand. Dubbed Insider Guide 2.0, it turns the spotlight on London’s cultural and culinary secrets, with Sreeleela exploring the city alongside UK creator Anastasia. From hidden haunts to haute cuisine, the duo presented a version of London few tourists ever see.

    For today’s premium Indian traveller, the sweet spot lies in blending indulgence with authenticity. The campaign taps into that appetite: immersive journeys that go beyond glossy itineraries, mixing Lufthansa’s signature service with storytelling that feels personal.

    Lufthansa Group head of marketing for South Asia, Southeast Asia & Pacific Sng Ju Stephanie summed it up as “experience-led travel, powered by authentic influencer engagement,” while WPP Media South Asia’s Amin Lakhani called it a “cross-border collaboration that raises the bar for cultural nuance and consumer connection.”

    With Insider 2.0, Lufthansa isn’t just chasing wanderlust; it’s serving up a menu of global discovery with an Indian garnish. For a brand that has long been a bridge between continents, this campaign ensures the story soars just as high as the aircraft.

  • Mindshare veteran Sonal Jadhav moves to lead Havas Media’s western operations

    Mindshare veteran Sonal Jadhav moves to lead Havas Media’s western operations

    MUMBAI: Sonal Jadhav has traded her corner office at Mindshare for the top job at Havas Media Network India, where she will serve as managing partner and west lead. The appointment marks a significant coup for Havas, which has poached one of the industry’s most seasoned media hands.

    Jadhav spent three years and seven months as principal partner at Mindshare, the GroupM-owned agency, before making the switch this month. Her departure represents a notable loss for Mindshare, where she had deep roots stretching back over a decade.

    The Mumbai-based executive brings formidable credentials to her new role. She cut her teeth during a marathon 10-year stint at Mindshare, rising through the ranks from client lead to senior cluster lead. In her most recent role there, she managed a portfolio of blue-chip accounts including Kellogg’s, ICICI, Rio Tinto and Onida, with full profit-and-loss responsibility.

    Her earlier Mindshare tenure was particularly notable for her stewardship of the Hindustan Unilever skincare portfolio, where she crafted media strategies for the conglomerate’s beauty brands from 2006 to 2013. The assignment cemented her reputation as a strategic thinker with a knack for marrying brand-building with performance metrics.

    Between her two Mindshare chapters, adhav spent four years as general manager at Wavemaker, another GroupM stable-mate, focusing on FMCG clients and honing her expertise across traditional and digital media channels.

    Her career began in print advertising, with early roles at Hindustan Times and Indian Express, where she learned the fundamentals of media sales and revenue optimisation.

    The appointment signals Havas Media’s ambitions to strengthen its presence in India’s fiercely competitive media landscape, where agencies are battling for a larger share of the country’s advertising spend. Ms Jadhav’s deep FMCG experience and client relationships make her a natural fit for a market where consumer goods companies remain among the biggest advertisers.

    At 15-plus years in the business, she represents the kind of seasoned leadership that agencies increasingly prize as they navigate the complexities of digital transformation and attribution-based media buying.

  • Digital marketing veteran leaves Reckitt after nine-year stint

    Digital marketing veteran leaves Reckitt after nine-year stint

    MUMBAI: Shashishekhar Mukherjee, one of India’s most decorated digital marketing executives, has ended his nine-year tenure as head of digital marketing at Reckitt, the British consumer health and hygiene giant behind brands including Dettol, Durex and Veet.

    The departure of the 18-year industry veteran, announced on LinkedIn this week, marks another high-profile exit from the fast-moving consumer goods sector as companies grapple with rapid digital transformation and fierce competition for top talent.

    Mukherjee, who joined Reckitt in April 2016, spearheaded the company’s data-driven marketing strategy across its marquee portfolio, which also includes Moov pain relief gel. His campaigns earned recognition at prestigious industry awards including the APAC Effies, Asian Warc and Emvies.

    The executive’s credentials include being named among Brand Equity’s top 30 digital marketers. He currently serves as a board advisor to the India Influencer Governing Council and is a member of the Mobile Marketing Association’s APAC retail media network.

    “After nine incredible years, I recently bid farewell to my team, coworkers, and friends at Reckitt,” Mukherjee wrote in his LinkedIn post, describing the role as having “profoundly shaped me both personally and professionally.”

    His exit comes as multinational consumer goods companies face intensifying pressure to digitise their operations and connect with younger consumers across India’s diverse markets. The sector has witnessed a wave of senior departures as executives seek new opportunities in the rapidly evolving landscape.

    Mukherjee’s departure follows a distinguished career spanning blue-chip agencies and brands. Before Reckitt, he served stints at GSK (now Haleon), where he led digital initiatives for wellness brands including Sensodyne toothpaste and Eno antacid, and at Mindshare, where he headed digital strategy for PepsiCo’s portfolio.
    His early career included roles at GroupM, handling accounts for Twinings tea, Kurkure snacks and Domino’s Pizza, and at Publicis Groupe, managing digital offerings for Hewlett-Packard and telecom operator MTS.

  • Rahul Rajput takes the hot seat as VP–Investment at Dentsu India

    Rahul Rajput takes the hot seat as VP–Investment at Dentsu India

    MUMBAI: Dentsu India has elevated Rahul Rajput to vice president–investment, a move that cements his position as a key driver of the network’s media buying and planning muscle. The promotion comes after a one-year stint as associate vice president, during which Rajput steered the ship on high-stakes investment deals and cross-platform campaigns.

    Based in Gurugram, Rajput brings over a decade of experience to the role, including a six-year run at Dentsu Aegis Network as investment director and nearly three years at Mindshare, where he held the title of director–The Exchange. His career began at VivaKi and Havas Media, where he sharpened his chops as a media buyer.

    A self-described music enthusiast and natural networker, Rajput blends strategic thinking with people-first leadership. His mantra? “Everyone you meet has something to teach you.”

    With India’s digital and TV adex in flux, Dentsu’s bet on Rajput signals its intent to double down on smart, agile investment leadership in the months ahead.

  • Gunjan Arora Mann takes charge as national vertical lead – ET B2B (Spotlight) at Times Internet

    Gunjan Arora Mann takes charge as national vertical lead – ET B2B (Spotlight) at Times Internet

    MUMBAI: Gunjan Arora Mann has stepped into a new role as national vertical lead – ET B2B (Spotlight) at Times Internet, marking a high-profile return to the Times Group. Based in Gurugram, she now spearheads branded content initiatives for The Economic Times’ B2B vertical, with a sharp focus on enterprise-led storytelling and strategic partnerships.

    Prior to this, Arora Mann was region head – branded content (North & East) at moneycontrol.com, where she spent nearly four years driving integrated campaigns and client-first content narratives. Her earlier stint with Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd. saw her rise through the ranks across Delhi, Bengaluru and Gurugram as chief manager and vertical head, managing key sectors including telecom, tech and consumer durables.

    With two decades of experience across marquee agencies such as Mindshare, DDB Mudra Group and Digital Market Asia, Arora Mann is known for her ability to marry editorial flair with commercial agility. She also played pivotal roles in landmark industry events like Ad Asia 2011 and the World Magazine Congress.

    Her new role is set to supercharge ET Spotlight’s position as a content-led engine for India Inc. and beyond.

  • WPP Media officially rises from GroupM, blending AI and ad muscle in $60bn makeover

    WPP Media officially rises from GroupM, blending AI and ad muscle in $60bn makeover

    MUMBAI: WPP has pulled the plug on GroupM and plugged in something slicker: WPP Media, its all-new, AI-charged global media company. The move signals a seismic shift in the advertising giant’s playbook, as it bets big on “creative personalisation at scale” in the AI age.

    The newly minted outfit unites more than $60 billion in annual media investment across 80-plus markets and claims to work with over 75 per cent of the world’s top advertisers. Mindshare, Wavemaker and EssenceMediacom aren’t going anywhere—they’re now operating as bespoke agency brands under the WPP Media umbrella, powered by shared tech, data and production firepower.

    At the heart of this revamp is WPP Open, the group’s AI-enabled marketing platform backed by a cool £300m annual investment and heavyweight AI partnerships. It’s billed as the ultimate integration engine—fusing creative, production, data, commerce and media delivery in one turbocharged stack.

    WPP Media CEO Brian Lesser explained: “Consumers already expect advertising to be relevant and engaging and buying experiences to be seamless; those expectations are only going to accelerate in the age of AI. WPP Media is built for a world in which media is everywhere and in everything. By investing in our AI-powered product, integrating our offer with data and technology, and equipping our people with future-facing skills, we’re helping our clients to stay ahead of rapidly changing consumer behavior and unlock the limitless opportunities for growth that AI will create.”

    WPP CEO Mark Read highlighted: “We believe that WPP is the strongest marketing partner for the world’s leading brands in the AI era, where technology and talent converge. The move to WPP Media continues our strategy to simplify and integrate our offer for clients. While GroupM was built for a time when media scale mattered most, WPP Media reflects the power of AI, data and technology and simpler, more integrated solutions.”

    It’s not just about the tech, though. The company says it’s doubling down on people—investing in learning and development to future-proof talent for the AI-powered marketing world.

    Points out Read: “Our vision for the future is clear – marketing that is informed by data, led by seamlessly connected teams of brilliant people, and full of new opportunities for our clients.”

    To spread the word, WPP is rolling out a cross-channel B2B blitz aimed squarely at CMOs and C-suite suits. The message: AI is here, it’s hungry, and it needs humans to thrive.

    In true WPP flair, the relaunch isn’t just a name change. It’s a brand makeover, a tech upgrade, and a culture reset—all rolled into one. As the world’s biggest advertisers brace for an AI tidal wave, WPP Media is positioning itself as the surfboard.