IPL 17 ads on TV up 15 percent as new categories and brands join the game

Sachin Tendulkar and Ageas Federal Life Insurance challenge conventional notions of financial planning

Swiggy Instamart to sell Star Wars and Harry Potter merchandise; Brings movie merch to quick commerce

Head-to-head: Caresmith takes a jab at Bombay Shaving Company's viral campaign

Raymond re-appoints Gautam Singhania as MD amidst high-profile divorce fight

Paytm's president and COO Bhavesh Gupta steps down

Representational image via Unsplash

Zee-Sony merger saga ends: Timeline of the failed merger

Why are Indian brands advertising in NYC's Times Square?

What Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick teaches us about leadership

Advertising is in the position where tobacco was: IPG's Arun Kumar 

Biz Moves: Interactive Avenues, Verve Media, Foxymoron and Grapes

There is an opportunity for building a better agency, not just a different one: Manja's Prajato Guha

Is LinkedIn emerging as a bigger threat than Threads for X?

Total broadband subscribers increase from 916.77 to 924.07 million in a month

Total broadband subscribers in India increase from 916.77 to 924.07 million in a month

Indian market has unexplored opportunities: Warren Buffett

CXO Moves: Exec movements across WPP, Ola Cabs, Havas India, Unilever and others

Piyush Pandey

Adtech regulation a priority for Modi govt in third term: MoS Rajeev Chandrasekhar

Credibility of news and platforms are as important as monetisation challenges: Anurag Thakur

HUL: Meet the leaders who have emerged from "The CEO Factory"

Punit Goenka addresses Zee employees; ensures no layoffs due to failed merger

Disney's strategic sale to Viacom18 set to boost market share to 40 percent

The Leader's Edge: Storyboard18 in conversation with leaders, decision makers and disruptors

Nobody’s Perfect Retro Porsche Ad

In Conversation With Raja Rajamannar, Mastercard

Shahid Kapoor And Varun Ganjoo Speaks On PokerBaazi's Campaign

In conversation with IHCL’s Puneet Chhatwal & GroupM’s Kate Scott-Dawkins

Why are brands including e-sports in their sports marketing itinerary?

Storyboard18 x The English Nut: How to pronounce these 10 brand names

Experts' Take On Reinvention Of Ad Campaigns Through Technology

Experts Speak On Key Emerging Trends In Cannes Lions Entries

Leaders of the future have to be outstanding human beings: Nestle MD

In conversation with VMLY&R’s Hari Ramanathan

Games24x7 announced the elevation of Tridib Mukherjee to the position of Chief Data Science & AI Officer. In his new role, Tridib will continue to drive Games24x7's data-centric approach, leveraging his extensive expertise in data science and artificial intelligence to drive innovation and enhance user experiences.

Having served as the Vice President of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at Games24x7 for over six years, Tridib played a pivotal role in implementing cutting-edge algorithms and AI-driven solutions that propelled Games24x7 to the forefront of the online gaming industry. Tridib will continue to spearhead data science & AI teams and enable product teams to create personalized and engaging experiences for players.

Commenting on the announcement, Bhavin Pandya, Co-CEO and Co-founder, Games24x7 said, “Our scientific approach to running business really goes all the way back to our inception and has been the primary force behind our success. We are delighted to announce Tridib's promotion to Chief Data Science & AI Officer. With his expertise and the exceptional talent of our AI and data science team, which has grown significantly over the past five years, we've continuously raised the bar when it comes to offering personalised gameplay experiences including responsible gaming.  We are confident that the organization will continue this tradition of innovation under his leadership, and we wish him the very best as he spearheads our data-driven journey to new heights.”

Tridib Mukherjee, now the Chief Data Science & AI Officer, Games24x7 said, “At Games24x7, we have always worked for the players and our operating ethos of 'Science of Gaming' has been the guiding principle behind every decision we make. Over the past six years, I've had the privilege of working alongside an incredibly talented team dedicated to advancing the frontiers of gaming through the lens of data science. And I look forward to many more years of collaboration and innovation as we continue our mission of leveraging technology to create even more engaging and enjoyable gaming experiences for our users.”

With over two decades of experience and a distinguished academic background, including a PhD in Computer Science & Engineering from Arizona State University, Tridib Mukherjee is uniquely positioned to lead Games24x7's data science initiatives to new heights. His prolific record as an author of over 70 research papers and multiple patents in AI and data sciences reflects his deep expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning, cloud computing, and more. The talented team at Games24x7, along with Tridib's leadership and award-winning contributions, positions the organization to shape the future direction of the industry and deliver unparalleled gaming experiences to its users.

Games24x7 elevates Tridib Mukherjee as Chief Data Science & AI Officer

Unilever's Chief People and Transformation Officer, Nitin Paranjpe, took to LinkedIn to share a story about defying self-doubt and finding unexpected joys in embracing a personal challenge, even if the results are... well, let's just say entertaining.


“I am musically challenged. I struggle with rhythm; I don’t have any natural talent. Around twenty years ago, I decided to test this. I wanted to see, if you are challenged in a particular field, what can you do with effort and discipline,” he said in his post.


<iframe src="https://www.linkedin.com/embed/feed/update/urn:li:share:7191801373401792512" height="747" width="504" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" title="Embedded post"></iframe>


Almost 20 years ago Paranjpe found someone to teach him the keyboard. “If you want to know the outcome of that study, I still play badly. That’s how I challenged I am,” he said.


But then it was still a win for him because he always thought he wouldn't be able to string together a tune even if he was given the notes. Paranjpe goes on about his tryst with music. 


He didn’t find a lot of success in his learning story but definitely found joy. “Anyone who listens to me today could well say-My god! After so many years you still suck,” he said.


And to that he’d say, “Yeah, and that's okay. You have no idea where I was compared to where I am now.” Paranjpe ended the note with a profound thought. He said, “What started off purely as a challenge has turned out to be a lot of fun.”


Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/hul-appoints-vipul-mathur-as-executive-director-personal-care-takes-over-from-madhusudhan-rao-30619.htm">HUL appoints Vipul Mathur as Executive Director, Personal Care</a>

Unilever’s Nitin Paranjpe shares an endearing story about his lack of musical talent

The marketing industry plays a dynamic role in influencing consumer behaviour and fostering economic growth. After the grand success of the first two editions of Storyboard18 Visionaries, held in Gurugram and Bengaluru, the program is now gearing up to be in the city of marketing and creative excellence, Mumbai. 


The third edition of Visionaries to be held on Friday, April 26th will witness some of the biggest names in brand marketing come together to celebrate the brilliance of marketing mavens.


Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/sustainability-at-heart-and-purpose-defines-the-path-diageos-hina-nagarajan-24779.htm">Sustainability at heart and purpose defines the path: Diageo India's Hina Nagarajan</a> 


Storyboard18 Visionaries celebrates luminaries from the world of brands and marketing who have disrupted and revolutionised the way we approach media and advertising. The Visionaries is a one of its kind platform that presents opportunities for the sharpest minds in the business to convene, celebrate excellence and exchange ideas that power growth. It is a night of gala celebration shaping the future of marketing in India.


The city chapters of Visionaries aim to bring together meaningful conversations, spotlighting path-breaking achievements and future gazing strategies.


Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/storyboard18-visionaries-britannias-varun-berry-shares-leadership-lessons-24840.htm">Storyboard18 Visionaries: Britannia's Varun Berry shares leadership lessons</a> 


The Mumbai event promises to be an evening to remember, with the coming together of iconic leaders and new-age marketers. The event will feature a keynote address by Bharat Puri, CEO, Pidilite Industries and a special address by Santosh Iyer, MD and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India Pvt Ltd. The evening will spotlight leading marketers from a wide-range of brands including HDFC Bank, P&G, Mercedes, Hindustan Unilever, Visa, L'Oreal, Mondelez, Spotify, UltraTech and Mahindra Group, among others. It will also feature engaging conversations with Nishant Kalra, Country Vice President, Salesforce, and MVS Murthy, CMO, Federal Bank, among others. The Visionaries programme for CXOs and executives brings a ringside view into ways of shaping consumer behaviour.


Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/quantum-brief/storyboard18-visionaries-bengaluru-chapter-blockbuster-celebration-of-marketing-brilliance-24771.htm">Storyboard18 Visionaries - Bengaluru chapter: Blockbuster celebration of marketing brilliance</a> 


The Visionaries programme for CXOs and executives provides unparalleled insights of how the best and brightest function in complex times. So, meet us at the point where cutting-edge ideas and visionary leaders who are changing our approach to media, marketing and advertising, converge to power transformation.


Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/the-visionaries">The Visionaries</a>

Storyboard18 Visionaries Mumbai Edition is here!: Join the celebration of marketing mavens

The Derma Co., an active ingredient backed skincare brand from Honasa Consumer Limited, marked a milestone of achieving an annual revenue rate of INR 500 crore. "This achievement underscores Honasa Consumers’ capabilities to craft and scale new brands with strategic innovations, delivering exceptional skincare solutions to consumers across India," Honasa Consumer said in a statement. The milestone demonstrate the strength of the brand's on-trend, data-based innovation strategy, the company stated. 

Its focus on leveraging data for product innovation and responding swiftly to emerging trends continues to be a cornerstone of the strategy, the company added. 

Commenting on this milestone, Varun Alagh, Co-Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Honasa Consumer Limited, says “The Derma Co.'s remarkable achievement of INR 500 crore annual run rate is a strong testament to our strategic brand-building approach at Honasa Consumer Limited. Our success is an output of in-depth consumer study of the evolving consumer demands and being able to innovate swiftly to deliver differentiated propositions to our consumers. This focus on excellence has helped us set new benchmarks across the active ingredient-based skincare segment. At Honasa, we are committed to continue our quest towards fueling our innovations and offer brands that serve the evolving consumer demands.”

Last month, Honasa Consumer Limited, the parent of Mamaearth, also launched ‘Staze’, a colour cosmetic line in a bid to enter the segment currently dominated by the likes of L'Oreal, Lakme, Sugar. “Staze is poised to carve its niche with a distinct emphasis on performance and innovation. We firmly believe that Gen Z consumers, who are seeking value and innovation, and Staze is uniquely positioned to meet and exceed their expectations", said Ghazal Alagh, Chief Innovation Officer, Honasa Consumer Ltd.

Varun Alagh added, “Honasa has always been at the forefront of innovation and being the pioneers in the BPC industry, we recognised a vital opportunity to address the burgeoning demand for innovative yet accessible colour cosmetics. And with the colour cosmetics segment boasting a remarkable CAGR of 12 percent and a substantial size of Rs 15,000 crore, it became evident that there was a gap in the market. These factors paved the way for Staze…”



Mamaearth-maker Honasa Consumer's second brand, The Derma Co., enters the Rs 500 crore ARR club

For Nidhi Mehta, director - finance, GOZOOP Group, Chief Financial Officers’ role extends beyond traditional finance boundaries. They are responsible for the finance and accounting professionals who perform operational functions and services in a strategic advisory role to the CEO and the rest of the C-suite peers. 


In a conversation with Storyboard18, she added, “A CFO's role commands a lot of respect in the ad agency as they advise other department heads, assist them in maximising revenues and controlling expenses without sacrificing customer needs and the agency's reputation.”


Edited Excerpts


Tell us about your career trajectory and journey. Where and how you started and what got you here.


I am a chartered accountant by profession. Post my three-year article ship, this is my first corporate job at GOZOOP Group. Years back I had not heard of GOZOOP but there was definitely a vibe when I entered the office for an interview. 


Digital Marketing was a thriving industry then and the core management at GOZOOP was impressive. The job profile offered was perfect and hence, there were no second thoughts. It's been years since that decision and since then there has been no looking back. 


What led you to join the advertising agency ecosystem in finance? What were your initial impressions and thoughts of the ad agency business? 


Advertising is always an exciting industry. In this new emerging era, where there is a wave of entrepreneurship and brand building, marketing today plays the most pivotal role for any new business start-up. Digital marketing helps thousands of new business entrepreneurs push boundaries and drive impact. 


How has the role of a CFO in an ad agency changed over the years? What does the job entail today? Where have you seen the biggest changes in what the role and function mean to the business? 


The CFO's role is extending beyond traditional finance boundaries and an increasing number of finance leaders view it as a pathway to the CEO position. The modern CFO is aspirational. 


Once mere observers in the boardroom, they are now crafting long-term strategies that ensure organisational stability. They are integral members of the top executive team, possessing a profound understanding of the company's vision. 


How do other departments and functions in the agency view the role of the CFO and the finance function? 


A CFO's and finance team's role in an ad agency is viewed as the most challenging role as they oversee the company's financial activities. This includes being responsible for the finance and accounting professionals who perform operational functions and services in a strategic advisory role to the CEO and the rest of the C-suite peers. 


A CFO's role commands a lot of respect in the ad agency as they advise other department heads, assist them in maximising revenues and controlling expenses without sacrificing customer needs and the agency's reputation.


How has the agency business model evolved? What have been the key changes and disruptions according to you and the impact of these shifts on the ad agency business model? 


Advertising agencies have evolved by leaps and bounds. It began with a simple printed ad in a newspaper and evolved into radio and television, commercials, billboards and digital advertising in the modern era. Advertising techniques have also become more sophisticated, incorporating psychology and consumer behaviour studies to create persuasive and effective campaigns.

 
Agencies are facing threats from all places. Is the business model future-ready? 


It is definitely future-ready as today the focus has shifted from the product to address consumer needs. With the emergence of new technologies and data-driven approaches, agencies can remain indispensable by tapping into this potential. 


However, with the pace of changes happening across the industry, agencies that do not develop a framework and plan for modernising their operational model that's inclusive of AI and technology will likely encounter increased challenges with both client and talent retention. 


From your observation, do you see any gender inequality or disparity in the finance function across levels? Agency leadership has traditionally been male dominated and advertising was seen as a boys club. Does that hold true for finance as well and the CFOs in advertising?


Not at all. The finance department at GOZOOP was and is always driven by women leadership. As far as the industry is concerned, there are several factors that lead to one's leadership goal.


What are the steps ad agencies must take to advance CFOs' role in advertising?


Agencies should enhance better communication between CFOs and other departmental heads. Regular meetings between them are needed to negotiate and discuss expenses and budgets that are aligned to the company's goals. 


A CFO should be made an integral part of all important decision-making of the agency as finance and marketers think and behave very differently. A combination of their brainstorming where marketers are driven by creativity and finance is driven by numbers and budgets could lead to some amazing outcomes for both the client and the agency.


What according to you are the biggest threats facing the advertising agency business today?

In-housing and talent retention are two of the biggest pressures that agencies face today. The threat remains that a brand will bring certain functions in-house, leaving agencies without that business. Brands are in-house because they believe they can do better work in a cheaper, faster and more transparent way. The other big issue is around both recruitment and retention of talent. There has always been volatility for agencies around talent. 


What are the trends you are currently witnessing in advertising, and what is the role of a CFO in such a scenario?


The rapid emergence of AI and the increasing role of technology within business operations is the current trend. CFOs should follow a test-and-learn approach where with their ability they are ready to take a smart risk and foresee how certain trends will impact their business. 


They should encourage the team to begin taking steps now to experiment with AI, explore how technology can drive operational value for the business, and help them understand how internal talent is spending their time and how to maximise their value for the business. 


Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/managing-your-mind-at-work-and-beyond-isnt-easy-it-takes-a-lot-of-maturity-and-wisdom-says-bajaj-autos-deepika-warrier-16913.htm">Managing your mind at work and beyond isn't easy; it takes a lot of maturity and wisdom, says Bajaj Auto’s Deepika Warrier</a>

CFOs breaking boundaries, crafting long-term strategies for organisational stability: Nidhi Mehta, GOZOOP Group

Anupam Mittal, the founder and CEO of People Group and Shaadi.com, and a prominent investor on Shark Tank India, is widely recognized for his strategic investments in renowned startups and unicorn companies such as Ola Cabs, BigBasket, Druva, among others. Mittal is also one of the leading voices to take on big tech firms like Google and Meta, slamming them for their "unfair" monopolistic practices in markets like India. 

On April 9, Meta "arbitrarily" disabled his company's account, prompting Mittal to call out the Mark Zuckerberg-led company on social media. Mittal also tagged Meta's India operations' head Sandhya Devanathan in the post. 

A frustrated Mittal said, "So, shockingly our Meta account was arbitrarily disabled this morning with nobody in the know or able to help, even at our scale. This is the dysfunction of Big Tech & monopolies, something hashtag#cci must take note of. Sandhya Devanathan" 

Netizens chimed in with sympathies and suggestions. Relating to Mittal's frustration users said Meta is "only sale no support" while some urged Mittal to assemble all the Sharks and create their own Made-in-India social media platform like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. 

When Mittal took on Google 

On March 1, Google announced it would remove apps from 10 Indian developers, including Shaadi.com, Naukri.com, jeevansathi.com, and Bharat Matrimony, from its Play Store in India for non-compliance with its billing policies. Among the most prominent voices that spoke out against Google's practices, was Anupam Mittal. 

“Today is a dark day for India Internet,” Mittal said as he came out hitting hard against Google’s action of delisting Indian apps. 

Mittal wrote on X, “Google has delisted major apps from its app store even though legal hearings are underway @CCI_India & @indSupremeCourt Their false narratives & audacity show they have little regard for India. Make no mistake - this is the new Digital East India Co and this #Lagaan must be stopped! Pls RT and #SaveOurStartups”.

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-marketing/anupam-mittal-asks-is-google-evil-as-the-battle-between-google-and-indian-app-developers-rages-on-25363.htm">Read more: Anupam Mittal asks, "Is Google evil?", as the battle between Google and Indian app developers rages on</a>

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-marketing/interactive-avenues-anupam-mittals-first-investment-as-an-angel-investor-25997.htm">Read more: Interactive Avenues: Anupam Mittal’s first investment as an angel investor</a>

Angry Mittal?: Anupam Mittal "shocked" after Meta disables his company's account

DTDC Express Ltd., a leading express logistics provider in India has elevated Abhishek Chakraborty as its Chief Executive Officer. In his new role, Chakraborty will continue to propel DTDC forward, solidifying its position as a front-runner in the logistics industry with the aim to drive substantial growth and innovation for the company.

Chakraborty said: “Encapsulating our direction of “Building a NextGen DTDC for GenNext DTDCians”,... together we will continue to foster a culture of shared success and excellence.”

Before assuming the role of CEO, Chakraborty led DTDC as Executive Director for 15 years. He played a pivotal role in establishing a strategic partnership between DTDC and Geopost (owned by La Poste). He also spearheaded the DTDC and Amarex partnership and introduced many initiatives like launching the MyDTDC app and introducing DTDCShipAssure™, DTDC’s 100 percent money-back guarantee service that enabled the company to achieve new heights. His strategic leadership expanded the company’s network to 16,000+ partners, serving 96 percent of India’s population and the larger South Asian diaspora globally.

DTDC operates India’s largest physically accessible express logistics Network and has over 16,000+ exclusive channel partners that contribute to its sales and service capabilities.

DTDC Express promotes Abhishek Chakraborty to the CEO position

MakeMyTrip has achieved a significant milestone in its two-decade-long journey by becoming accessible worldwide, the company said in an announcement this week. 

MakeMyTrip has now expanded its reach to over 150 countries, including major travel markets such as the UK, Germany, Japan, Italy, France, and others, besides the US and the UAE. 

“The rigorous standards of compliance and commitment to data protection we have in place for our Indian business helped us transition smoothly towards stringent international compliances,” said Rajesh Magow, co-founder and chief executive officer of MakeMyTrip.

“We are indebted to the trust and affection that we have received from Indian travelers for over two decades and continue to hold ourselves to higher standards and standard operating procedures (SOPs) on a regular basis. Our decision to make MakeMyTrip accessible globally is a result of this very goal – testing our processes against rigorous protocols across the world to enable our travelers to book or modify their travel purchases on the platform without any roadblocks wherever they are geographically,” he said.

MakeMyTrip said the platform has also ensured compliance with various international regulations, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), to accomplish this expansion.

Magow added, “Our global accessibility will help us reach the vast Indian diaspora. Importantly, this expansion will enable us to cater to a broader audience, fostering increased inbound travel to India. Our extensive coverage, offering accommodations in more than 2,000 cities, will assist international tourists in discovering the hidden gems of India.”




MakeMyTrip CEO on expansion in 150 countries: Global accessibility will help MMT reach Indian diaspora

When Storyboard18 asked Maruti Suzuki's Shashank Srivastava what interests him outside of work, he said, "My hobby is chess, and I make it a point to keep up with the latest trends in the game." He told us, "It not only helps me focus on something other than work, but also, chess is a great game which involves a lot of planning. It involves a lot of discipline." Discipline and planning are what he seems to have perfected at Maruti Suzuki India, a firm known for its meticulous planning and emphasis on discipline given the brand's Japanese lineage and influence. 

 
On March 27, the auto major elevated Shashank Srivastava from the position of Head – Marketing and Sales to ‘Member Executive Committee’. In many ways, it's an end of an era in the marketing world, as Srivastava moves on from his current role and into an advisory one as part of a core leadership group. 


Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/watch-listen/media-dialogues-with-storyboard18-maintaining-continuity-in-change-maruti-suzuki-mindshare-drive-ahead-19528.htm">Media Dialogues with Storyboard18: Maintaining continuity In change, Maruti-Suzuki & Mindshare drive ahead</a>


A Maruti lifer, Srivastava is a leading figure in the Indian business and marketing world, having led the country's top carmaker as its sales and marketing boss for several years. Srivastava started his career at the automotive company in 1989. It was his first job after graduating from Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A). Holding a bachelor's degree in telecommunication and electronics engineering from National Institute of Technology (NIT), Bhopal, he joined IIM-A in 1987. Despite having offers from the Asian Paints and Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Srivastava was very clear that his path lay in the automotive industry and with Maruti Suzuki. 


Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/maruti-suzukis-shashank-srivastava-it-is-crucial-to-celebrate-achievements-to-foster-a-positive-work-environment-15928.htm">Maruti Suzuki’s Shashank Srivastava: It is crucial to celebrate achievements to foster a positive work environment</a> 


Srivastava, the marketing maven who is an avid reader of books on science and especially quantum physics, has been a strong proponent for constant learning and adapting with the times. He emphasised empowering his team members through collaboration and communication. “My intention is to help others succeed and become leaders in their own right. True leadership is, therefore, not about being in charge but inspiring and guiding others to achieve their full potential,” he said. It is about creating a culture of continuous learning and development; “When we invest in our colleagues’ growth and development, we develop better leaders and build a more substantial organisation.” 


In a previous conversation with Storyboard18, when asked about a work and life hack he swears by, Srivastava had said,"Time boxing is a very powerful productive technique. What you do is you schedule specific blocks of time for different tasks. That's something which optimises efficiency. For a life hack, I would say, practice gratitude. It significantly improves one's overall well-being. If one is grateful for what you have, big or small, it helps you appreciate the good things, and makes you feel better." 


Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/marutis-shashank-srivastava-on-why-indians-no-longer-need-to-kick-tyres-or-smell-leather-to-buy-cars-4932.htm">Maruti’s Shashank Srivastava on why Indians no longer need to kick tyres or smell leather to buy cars</a>

Maruti's former marketing boss Shashank Srivastava keeps this quote in his diary

Gangu Ramsay, cinematographer, filmmaker, and one of the seven Ramsay Brothers has passed away at the age of 83. Ramsay was known for producing horror films like ‘Purani Haveli’ and ‘Tehkhana’. 


In the 1970s and 1980s, Ramsay Brothers—originally known as Ramsinghani—began to make a string of B-grade films in the horror genre. The films, which highlighted vampires, werewolves, zombies, etc became popular for showcasing a mix of horror and erotica.


Gangu had also worked in television, with shows such as "The Zee Horror Show", "Saturday Suspense", "X Zone" and "Nagin" to his credit, as stated by a CNBC-TV18 report.


Some of his other films that he produced include Veerana, Bandh Darwaza, Do Gaz Zameen Ke Neeche.


In the book ‘In A Cult of Their Own: Bollywood Beyond Box Office’, writer Amborish Roychoudhury explained how each and every aspect of filmmaking was handled by the Ramsay brothers, highlighted an ET report.


Kumar penned scripts, Kiran composed sounds, Gangu was the cameraman, Keshu assisted with cinematography, and Arjun took care of post-production and editing. Direction was handled by Tulsi and Shyam, the report further stated.


Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/unacademys-former-cmo-karan-shroff-joins-lightfury-games-as-ceo-28509.htm">Unacademy’s former CMO Karan Shroff sets up LightFury Games</a>

Gangu Ramsay, one of the seven Ramsay Brothers passes away at 83

Anurag Gupta, who led ada, a marketing company as chief operating officer, has joined Womb Communications as chief executive officer.

Gupta, who started his career at Ogilvy & Mather, went on to work across DDB Mudra Group, WPP and Wunderman.

As the chief growth officer - Asia Pacific, Wunderman, Gupta hacked growth through setting up e-commerce practice in Asia Pacific, new business acquisition in China, India, Indonesia and worked with regional clients to expand group footprint.

As the chief operating officer at WPP, his responsibility was to integrate more than 25 WPP agencies in the region to grow WPP’s business, provide thought leadership in creating innovative agency models, and enhance core creative product by integrating the creative, digital, insight and media agencies on WPP’s biggest brands.


Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/paytm-moneys-ceo-varun-sridhar-resigns-30599.htm">Paytm Money's CEO Varun Sridhar resigns</a>

Womb Communications appoints Anurag Gupta as CEO

Previously, he was the chief operating officer at ada, a marketing company.

X's global affairs head, Nick Pickles, announced his departure from the social media company on Thursday after a decade-long tenure. Pickles, who joined Twitter in 2014 and rose to the position of Vice President of Global Affairs at X, stated that he had made the decision to leave several months ago and was working closely with CEO Linda Yaccarino during the transition.

While the reasons for Pickles' departure remain unclear, his resignation comes amidst a series of high-profile exits from the company. In June, X's head of business operations, Joe Benarroch, left the company, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Pickles played a crucial role in X's interactions with various governments, serving as the company's spokesperson in battles with countries such as Brazil. Last week, Brazil suspended access to X after the company failed to meet a court-imposed deadline to appoint a legal representative. Musk has accused the Brazilian government of censorship, while the judge overseeing the case has insisted that X needs stricter hate speech regulations.

Twitter veteran Nick Pickles resigns from Elon Musk's X

Kedar Lele, who led Hindustan Unilever (HUL) as executive director - head of sales and customer development, South Asia, has stepped down from his role.

He stated, "Friday, 30th Aug I walked out of the Mumbai head-office as its employee for the last time. Only to become a life-long admirer of what this organization stands for – Integrity, Respect, Pioneering spirit, and Responsibility. With amazing brands and unmatched quality of people, there couldn’t have been a better combination creating a winning recipe. As I write this last note, I am filled with gratitude and memories of the time I have spent with this organization."


He added, "HUL is not a company but an institution. One that builds leaders. One that shapes character and personality, gives confidence and courage, teaches resilience and discipline. It fills its people with a sense of responsibility towards their teams, community, and environment. It also provides all the training, support, and opportunities to help the employees achieve their own potential and become the best version of themselves. So much that one can never repay the debt of this company. Only way is to pay it forward. Everyday."


Lele started his career in advertising as an account supervisor at Mudra Communications, and then went on to work at Monster.com and Kimberly Clark Lever.


He started his career at Unilever as a marketing manager for the ice cream department. At Kimberly Clark lever, as the head - sales and marketing, he led the sales and marketing function for Kimberly Clark Lever (joint venture of Hindustan Unilever & Kimberly Clark) based out of Pune. 


As the functional leader, he managed the brand team for infant & feminine care businesses with end to end marketing responsibility. 


He also played an active role in building functional capability of the marketing resources across the South & East Asian Developing & Emerging Counties (SADEC) in Kimberly Clark network.



Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/microsoft-appoints-rodrigo-kede-lima-as-president-asia-41505.htm">Microsoft Asia president Ahmed Mazhari to step down; Rodrigo Kede Lima to take over</a>

Kedar Lele moves on from HUL

Accenture Song, a tech powered creative group, has roped in Arun Kumar as the global head of data and artificial intelligence.


Kumar, who joins Accenture Song after a period of independent consultancy, will report to Baiju Shah, global chief strategy officer, Accenture Song.


Before venturing into independent consultancy, Kumar was the chief data and marketing technology officer at Interpublic Group (IPG).


In that role, he was responsible for developing its data and technology solutions globally and growing its addressable media buying practice, stated a media report. Further, he was also involved in IPG’s major acquisitions. 


On September 2, Mark Green, who was the co-founder and chief executive officer of Australia based creative agency, The Monkeys and who currently leads Accenture Song's Australia and New Zealand operations as president, has been named the global CEO of Droga5. He will assume the role starting in October 2024 and will relocate to New York city.


Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/droga5-names-mark-green-as-its-global-ceo-41050.htm">Droga5 names Mark Green as its global CEO </a>

Accenture Song appoints Arun Kumar as Global Head - Data and AI

Microsoft has appointed Rodrigo Kede Lima as the new President for Microsoft Asia, with immediate effect. He succeeds Ahmed Mazhari, who has served in the role for five years. 
 

In his new role, Lima will harness his experience in driving digital transformation and collaboration to spearhead Microsoft’s work in the region. He will lead a business that comprises 20 countries and a diverse team of 30,000 employees.  


He will report to Judson Althoff, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Microsoft Corporation.  


“I am thrilled to welcome Rodrigo Kede Lima as the new President for Microsoft Asia. Rodrigo’s extensive experience and proven leadership in driving digital transformation make him the perfect fit for this role. His commitment to empowering our people, customers and partners will be invaluable as we lead AI Transformation in the region and make a significant impact on the communities we serve. I would also like to thank Ahmed Mazhari for his key contributions in building Microsoft’s reputation as a trusted partner in Asia,” said Judson Althoff.   


Since joining Microsoft in 2020, he has held various leadership roles, including President for Microsoft Americas Enterprise, where he oversaw all Enterprise accounts across Canada, Latin America, and three US Geographic Operating Units. Under his leadership as President for Microsoft Latin America, Rodrigo spearheaded growth and innovation by empowering customers and communities across 30 offices in 22 markets. 
 

Prior to Microsoft, Lima held multiple national and international roles at IBM, including President of IBM Brazil and President for Latin America. He has a strong background in corporate finance and has led significant initiatives in the technology sector, stated the company.   


“I am truly honored and excited to take on the role of President for Microsoft Asia. This region is at the forefront of digital transformation and now has the opportunity to lead the world in the era of AI. I am committed to work with our talented teams to drive innovation and empower our customers and partners to ride this next wave. In doing so, we will unlock inclusive growth for all across Asia,” said Lima.   


He holds a degree in Mechanical and Production Engineering from the Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro; an MBA in Finance/Capital Markets from the INSPER Institute in São Paulo; and graduated from Harvard Business School, AMP Class 192. 


Read More: F<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/flipkarts-dhruvish-thakkar-joins-swiggy-as-avp-revenue-growth-swiggy-dineout-41454.htm">lipkart's Dhruvish Thakkar joins Swiggy as AVP - revenue & growth - Swiggy Dineout</a>

Microsoft Asia president Ahmed Mazhari to step down; Rodrigo Kede Lima to take over

Japneet Singh Sethi, who led Khelraja as country manager - Southeast Asian markets, has joined DDL Game as chief marketing officer.


Sethi began his career at South Asian Fund Raising Group, and went on to work across DigiStreet Media, Vermillion Communication, Span Communications, One Co.Work, Adda52.com, 4RABET and Growe.


As the marketing lead - India at Growe (Earlier Parimatch International) an online Sportsbook and Casino entertainment providers, his role was to oversee the marketing and communications strategy for the brand. 


As per his LinkedIn profile, his journey began in advertising, where he contributed to the growth and success of more than 1000 brands. This has empowered him to drive results in the iGaming sector, leveraging industry insights to navigate market challenges and seize opportunities. 


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Japneet Singh Sethi joins DDL Game as CMO

Dhruvish Thakkar, who led Flipkart as senior director, head of marketing & revenue - Flipkart Epharma, has joined Swiggy as AVP - revenue and growth, Swiggy Dineout.


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In a post put out by Swiggy, he stated, "I’m thrilled to join Swiggy, a brand I’ve long admired for its innovative and customer-first mindset. I look forward to collaborating with the incredible teams that have been fuelling Swiggy’s growth. My goal is to enhance dining out in India, making it more enjoyable, rewarding and seamless, turning every meal into a celebration of flavours, fun and zero hassle."


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On his departure from Flipkart, in a LinkedIn post, he highlighted, "When I first walked through the doors of Flipkart, I was driven by ambition and a desire to make an impact. Now, a decade later, as I leave, I’m walking away with so much more than just titles or achievements—I’m leaving with a lifetime of memories, friendships, and invaluable lessons that have shaped who I am today."


He added, "This journey has been about embracing challenges, seizing opportunities, and making an impact. From driving category marketing for Flipkart Fashion, to leading the biggest Sale events at Flipkart, to driving revenue growth at Myntra, to shaping the revenue and customer goals at Flipkart Health+, every step has been an adventure, filled with learnings and triumphs."


In his previous role at Flipkart, Thakkar led brand marketing, performance marketing, revenue planning, sell-side, pricing, merchandising, customer retention and growth charters for Flipkart's Epharma business. His expertise spans across fashion, beauty, social commerce, gaming and healthcare.


He began his career at Xebec Communications and went on to work across GlaxoSmithKline, Whirlpool Corporation and Myntra.



Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/oml-entertainment-elevates-tusharr-kumar-to-ceo-41447.htm">OML Entertainment elevates Tusharr Kumar to CEO</a>

Flipkart's Dhruvish Thakkar joins Swiggy as AVP - revenue & growth - Swiggy Dineout

OML Entertainment, a cultural and creative company in branded content, advertising and entertainment, has elevated Tusharr Kumar as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Kumar brings over 15 years of experience across new-media, automotive and FMCG industries. He has been associated with OML Entertainment since 2012 in various capacities across different businesses.

 
After a nine-year tenure with OML Entertainment including the last five years as CEO, Gunjan Arya is moving on from the company. Arya, outgoing CEO of OML Entertainment, said, "I couldn’t be more proud to announce Tusharr as our CEO. It has been an incredible journey at OML Entertainment, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such talented and passionate individuals. Together, we've pioneered new forms of entertainment, expanded globally, and driven cultural change through innovative content. While moving on is a bittersweet decision, I am confident in the bright future that lies ahead for OML Entertainment with Tusharr at the helm. Tusharr has been a driving force at OML Entertainment, and I couldn't be more confident in his ability to lead the company as the next CEO. His deep understanding of the content and creator landscape, and our revenue ecosystems, combined with his strategic vision and acumen, make him the ideal leader to steer OML Entertainment during the company’s next phase of growth.”

 
Under Arya’s leadership, OML Entertainment has transformed into a leading global player in digital media and entertainment; seen two successful businesses spun out to merge with strategic partners; expanded the company’s international footprint to 20 countries; and launched Hypothesis the global influencer marketing tech platform, among significant growth milestones. She focused on expanding the company’s key leadership across branded services verticals, original content studio and tech-enabled influencer marketing, resulting in the creation of successful shows, new IPs and partnerships with top artists and brands.


As CEO, Kumar will ensure the company’s growth across businesses and markets. In his most recent role as COO since 2021, he oversaw the company’s operations and successfully spearheaded initiatives that have further strengthened the company’s position as one of India’s largest independent branded content, advertising and entertainment companies. With diverse experience across new media, automotive and FMCG industries, Tusharr has worked at brands like Ducati, Royal Enfield and Parle-Agro.

 
Speaking about his new role, Kumar said, “I’m really excited about what the future holds for OML Entertainment and am confident that the upward trajectory we’ve been on will continue. This confidence comes from our biggest asset, our incredible teams along with trusted partnerships with artists, clients and investors. We have always been at the forefront of creativity and cultural innovation. I’m looking forward to leading OML Entertainment as we push boundaries and build on the solid foundation laid by Gunjan. As we build what we’ve dreamed of, we will continue to ask ourselves – are we shaping culture? Are we bringing voices to life? Most importantly, are we creating and not just following? ”

 
Rajesh Kamat, Managing Director of Emerald Media and investor in OML Entertainment added, "Tusharr’s elevation to CEO is a testament to his exceptional leadership and his unwavering commitment to excellence. Under his guidance, OML Entertainment has achieved remarkable milestones, and I have no doubt that he will continue to build on this momentum. Tusharr's vision for OML Entertainment aligns perfectly with our goals as investors, and we are thrilled to support him as he leads the company to new heights.”


OML Entertainment’s key focus areas will include expanding its fast-growing advertising and branded content businesses, doubling down on its long-form original content productions, and driving the global growth of its influencer marketing platform, Hypothesis. 


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OML Entertainment elevates Tusharr Kumar to CEO

Integral Ad Science, a global media measurement and optimization platform, announced the appointment of Marc Grabowski as Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Srishti Gupta as Chief Product Officer (CPO), effective September 16, 2024.


Grabowski, previously the Global Vice President of Oracle Advertising, will oversee the company’s global commercial organisation prioritising customer success, business strategy, and company commercial operations. Gupta, former Chief Product Officer at Rokt, will lead the company’s product strategy, product development, and go-to-market initiatives. Grabowski and Gupta will report directly to Lisa Utzschneider, CEO of IAS. 


“We are delighted to welcome Marc and Srishti to IAS as they will enhance our senior leadership team, strengthen our customer-first approach, and advance our product development to meet the future needs of our customers and partners,” said Lisa Utzschneider, CEO of IAS. “Marc and Srishti have a shared focus on innovation and agility which is essential in our fast-paced and dynamic industry. We look forward to their contributions as we continue to enable our customers to maximize performance while safeguarding and scaling their digital media investments.”


Grabowski brings extensive leadership and experience across the demand and supply sides of the advertising industry. He joins IAS from Oracle Advertising where he led Oracle’s global go-to-market organization for Oracle’s Advertising products, including Moat, Datalogix, BlueKai, and Grapeshot. Previously, Grabowski served as Executive Vice President of Global Supply & Business Development at Criteo; held the CEO role at Persio, a B2B mobile marketing platform that was later acquired by Clutch.com; and spent nearly a decade at Yahoo! in various sales roles.


“IAS’s focus on data integrity and its trusted AI-backed technology, along with the company’s capabilities in social media, the open web, Connected TV (CTV), and other emerging channels makes this an exciting opportunity,” said Grabowski. “I’m excited to offer my experience in strategy and execution to IAS’s strong bench of talent to drive superior results for our customers and partners.”


Gupta is a seasoned executive and visionary product leader, with a track record of delivering growth in both B2B and B2C products across various advertising channels, including CTV. Most recently, she served as Chief Product Officer at Rokt, an e-commerce technology company, where she was responsible for delivering a highly relevant and performant experience across billions of e-commerce transactions. 


Before joining Rokt, Gupta was the Director of Ads Measurement at Amazon where she spearheaded the creation of cross-channel measurement products. Earlier, she held the role of President and General Manager for IRI’s Digital and Media Solutions.


“As marketers look to maximize return on their digital ad investments across channels, IAS has continued to innovate with high velocity and flexibility,” said Gupta. “I look forward to building on this strong foundation, driving customer value through industry-leading products, and furthering IAS’s mission of delivering trust and transparency in digital media quality.”


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Integral Ad Science appoints Marc Grabowski and Srishti Gupta as COO and CPO

Amrita Asrani, who led Reckitt as global brand marketing director - fabric care and fashion - strategy and innovation, has been appointed by Amway as chief marketing officer.


Asrani, who began her career at Abbott Healthcare, went on to work across GSK Consumer Healthcare, and ITC Limited.


During her stint at Reckitt, Asrani drove transformative growth in emerging D2C channels and designing a purpose-led global disruptive innovation pipeline.


She drove 3X growth by building a e-Fashion Shopper Ecosystem Business Model. She led the re-invention roadmap to launch Vanish as a Digital Native brand in India, China & Japan. 


As the head - marketing, business strategy & NPD- FMCG health & wellness foods & beverages at ITC Limited, Asrani led ITC's diversification into Health F&B, Functional and Fortified F&B and Specialized Nutrition through Disruptive Health & Wellness Platforms.


She spearheading high-growth consumer health benefit opportunities in 'Specialized Food & Nutrition' categories across Kids Health, Diabetes, Heart Health, Weight Management, Cognition, Immunity & Digestive Health.


She pioneered new business models for consumerizing FMCG Health & Wellness Foods & Beverages & creating the Right-To-Win for ITC.


She pursued micro-targeting & consumer segmentation strategies as part of precision oriented Marketing Program to accelerate trial and adoption.


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Reckitt's Amrita Asrani joins Amway as CMO

upGrad Enterprise, the corporate skilling and workforce development division of upGrad has made five strategic leadership appointments in the last three months to accelerate its expansion. 


Shirin Rai Gupta brings over a decade of B2B marketing, partnerships, and reputation management experience from Google, TrulyMadly, and other top tech firms. An alumnus of Lady Sri Ram College for Women & Warwick Business School, Rai specialises in designing innovative strategies to drive transformative impact. 


She achieved success at TrulyMadly through the #BreakingStereotypes campaign, played a pivotal role in the launch of The Practice's digital arm, and most recently led marketing for ThinkwithGoogle (India) in addition to her contributions to Google India's Ads & Brand Marketing charters. At upGrad Enterprise, she’s leading the brand & marketing efforts to drive scale.



Mayank Manohar and Harshal Goyal join the leadership team, bringing extensive expertise in education and talent solutions. 


Manohar, brings 16 years of experience in education and is driving strategic expansion of the Study Abroad vertical, focusing on product adoption, market penetration, and revenue growth. Goyal, with 12 years of expertise in global talent solutions, has scaled tech staffing verticals at Randstad. He has completed executive development programs from London Business School and IIM-B. He will spearhead talent solutions, utilising AI-powered talent mapping and predictive analytics to connect corporates with tech professionals, driving market penetration and growth.


Dikshit Jain and Narasimha Jagarlapudi will drive Sales and lead the scaling of cross-functional and corporate Sales, Technical Sales Enablement, Data-Driven Sales Solutions, and Strategic Bid Management at upGrad Enterprise. 


Jain has worked across brands like Capgemini, Virtusa, and Wipro, and leveraged emerging technologies such as AIML Plug-ins and GenAI use cases to drive business outcomes. An IIT Madras and XLRI Jamshedpur alumn, Jagarlapudi brings over a decade of experience from top-tier consulting firms, including BCG and PwC, where he led initiatives in pricing, productivity improvement, sales acceleration, and strategic bid management, and drove CRM design and implementation.


"We have charted out a high-growth plan for upGrad Enterprise, and these strategic appointments mark a significant segue into our next phase of growth,” noted Srikanth Iyengar, CEO - upGrad Enterprise. 


He added, “As our India business continues to grow significantly, we've been attracting interest from global organisations and MNCs organically. The arrival of these leaders perfectly complements our brand and expansion strategy, as we strengthen our focus on profitable high growth. Their proven record in translating market requirements into business results, scaling operations, and delivering exceptional customer experiences makes them product makers and will accelerate our mission of establishing upGrad Enterprise as a global disruptor within corporate skilling and talent solutioning."


All these five appointments have assumed offices and are based out of India. 


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Womb Communications appoints Anurag Gupta as CEO

Previously, he was the chief operating officer at ada, a marketing company.

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