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Tag: Standard Chartered

  • Comscore names Vivek Jaiswal APAC country head

    Comscore names Vivek Jaiswal APAC country head

    MUMBAI: Comscore has named Vivek Jaiswal as its new country manager for Asia-Pacific, as the global measurement and analytics firm sharpens its focus on the fast-growing region.

    Based in New Delhi, Jaiswal will steer cross-platform audience measurement, deepen partnerships with brands and publishers, and drive innovation across markets.

    Jaiswal, who joined Comscore in 2022 as sales director, brings over 12 years of experience spanning SaaS, business information services and enterprise sales. Before Comscore, he held commercial roles at Dun & Bradstreet, Standard Chartered, and Kotak Mahindra Bank.

    “It’s an honour to take on this new role,” said Jaiswal. “APAC is an incredibly dynamic market, and I look forward to helping clients make smarter, data-driven decisions.”

    Comscore executive vice president international Alejandro Fosk said Jaiswal’s appointment reflects the firm’s “continued commitment to the region” and its goal of offering “reliable, future-facing measurement solutions” in a changing media landscape.

    The move cements Comscore’s ambitions to strengthen its India and APAC footprint, arming advertisers, agencies and publishers with the insights they need to navigate an increasingly fragmented digital

  • Adfactors PR appoints Shilpa Desai to drive digital and innovation in BFSI and capital markets

    Adfactors PR appoints Shilpa Desai to drive digital and innovation in BFSI and capital markets

    MUMBAI: Adfactors PR has named Shilpa Desai as senior vice-president – digital and innovation for its BFSI and capital markets practices, a move that signals the firm’s intent to hardwire digital transformation into its core financial services offering. Working with the founders and senior leadership, Desai will design and execute initiatives that expand digital capabilities, integrate analytics, and build innovation-led systems to deliver sharper impact for clients and future-proof the organisation.

    With over 20 years of experience, Desai is no stranger to India’s financial sector. She began her career at ICICI Bank before moving to Standard Chartered, where she built the digital marketing practice for India and South Asia. At IDFC Bank, she was part of the founding team, launching the bank in 2015 and later setting up its digital business and marketing analytics functions. She went on to lead brand and marketing at Fullerton India and, most recently, served as executive vice-president and head of marketing at HDFC Ergo.

    In parallel, Desai has also run her own consultancy, Digital by Design, advising institutions on digital-first marketing and transformation. An engineer with an MBA, she is currently pursuing a PhD in management at IIT Bombay, adding academic rigour to her industry experience.

    Her appointment comes as Adfactors PR doubles down on its BFSI and capital markets verticals, a cornerstone of its business. The firm said Desai’s remit will be to strengthen its ability to offer integrated, data-rich, innovation-driven communications solutions at a time when fintech disruption, digital adoption and AI-led marketing are rewriting the rules of engagement.

    Industry watchers say the hire reflects both client expectations and competitive pressure. As BFSI players accelerate digital adoption, PR firms are under pressure to match pace with insight-driven, technology-enabled campaigns that deliver measurable outcomes.

    Adfactors PR, already the largest PR consultancy in India, is betting that Desai’s blend of operational depth, digital vision and sectoral expertise will give it an edge in a market where communications is increasingly inseparable from data and technology.

  • Anupam Sengupta jumps aboard AI dub firm Camb.ai

    Anupam Sengupta jumps aboard AI dub firm Camb.ai

    MUMBAI: Anupam Sengupta, a seasoned tech heavyweight with a CV that reads like a who’s who of global giants, has taken the helm as business head for the Indian subcontinent and southeast Asia at Camb.ai. This AI media tech company, fresh from a $11m funding round and eyeing a cool $75m+ by FY26, is betting big on Sengupta’s knack for driving high-impact deals and digital transformations.

    Sengupta, whose past conquests include stints at Sony Group, WPP, Zee, and Standard Chartered, isn’t just bringing his Rolodex; he’s bringing a vision. Camb.ai, based in west Asia, aims to bridge linguistic divides with AI that’s more than just a translator – it’s a cultural chameleon. It has positioned itself as the world’s most capable speech and translation AI, offering the capability for humankind to dub content into over 140 languages using proprietary AI models.

    Camb.ai  founder & CEO Avneesh Prakash articulated the company’s mission with a touch of the poetic: “As founders with deep Indian roots, we’ve seen how language can both empower and exclude. At Camb.ai, our mission is to bridge India’s linguistic diversity through advanced AI, ensuring equal access across entertainment, sports, education, and healthcare. With India and SEA emerging markets central to our strategy, we’re excited to build long-term, transformative impact.”

    Sengupta himself is equally bullish, stating, “At Camb.ai, we are pushing the frontiers of AI voice and language research—not merely translating words, but carrying emotion, intent, contextuality, and cultural nuance across languages. It’s a deeply challenging science, but one with immense potential across sectors. In these transformative times, I’m excited to build this deep tech business grounds up in Asia. Together the team is deeply committed to building long-term, sustainable value in this region where language inclusion can further unlock true cultural and economic potential.”

    In essence, Sengupta’s appointment isn’t just a career move; it’s a strategic play in Asia’s burgeoning AI landscape. Camb.ai is betting that his expertise will translate into more than just revenue; it’ll translate into a cultural revolution, one perfectly nuanced AI voice at a time.

  • Standard Chartered India ropes in P.D. Singh as new CEO from April 2025

    Standard Chartered India ropes in P.D. Singh as new CEO from April 2025

    MUMBAI: Standard Chartered has announced the appointment of P.D. Singh as its chief executive officer (CEO) for India, effective 1 April 2025. Singh will succeed Zarin Daruwala, who is set to retire on 31 March 2025, after an illustrious tenure at the helm.

    Bringing nearly 30 years of experience in banking and finance, Singh holds a double MBA alongside an engineering degree. His career spans leadership and coverage roles across top European and American banks, making him a formidable force in the industry.

    Before joining Standard Chartered, Singh served as CEO of JP Morgan Chase Bank NA India. Prior to that, he spent a decade at HSBC, where he held multiple leadership roles in corporate and commercial banking.

    With deep industry knowledge and a track record of steering financial institutions to success, Singh’s leadership is expected to drive innovation, strengthen client relationships, and accelerate Standard Chartered’s growth in India. His global exposure positions him well to navigate the evolving financial landscape while ensuring continuity and stability.

    As Daruwala prepares to retire, Standard Chartered acknowledges her significant contributions to the bank’s success in India. Under her leadership, the bank witnessed remarkable expansion and innovation, solidifying its position in a competitive market.

    Singh’s appointment signals a bold step towards the future, reinforcing Standard Chartered’s commitment to leadership in India’s dynamic banking sector.

  • Infinite Reality secures $3 billion investment to drive immersive technology innovation

    Infinite Reality secures $3 billion investment to drive immersive technology innovation

    MUMBAI:  Immersive technology and digital media innovation firm Infinite Reality (iR)  has closed a landmark $3 billion equity investment from a private investor specializing in global technology and real estate. The funding underscores confidence in iR’s vision for the next generation of the internet, leveraging extended reality (XR) and artificial intelligence (AI).

    The investment positions iR as a major player in the rapidly growing immersive technology sector, projected to reach nearly $1 trillion by 2030. CEO John Acunto emphasised the company’s commitment to empowering businesses and creators with tools to craft immersive digital experiences while retaining full ownership of their data and customer relationships.

    “This fundraise validates our mission to build an immersive platform that powers the next era of the web,” said Acunto. “Our customers can now seamlessly transition from 2D websites to immersive spaces, optimising their operations and unlocking new revenue opportunities.”

    IInfinite Reality plans to leverage the funding for continued expansion, including acquisitions, partnerships, and product development. Key recent milestones include:

    * The significant expansion of iR’s MENA presence through partnerships with both public and private sectors. This rapid growth is highlighted by multiple high profile collaborations, including the development of advanced digital twin technologies for practical applications such as interactive training and safety demonstrations for the UAE ministry of finance, as well as the recent unveiling of the digital twin of the DMCC Crypto Centre. The momentum will continue to build with upcoming prominent projects across the region including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and beyond, encompassing initiatives with government entities, tourism authorities, and premier real estate developers.

    *  The $450 million purchase of Dubai-based Landvault (now iR Enterprise) which has built over 1.2 million square feet of virtual experiences for countless high-profile brands including Mastercard, Standard Chartered, Hershey, a Cannes Lion-winning Heineken campaign with Dentsu, groundbreaking activations with Hershey in Decentraland, and the innovative World of Women experience in The Sandbox.

    * The closing of multiple acquisitions, including the $250 million acquisition of the Drone Racing League, the $75 million purchase of Ethereal Engine, Action Face, and Stakes. These deals strengthened iR’s capabilities in computer vision and spatial web technology, gaming, robotics, and more.

    * Continued work with Warner Bros. Discovery Sports, including the launch of the FIM SGP-VERSE app, the world’s first socially interactive and fully immersive speedway experience with features such as customisable camera streams, an exclusive pit reporter feed and on-demand video content. 

    In addition, iR is advancing its Florida innovation hub, transforming a former Superfund site into a state-of-the-art headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, expected to create thousands of jobs and bolster the region’s technological leadership.

    Co-founder Amish Shah noted that the investment, secured as equity without debt, allows iR to execute its vision without restrictions. “This partnership provides us with unparalleled resources to grow through innovation, acquisitions, and global market expansion.”

    Infinite Reality’s iR Studio, a no-code immersive SaaS platform, will see further enhancements to democratise access to XR technology. By combining AI and proprietary tools, the company aims to make immersive digital experiences accessible and scalable for brands and creators worldwide.

  • TCS extends sponsorship of Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon

    TCS extends sponsorship of Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon

    Mumbai: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has announced that it will continue to sponsor the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon (SCSM) corporate challenge for another four years, until 2026. This collaboration also marks the start of TCS’ four-year association as the SCSM’s official mobile app partner beginning in 2022, with the goal of creating truly immersive and community-focused digital race experiences for runners and fans.

    SCSM is set to return to the streets of Singapore from 2 to 4 December, and be the centre of community engagement to end the year on a high and healthy note. The partnership is in line with TCS’ global focus on encouraging healthy lifestyles and community bonding through sports.

    As the official mobile app partner for SCSM 2022, TCS has created an experience that goes beyond the essentials and provides better insights and information about the marathon for the 50,000 participants who are expected at the two-day event. It also streamlines the entire marathon experience for active and passive participants through a single, digitally integrated platform with high functionality and an excellent user experience. Runners can look forward to functions and conveniences such as booking transportation to the marathon grounds, race day weather details, SOS for emergencies, and checking on their run’s progress. The fully immersive race experience, incorporating the runners’ pre-, race-day, and post-race journeys, is designed to cheer every runner.

    The app also features an AR-powered virtual experience, where runners can make use of the AR medal filters, themed frames for photos, and video creation functionalities to share their racing experiences and victories almost instantly. The app aims to create a “running club” experience by allowing participants to connect with other runners virtually, even when they are not at the same location.

    Additionally, TCS is also the sponsor of SCSM’s corporate challenge. TCS sees sports as an excellent way for coworkers to bond and integrate wellness into organisational DNA. TCS’ title sponsorship of the SCSM corporate challenge 2022 creates a unique opportunity for large corporations and small and medium enterprises to collaborate and come together even as they compete for the top spot in an international marathon setting.

    The corporate challenge comprises three categories: the total distance covered by corporate finishers, further divided into four tiers based on the number of runners registered by a company; the top corporate male and female from each race category.

    “Sports, especially community events like marathons, have always played an integral role in enhancing society’s mental and physical well-being. TCS bolsters running communities globally as they transform lives, one sprint at a time,” said TCS Asia Pacific president Girish Ramachandran. “The driving force for us at TCS has always been our community and creating products that allow communities to flourish and push the envelope on innovation, health, and wellness. We are glad to partner with the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon over the next four years to create and upgrade tools like the race app that make the marathon experience integrated and accessible for participants and spectators alike.”

    The IRONMAN Group, Singapore general manager Santoz Kumar said, “TCS is synonymous with the world’s greatest marathons. The 2022 Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon marks the seventh year of collaboration with TCS, and their long-standing involvement is testament to the strength and iconic nature of the international event. Their support has been invaluable as we strive to enhance the race experience for participants. This year is no exception, and the TCS-designed SCSM2022 mobile application will play an integral role for our participants and their supporters, as it features essential tools such as live runner tracking, race-day information, and much more.”

    Marathons have been an intrinsic part of Singaporean culture for decades, with the community joining hands every December to celebrate health, fitness, and strength at the SCSM. TCS encourages healthier living globally as a partner and sponsor at some of the largest marathons in the world. As the official mobile app partner and title sponsor of the SCSM corporate challenge, TCS encourages running communities and promotes marathon participation to build healthier, stronger, and more active communities.

  • Standard Chartered’s Sunil Kaushal joins MoneyTap as global advisor

    Standard Chartered’s Sunil Kaushal joins MoneyTap as global advisor

    NEW DELHI: Digital moneylender MoneyTap has roped in Standard Chartered CEO – Middle East and Africa Sunil Kaushal as global advisor for the company. He brings experience in diverse markets across north Asia, southeast Asia, south Asia, the Middle East, and Africa and has held senior roles in wholesale, retail, and SME banking, to name a few.

    Kaushal is a member of the bank’s global management team, which is the highest executive body within the bank. He brings around 33 years of rich experience and will advise and guide the board of MoneyTap as they venture into new financial and related services and expand its global footprint. 

    MoneyTap CEO & co-founder Bala Parthasarathy said, “With Sunil’s rich experience in digital banking, we feel more poised for our next leg of growth, especially in the international waters. His robust guidance will help us thrive immensely during these uncertain times, and help steer us squarely into the change zone and fast growth. We look forward to this collaboration and hope to leverage his expertise launching MoneyTap into a digitised future.”

    Kaushal added, "“I am excited to join MoneyTap at this critical juncture when the company is innovating and expanding at a rapid pace. Since its inception, the company has continued to maintain a strong growth trajectory, and I hope that they are able to continue their appetite to redefine the fintech space as they work on new products.”

  • Industry veterans gear up for Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon

    Industry veterans gear up for Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon

    MUMBAI : The city is already counting down the days to the biggest annual sporting extravaganza that Mumbaikars look forward to — the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon, which is scheduled to take off in the wee hours of 17 January.

     

    Be it the health minded ones or the record breakers or even those who simply run for a cause , every year the footfall at the marathon has only seen an upward growth. Several reports say that this year the figures may go up by four – five per cent. 

     

    With Mumbai as the stage, it is inevitable that several media personalities will also be taking part in the event, apart from the big names from other industries like finance and technology. 

     

    Familiar faces from media, advertising and marketing world who are expected to continue their tradition of running for the marathon include Grey Group India chairman and managing director Sunil Lulla, Ideas@bharatkapadia.com founder Bharat Kapadia and triggerbridge managing director and co-founder S Yesudas amongst others.

     

    Yesudas confesses his life has been very hectic given his new portfolio as an entrepreneur and the launch of his new venture. Yet, he wouldn’t give Mumbai Standard Chartered Marathon a miss for the world. In fact, he recalls how he barely made it to his last year’s agency conference in Bangkok just to run for the marathon.

     

    Having said that, he adds, “I wouldn’t go all out this year unlike my previous runs for the marathon. The reason is my injured right knee.” Because of which, Yesudas hasn’t been active lately in preparing for the marathon.

     

    “I participated for the Trivandrum Marathon in November, but since then I haven’t been running much. To get good timing, practicing long runs is a must, therefore this year I will be taking it easier,” Yesudas explains.

     

    It isn’t just Yesudas whose Mumbai Marathon will be marred a bit by injury. Well known marathon runner from the industry HDFC Life senior executive vice president Sanjay Tripathy will also skip running the full marathon due to the same. Nevertheless, Tripathy can’t help count us down the reasons why one should take running up. “Running is my passion and I have a torrid love affair with it! Running for a marathon has taken me beyond my comfort zone and helped me relax, take control over my mind and stay focused on a day to day basis,” shares Tripathy.

     

    “I have been training myself since 2003 to participate in marathons all over the country. Every year I work on increasing my intensity and distance while reducing the amount of time. Unfortunately, this year, I will be unable to participate in the marathon as I had a bad fall on my knee a month back. A stress fracture in the femur of my left leg will keep me out of running for a good eight to 12 weeks. But injuries are a part and parcel of a runner’s life and I am determined to come back stronger,” he adds.

     

    Industry veteran and well known marathoner Kapadia is up for the challenge this year as well. Last year, he managed to bring down his run time to 2 hours 12 mins from 2 hours 17 mins in the previous year. He hopes to beat his own record this year as well. “This will be my ninth year running in the Mumbai Marathon. My regular practice sessions are up. I usually start three and a half months before the D-Day. Right now I am going easy on running and concentrating on the right diet. The first three days of the week was protein heavy diet, while the next three days will be carbohydrate heavy,” shares Kapadia, who adds that he stopped long runs last Sunday to give his body rest.

     

    Having said that, Kapadia doesn’t run after ranks or timings in a marathon. “I personally keep three things in mind when running a marathon. Firstly my target is to complete the entire run; secondly I make sure I have fun on the way; and lastly to keep myself injury free,” he says.

     

    Grey Group India’s Lulla too plans to enjoy the marathon with his friends rather than keeping an eye on the clock while running. “I am doing stretches and abs to keep myself flexible for the time being,” he informs. 

     

    “This year the marathon isn’t about setting goals and breaking personal record for me. Been there and done that for the last few years. This year is about enjoying the run. I have been in and out of the city the entire year and hence hardly had the time to practice and prep up for the marathon. Not that it bothers me as this year my prime motive is to have fun with my friends who run together with me. I plan to take it slow and easy, saying hello to everyone on the way and maybe even clicking several picture to commemorate the day.”

     

    In fact, to mark the day and instil the idea of running for just fun, Lulla and his group of friends will be sporting T-shirts with #quickie written on it.

     

    While few familiar names are staying off the track this year, Yesudas doesn’t expect that to effect the footfall at the marathon, nor the industry’s representation in it. “I have a feeling several new faces will be seen running this year. I know that several of my friends within the industry have been gearing up to make their debut,” he says.

  • Standard Chartered ropes in Philips’ Cummings as global head of digital marketing

    Standard Chartered ropes in Philips’ Cummings as global head of digital marketing

    MUMBAI: Standard Chartered Bank has appointed Damien Cummings as global head of digital marketing.

     

    He will join the Bank in June 2015 and be based in Singapore, reporting directly to Standard Chartered Bank group head of brand and chief marketing officer Sanjeeb Chaudhuri.

     

    Cummings is currently vice president and chief marketing officer at Philips ASEAN and Pacific. He has over 20 years of experience in digital and marketing transformation. He is currently responsible for brand, communications and digital marketing across Philips Consumer Lifestyle, Philips Lighting and Philips Healthcare.

     

    Prior to joining Philips, he was the regional marketing director, digital and social media at Samsung Asia. Cummings has also worked at major global corporations in Australia and Singapore including Dell, Ogilvy, Citibank, Coca-Cola, NRMA and McKinsey & Company.

     

    Chaudhuri said, “I am delighted to welcome Damien to Standard Chartered. As a strategic hire for the marketing team, Damien will drive innovation and transformation in all aspects of digital and mobile marketing. I am confident that the appointment of an executive of this caliber will further strengthen the Bank’s brand and marketing leadership capabilities in the digital era.”

     

    Cummings will be responsible for providing digital and mobile marketing thought leadership as well as strategy formulation and execution. He will work with business partners to achieve our business aspirations across the Bank.