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Tag: Sandeep Kataria

  • Bata laces up for change as Panos Mytaros steps in as new global CEO from 15 September 2025

    Bata laces up for change as Panos Mytaros steps in as new global CEO from 15 September 2025

    MUMBAI: The shoemaker is getting new boots at the top.

    The Bata Group has announced the appointment of Panos Mytaros as its new global chief executive officer, effective 15 September 2025. Mytaros will succeed Sandeep Kataria, who has led the company since 2020, guiding it through a stormy period marked by the pandemic and sweeping changes in the retail world.

    The leadership transition signals a new chapter for the nearly century-old footwear giant. Kataria exits after five years at the helm, during which he turbocharged Bata’s digital shift, modernised operations, and expanded the brand into fresh markets. His tenure laid the foundation for what the company calls its “next phase of growth”.

    “Panos is a proven leader with deep industry knowledge and a passion for footwear craftsmanship”, said Bata Group chairman Graham Allan. “His track record in brand building and developing compelling footwear collections, as well as in leading complex international organisations, made him the ideal candidate to guide Bata through our next phase of growth. We are delighted to welcome Panos to the Bata Group”.

    Mytaros brings over three decades of experience in the footwear and leather industry. He previously served as Ecco CEO from 2021 to 2024 and held multiple senior leadership roles at the Danish footwear brand before that. Known for balancing design with discipline, Mytaros is expected to drive Bata’s brand-led evolution across its global footprint.

    While Kataria’s leadership helped Bata navigate disruption and digitise its business core, the baton now passes to Mytaros, who inherits a leaner, more agile organisation poised to scale globally. The company has expressed its gratitude to Kataria for his contributions and extended a formal welcome to the incoming chief.

    With this change at the top, Bata signals that it’s ready to walk confidently into a new era—one foot in heritage, the other in innovation.

  • Bata India appoints Gunjan Shah as the new CEO

    Bata India appoints Gunjan Shah as the new CEO

    KOLKATA: Footwear major Bata India Limited on Friday announced the appointment of Gunjan Shah as its new chief executive officer. Shah will be at the helm of the brand’s operations in India. He takes over from Sandeep Kataria who was elevated as the Global CEO of Bata Brands.

    Shah will join Bata in June and will be based out of Gurugram.

    In his previous role, Shah was the chief commercial officer at Britannia Industries. He spent the early stages of his career working with brands such as Asian Paints and Motorola before moving on to Britannia in 2007. He carries extensive experience working across varied sectors spanning Consumer Durables, Telecom, and FMCG and brings to the table an innate knack for understanding consumers, passion for action, people development experience, and clarity of thought and purpose, the company said on Friday.

    “I am delighted to welcome Gunjan on board as Bata India’s new CEO. Over the past few years, we have been consistently delivering strong growth in the highly competitive footwear market. Backed by decades of experience working with powerhouse brands, Gunjan understands the Indian market’s complexities and varied nuances. I’m confident that he will add value and strengthen Bata’s position in the Indian market,” said Bata India Ltd chairman Ashwani Windlass.

    “India has always been a significant market for us from a global perspective,” said Bata Brands global CEO Sandeep Kataria. “A dynamic leader like Gunjan will spearhead the company’s operations in India and given his extensive experience and track record, I am confident that he will take the Bata brand to even greater heights and deliver strong growth.”

    Shah holds a Bachelor of Technology (Computers) from VJTI, Mumbai, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Management from the Indian Institute of Management, Kolkata.

     “I feel both honored and humbled on being appointed as the CEO of India’s favorite footwear brand and on the confidence reposed in me by the board. As an iconic brand, Bata has become an integral part of the Indian fabric. I realize that I have big shoes to fill in and I’m thrilled about working with the talented & experienced Bata team. I look forward to building on the legacy of my predecessors in taking the Bata brand to new heights alongside creating long-term sustainable value for all stakeholders in the company,” Shah added.

  • Vodafone & WhatsApp take local language initiative

    MUMBAI: One of the leading telecom operators is looking to promote and educate customers about the local language features and has rolled out an animated step-by-step approach to handhold customers.

    Vodafone India, one of India’s leading telecommunications service providers, together with WhatsApp is happy to educate millions of users to use the app in local India languages. Vodafone is one of the first operators to start such an initiative and aims to empower its consumers to connect with each other in a language of their preference.

    Today, WhatsApp is available in more than 50 different languages around the world. The app currently has over 200 million monthly active users in India, using 10 Indian languages.

    To drive the adoption of the newly introduced local language feature on WhatsApp, Vodafone has built customized pages in various Indian languages (Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Tamil among others). The interface on the page is built with an animated step-by-step approach displaying the option of changing to different Indian languages while chatting. This makes setting up the local language option for WhatsApp on Vodafone a simple matter of a few clicks. Updating status, chatting or even sharing messages in the language of the customer’s choice is possible. With a simple click, consumers can even install WhatsApp.

    Vodafone India chief commercial officer Sandeep Kataria said, “We see it as a big step towards empowering the next one billion internet users. It is also in keeping with our philosophy of connecting for good. We believe that local language support is a clear area of focus for us, and we see this campaign with WhatsApp as a step in the right direction.”

    “Together with Vodafone, we want to make communication more accessible and convenient in India,” says WhatsApp vice president Neeraj Arora. “People can easily use WhatsApp in the Indian language of their choice to connect with friends and family anytime and anywhere. Language choice is an important feature for our users and we are happy to stand together with Vodafone on this education initiative that makes messaging on WhatsApp an even better experience.”

  • Amazon Prime expands reach, available to Voda subs

    NEW DELHI: With the battle for space among telecom service providers reaching a high pitch, Vodafone India has become the first telecom operator to partner with Amazon Prime Video India enabling customers to seamlessly access their large selection of latest and exclusive Bollywood, Hollywood and regional movies, US TV shows, kids’ programming and global Amazon Originals.

    Vodafone consumers can enjoy Amazon Prime with a special consumer offer on its data strong Vodafone SuperNetTM 4G network from 22 March 2017. After subscribing to Amazon Prime via MyVodafone App or Vodafone Website for an annual introductory subscription price of only Rs 499, Vodafone customers will get Rs 250 cashback as their Amazon Pay Balance. Currently, the offer is available only for Vodafone customers using Android devices.

    Vodafone India director – commercial Sandeep Kataria said, “The entertainment consumption patterns of customers are rapidly changing. They want more freedom and flexibility in the way they consume content. This partnership with Amazon Prime Video does just that, further strengthening our content proposition and reiterating our commitment to offering the best to our customers along with unique privileges. It makes available a wide range of latest, high-quality movies and TV shows to our millions of customers, giving them exclusive access to a diverse selection of entertainment and rich content with an unparalleled streaming experience on the data strong Vodafone SuperNetTM 4G network”.

    Amazon Prime Video India director and country head Nitesh Kripalani said, “At Amazon Prime Video, our focus is on offering latest and exclusive movies and TV shows to customers on a reliable service, with great playback quality and low data usage. This offer further extends our promise of delivering convenient, on-demand access to our large content selection to our customers.”

    Amazon Prime already offers unlimited free One-day and Two-day delivery to over 100 cities on eligible items from India’s largest selection of products, 30 minutes early access for members on top deals and more benefits for an unparalleled shopping experience.

  • Nawaz is face of Vodafone’s new campaign

    Nawaz is face of Vodafone’s new campaign

    NEW DELHI: Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui is the brand ambassador in north India while Bobby Simha will be publicising the new Vodafone FLEX plan.

    Vodafone India Director-Commercial Sandeep Kataria told Indiantelevision.com it would be a high-decibel, 360-degree multi-media creative campaign to propagate the launch and introduce this new concept. This highly vibrant and impactful campaign will be seen across mediums — TV, print, OOH, radio and digital.

    Vodafone introduced Vodafone Flex to ease the problems of consumers who have to separately pay for voice data, STD calls, and Internet. Consumers will now pay a fixed fee for a period of 28 days that covers all.

    Kataria said this plan was only for pre-paid subscribers, and would not apply to post-paid consumers. He said it would take away the hassle of consumers of remembering dates when they have to pay and will be able to use their monthly subscription. Furthermore, he said that, if the full amount paid remained unutilised, it would be carried over to the next month.

    Consumers would receive a message three days before the period expires to let them know they need to renew their subscriptions. He said that 90 per cent of the consumers were still in the pre-paid segment.

    The rates would vary from city to city, and the rates in Delhi range from Rs 119 (325 Flex) to Rs 399 (1750 Flex).

  • Nawaz is face of Vodafone’s new campaign

    Nawaz is face of Vodafone’s new campaign

    NEW DELHI: Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui is the brand ambassador in north India while Bobby Simha will be publicising the new Vodafone FLEX plan.

    Vodafone India Director-Commercial Sandeep Kataria told Indiantelevision.com it would be a high-decibel, 360-degree multi-media creative campaign to propagate the launch and introduce this new concept. This highly vibrant and impactful campaign will be seen across mediums — TV, print, OOH, radio and digital.

    Vodafone introduced Vodafone Flex to ease the problems of consumers who have to separately pay for voice data, STD calls, and Internet. Consumers will now pay a fixed fee for a period of 28 days that covers all.

    Kataria said this plan was only for pre-paid subscribers, and would not apply to post-paid consumers. He said it would take away the hassle of consumers of remembering dates when they have to pay and will be able to use their monthly subscription. Furthermore, he said that, if the full amount paid remained unutilised, it would be carried over to the next month.

    Consumers would receive a message three days before the period expires to let them know they need to renew their subscriptions. He said that 90 per cent of the consumers were still in the pre-paid segment.

    The rates would vary from city to city, and the rates in Delhi range from Rs 119 (325 Flex) to Rs 399 (1750 Flex).

  • Vodafone U celebrates Friendship Day with ‘million fun experiences’

    Vodafone U celebrates Friendship Day with ‘million fun experiences’

    MUMBAI: With Friendship Day round the corner (Friendship Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of August), it’s that time of the year, when much of life revolves around making new friends and engaging more with older ones, especially for the youth. As they return to colleges and campuses, Vodafone U, a first of its kind lifestyle proposition for youth, has created the platform of Million Fun Experiences For the youth to engage and enjoy.

    Targeting the socially active and increasingly demanding Indian youth,Vodafone U has launched a ‘Back to Campus’ campaign engaging with youngsters on topics and issues that matter to them most – friends, music, fashion, health and entertainment among others. The month long campaign in 400 leading colleges across top 50 cities will be driven through campus engagements and promoted via social media. On offer are unlimited fun and unbelievable experiences – from intercollegiate music competitions, music concerts, gaming zones, campus star contests and International Trips and many other telecom and non-telecom benefits and unlimited moments to enjoy with friends.

    Speaking about Vodafone U and offering Million Fun Experiences,Sandeep Kataria, Director – Commercial, Vodafone India, said, “There is a lot happening in the life of youngsters today and they do not want to miss out! With Vodafone U, on offer is a bundle of benefits that will keep them connected with friends and fun via the world of internet, voice, music plus. Million Fun Experiences including a chance to win once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enjoy the popular Tomatina festival in Spain or the Ultra Music Fest in Singapore. It is an opportunity for them to create a lifetime worth of memories with their buddies. Fun will always be on for the young as their world of interest, residing in their pocket, will be active, 24X7”

    Beginning 3rd August, Vodafone is running the Back to Campus campaign in 20 plus colleges across Delhi NCR including Delhi College of Arts & Commerce, Delhi College of Engineering, Hans Raj College, Hindu College, Jesus & Mary College, Kirori Mal College, Miranda House, Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies, Shri Ram College of Commerce, Sri Venkateswara College and Amity University amongst others.

    Under the Million Fun Experience umbrella, recently Vodafone U customers in Delhi & NCR won tickets to a Lucky Ali, Sona Mohapatra and Papon concert. Back to Campus campaign receive enthusiastic response from some of the top colleges in Mumbai.In Maharashtra and Goa,Vodafone U has launched ‘Vodafone U- Battle of the Bands’ – one-of-its kind inter-city and inter-college Band competition in 100 colleges across five cities.

    And there are more experiences! Once connected with Vodafone U one can use the MyVodafone App to avail of exciting offers like Buy One and Get One Free offers at Café Coffee Day, Amazon.com, Dominos, Lifestyle Retail, Mad over Donuts and US Pizza and many more youth centric brands!

  • Vodafone U celebrates Friendship Day with ‘million fun experiences’

    Vodafone U celebrates Friendship Day with ‘million fun experiences’

    MUMBAI: With Friendship Day round the corner (Friendship Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of August), it’s that time of the year, when much of life revolves around making new friends and engaging more with older ones, especially for the youth. As they return to colleges and campuses, Vodafone U, a first of its kind lifestyle proposition for youth, has created the platform of Million Fun Experiences For the youth to engage and enjoy.

    Targeting the socially active and increasingly demanding Indian youth,Vodafone U has launched a ‘Back to Campus’ campaign engaging with youngsters on topics and issues that matter to them most – friends, music, fashion, health and entertainment among others. The month long campaign in 400 leading colleges across top 50 cities will be driven through campus engagements and promoted via social media. On offer are unlimited fun and unbelievable experiences – from intercollegiate music competitions, music concerts, gaming zones, campus star contests and International Trips and many other telecom and non-telecom benefits and unlimited moments to enjoy with friends.

    Speaking about Vodafone U and offering Million Fun Experiences,Sandeep Kataria, Director – Commercial, Vodafone India, said, “There is a lot happening in the life of youngsters today and they do not want to miss out! With Vodafone U, on offer is a bundle of benefits that will keep them connected with friends and fun via the world of internet, voice, music plus. Million Fun Experiences including a chance to win once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enjoy the popular Tomatina festival in Spain or the Ultra Music Fest in Singapore. It is an opportunity for them to create a lifetime worth of memories with their buddies. Fun will always be on for the young as their world of interest, residing in their pocket, will be active, 24X7”

    Beginning 3rd August, Vodafone is running the Back to Campus campaign in 20 plus colleges across Delhi NCR including Delhi College of Arts & Commerce, Delhi College of Engineering, Hans Raj College, Hindu College, Jesus & Mary College, Kirori Mal College, Miranda House, Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies, Shri Ram College of Commerce, Sri Venkateswara College and Amity University amongst others.

    Under the Million Fun Experience umbrella, recently Vodafone U customers in Delhi & NCR won tickets to a Lucky Ali, Sona Mohapatra and Papon concert. Back to Campus campaign receive enthusiastic response from some of the top colleges in Mumbai.In Maharashtra and Goa,Vodafone U has launched ‘Vodafone U- Battle of the Bands’ – one-of-its kind inter-city and inter-college Band competition in 100 colleges across five cities.

    And there are more experiences! Once connected with Vodafone U one can use the MyVodafone App to avail of exciting offers like Buy One and Get One Free offers at Café Coffee Day, Amazon.com, Dominos, Lifestyle Retail, Mad over Donuts and US Pizza and many more youth centric brands!

  • Vodafone’s pug comes back to announce SuperNet

    Vodafone’s pug comes back to announce SuperNet

    MUMBAI: Vodafone couldn’t have had a more impactful and adorable way to introduce its latest 4G services, Supernet, than to bring back its iconic pug. The K9 brand ambassador had been a witness to the brand’s growth over the years on the network front and the star of many a brand communications. Therefore the latest series of 15 seconds ads to announce Vodafone’s much anticipated 4G services was a good way to bring back Cheeka the pug and evoke a sense of nostalgia. 

    Announcing the launch of Vodafone SuperNet, Vodafone India consumer director Sandeep Kataria said, “Network plays a crucial role in enhancing customer experience. In our continuing endeavour to provide superior voice and data services, we have made significant investments to expand, upgrade and modernise our network across the country. To cater to evolving consumer needs, we use multiple technologies to provide over 194 million (19.4 crore) customers across the country, all-round benefits of a seamless network experience, beyond just speed.”

    The new campaign is being promoted with a high decibel 360 degree creative communication. Conceptualised by Ogilvy & Mather and produced by Nirvana Films, the three ads released so far, namely –  Pug drums a beat, Pug ride a truck and Pug paints — effortlessly create a sense of familiarity and draw audience into their new 4G network, ‘Vodafone 4G SuperNet.

    “The pug was a character we generally used when we did networks ads, with the last one being in 2012. Vodafone’s 4G service SuperNet required a network campaign and that’s why we thought to reintroduce everyone’s favourite Vodafone pug,” said Ogilvy & Mather Group creative director Kiran Anthony.

    These aren’t really long stories that the creatives usually do for the brand.  The new films are hardly 7 to 10 seconds of content and 15 second overall. It comes, does it work and is gone.

    Explaining why they didn’t go for a full-fledged 60 seconder and stuck to a 15 second ad film, he added, “It is not always that you require a lengthy ad film. Sometimes a post-production can also do the job. Moreover, these 15 seconders will get much more frequency when shown on television, especially with the cricket matches that are going on. Normally there aren’t that many 60 sec ad slots. A 60 sec ad can come once or twice during a match, this can come 20 or 30 times.”

    The agency is currently working on expanding the campaign and come up with a lengthy version of the ad soon.

  • Vodafone’s pug comes back to announce SuperNet

    Vodafone’s pug comes back to announce SuperNet

    MUMBAI: Vodafone couldn’t have had a more impactful and adorable way to introduce its latest 4G services, Supernet, than to bring back its iconic pug. The K9 brand ambassador had been a witness to the brand’s growth over the years on the network front and the star of many a brand communications. Therefore the latest series of 15 seconds ads to announce Vodafone’s much anticipated 4G services was a good way to bring back Cheeka the pug and evoke a sense of nostalgia. 

    Announcing the launch of Vodafone SuperNet, Vodafone India consumer director Sandeep Kataria said, “Network plays a crucial role in enhancing customer experience. In our continuing endeavour to provide superior voice and data services, we have made significant investments to expand, upgrade and modernise our network across the country. To cater to evolving consumer needs, we use multiple technologies to provide over 194 million (19.4 crore) customers across the country, all-round benefits of a seamless network experience, beyond just speed.”

    The new campaign is being promoted with a high decibel 360 degree creative communication. Conceptualised by Ogilvy & Mather and produced by Nirvana Films, the three ads released so far, namely –  Pug drums a beat, Pug ride a truck and Pug paints — effortlessly create a sense of familiarity and draw audience into their new 4G network, ‘Vodafone 4G SuperNet.

    “The pug was a character we generally used when we did networks ads, with the last one being in 2012. Vodafone’s 4G service SuperNet required a network campaign and that’s why we thought to reintroduce everyone’s favourite Vodafone pug,” said Ogilvy & Mather Group creative director Kiran Anthony.

    These aren’t really long stories that the creatives usually do for the brand.  The new films are hardly 7 to 10 seconds of content and 15 second overall. It comes, does it work and is gone.

    Explaining why they didn’t go for a full-fledged 60 seconder and stuck to a 15 second ad film, he added, “It is not always that you require a lengthy ad film. Sometimes a post-production can also do the job. Moreover, these 15 seconders will get much more frequency when shown on television, especially with the cricket matches that are going on. Normally there aren’t that many 60 sec ad slots. A 60 sec ad can come once or twice during a match, this can come 20 or 30 times.”

    The agency is currently working on expanding the campaign and come up with a lengthy version of the ad soon.