Rajeev Rakshit, who led Thinking Folks Brand Solutions as chief executive officer and managing partner, has joined Leo Burnett as executive director. He is the head of southern operations of Leo Burnett India.

Rakshit began his career at Publicis and went on to work across Everest Brand Solutions Y&R, HMV Saregama India, McCann Erickson, L&K Saatchi and Mediology Software. 


At L&K Saatchi, as the president, his responsibilities included driving growth for both top and bottom line, with a specific focus on new business. Being a part of Management and Executive Committee, there were additional responsibilities for heading and expanding the business opportunities for the Digital and Engagement arm of the agency in the northern markets, proactively. 


Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/shivani-tiwari-joins-ajio-as-head-of-growth-and-digital-marketing-29130.htm">Shivani Tiwari joins AJIO as head of growth and digital marketing</a>

Leo Burnett India appoints Rajeev Rakshit as executive director

Previously, Rajeev Rakshit led Thinking Folks Brand Solutions as chief executive officer and managing partner.

Leo Burnett appoints Rajeev Rakshit as executive director

WhatsApp vs Indian Govt: What does the Indian Government want from WhatsApp?

Indian creativity going global?: A 2023 Coke Brazil campaign seems to be inspired by a 2019 Swiggy activation

Global connected car sales to exceed 500 million in 2024-2030; China, USA, India to lead sales

News18 Network mega exclusive with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to telecast on Monday at 9 PM

Parle takes top spot in IPL 2024 TV ad race in the first 39 matches

Whisper Media appoints Nidhee Kekre to its advisory board

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

Hemant Bakshi, the Unilever exec who joined Ola Cabs as CEO quits after four months

Online gaming industry faces potential 50 percent revenue drop after 6 months of 28 percent GST implementation

Good brands begin and end with the consumer: Pidilite's Bharat Puri

EXCLUSIVE: Parag Milk Food’s Rs 125-140 crore media business up for grabs; calls agencies for pitch

EXCLUSIVE: Parag Milk Food’s Rs 125-140 crore media business up for grabs?

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

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

Sanjay Nayar, a well-known name in the global financial markets and Founder and Chairman, Sorin Investment Fund, has taken over as President of the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM). Nayar is married to Nykaa's CEO and founder Falguni Nayar.
 
Nayar brings an experience of four decades in global financial and capital markets, including 25 years at Citi and nearly 14 at KKR, before retiring last year. He established KKR India operations in 2009 after leaving Citigroup. At KKR, Sanjay led investments of around USD 14 Billion in Private Equity, Real Estate, Infrastructure, and Credit with Private equity being the largest at approximately USD 10 billion valuation. He has worked across senior leadership positions in Citigroup for 25 years in India, UK, and USA. He served as the CEO of Citigroup's Indian and South Asian operations and was a member of Citigroup’s Global Management Committee and Asia Executive Operating Committee.

He serves as a Non-Executive Director at the new-age E-commerce company NYKAA founded by him and his wife Falguni Nayar. He was recently appointed as a non-official member of the Board of Trade, Government of India, representing the private sector, and is a member of the National Startup Advisory Council. He is also a member of the Board of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF), the Governing Board of the Indian School of Business (ISB), a member of the Advisory Board of Habitat for Humanity, Chairman of Grameen Impact Investments India (GIII); and Founder – Board Member of Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP).


Nayar said, "It is indeed a great honor for me to be elected as the President of ASSOCHAM, the apex institution with a history of over 100 years in its service to the Nation. During my Presidency, my ASSOCHAM colleagues and I will work closely with the government on the visionary goal of our Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for India to become a developed nation with a multi-fold increase in the country's per capita income and continuation of bold economic growth. I look forward to supporting the efforts being made by the industry to achieve the country’s sustainability goals." 


"India remains a bright spot in the global economy and we must leverage this position further. Given the recent success of Startup Mahakumbh led by ASSOCHAM, I look forward to catalyzing the startup culture backed by private and public savings”, he said.


“ASSOCHAM would continue to play a pro-active role in the endeavour of nation building. Aligned with its four growth pillars, I look forward to furthering efforts to facilitate the MSME segment, through improved financing and digitization. The Chamber would remain an active partner of the government in the policy formulations for inclusive growth with a sense of social responsibility", said Nayar.

 

Sanjay Nayar takes over as ASSOCHAM President

Billionaire Elon Musk told his his almost 180 million followers on X (known as Twitter in the pre-Musk era) that he’s off to a new job at Disney.

The Tesla and X owner wrote: “Excited to join Disney as their Chief DEI Officer. Can’t wait to work with Bob Iger & Kathleen Kennedy to make their content MORE woke!

“Even the linguini.”

The April Fool's Day joke doubled up as a jab at Disney chief Bob Iger. 

Musk and Iger have been feuding since Disney joined 200 major advertisers including IBM and Apple to leave X in November 2023 after Musk's endorsement of an antisemitic post. 

“The association with that position, Elon Musk and X was not necessarily a positive one for us,” Iger later said at an event.

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/quantum-brief/elon-musks-x-facing-an-exodus-of-employees-18392.htm">Read more: Elon Musk's X facing an exodus of employees</a>

In December 2023, during an interview at The New York Times’ DealBook summit, Musk said that the advertisers who had boycotted the platform could go to hell. “Don’t advertise,” he said before hitting out at Iger specifically. “If someone is going to try to blackmail me with advertising? Blackmail me with money? Go f*** yourself. Go f*** yourself, is that clear? Hey, Bob, if you’re in the audience. That’s how I feel, don’t advertise.” 

A week later, he took to X to say that Iger should be “fired immediately” and that “Walt Disney is turning in his grave over what Bob has done to his company.”

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/how-it-works/elon-musk-sues-microsoft-backed-openai-and-sam-altman-under-claims-of-breach-of-contract-25117.htm">Read more: Elon Musk sues Microsoft-backed OpenAI and Sam Altman under claims of breach of contract</a>

Musk has also openly criticized Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) policies at major companies like Disney. Musk has previously slammed DEI policies as ‘institutionalised racism and sexism’. Earlier this year, he said he would help actor Gina Carano fight her lawsuit against Disney after she was fired from her role in “The Mandalorian” due to controversial social media posts about the Holocaust, the pandemic and trans rights. 

However, Musk's 2024 April Fool's Day post appears to have been recycled from one shared by podcaster Konstantin Kisin. A few minutes before Musk made his joke, Kisin had written: "As of today, I am resigning from TRIGGERnometry. The opportunity to join the BBC as Chief Diversity Officer is an opportunity I simply couldn't turn down." 

Musk replied to Kisin's joke with a single crying-with-laughter emoji.

Fool's Day: Elon Musk says he’s joining Disney to make it more 'woke', in a "recycled" joke

Hemant Bakshi, who led Ola Cabs as chief executive officer, has reportedly resigned. The announcement comes just a few weeks after Ola Cabs initiated preliminary discussions with investment banks for an IPO, stated a Moneycontrol report. Quoting sources, the report stated that the firm is also to undertake a restructuring exercise that will affect at least 10 percent of the staff. 

Bakshi joined Ola from Unilever in January 2024. He began his career at Unilever and held various roles including his last role as vice president - Unilever marketplace and chairman - Unilever Indonesia. 

When he joined Ola, Bakshi emphasised the value of first-hand experience and even drove his car around the city at night, moonlighting as an OLA cab driver. During a media briefing on January 25, Bakshi stated that he offered the ride-hailing service at night to gain firsthand experience and better understanding of customer requirements.

Ola has also made senior level appointments recently including roping in Kartik Gupta as the CFO and Sidharth Shakdher as the CBO.

Ola Cabs' sister company, Ola Electric, has filed its draft red herring prospectus with the market regulator in December to raise around Rs 7,250 crores via an IPO, the first attempt at public listing by an Indian electric vehicle firm.

Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/unilevers-hemant-bakshi-joins-ola-as-chief-executive-officer-21136.htm">Unilever’s Hemant Bakshi joins Ola as chief executive officer</a>

Amagi announced the appointment of Richard Perkett as its Chief Product Officer (CPO). Perkett brings over 25 years of experience in product management, product marketing, engineering, and user experience (UX) to Amagi, with a proven track record of leading SaaS-centric product strategies across multiple industries.

“We are excited to welcome Richard Perkett to Amagi as our new Chief Product Officer,” said Baskar Subramanian, Co-founder & CEO of Amagi. “As Amagi enters its next phase of growth — Amagi 2.0 — Richard’s strategic vision and deep product expertise will be instrumental in shaping the future of our product offerings. His experience in building and scaling comprehensive SaaS platforms aligns perfectly with our vision of delivering unparalleled value to our customers.”

As Chief Product Officer, Perkett is set to steer Amagi’s product strategy with an acute focus that is meticulously aligned with customers' goals and priorities. His role will involve not only pinpointing their unique challenges but also deeply understanding their specific needs. Richard's strategic vision and sharp insights are crucial as Amagi aims to develop targeted solutions that effectively address these challenges and aid in its customers' success. His leadership is expected to greatly enhance the company’s capacity to tailor offerings in ways that truly resonate with and benefit customers, ensuring Amagi’s products are indispensable tools for their progress.

Richard Perkett, Chief Product Officer at Amagi said, “I’m incredibly excited to join Amagi at such a pivotal time in the company’s journey. The opportunity to lead a talented product organization and contribute to shaping Amagi 2.0 is truly inspiring. I am confident that by fostering a strong product culture, we will be able to deliver even greater value to our customers and achieve remarkable growth.”

 

Amagi appoints Richard Perkett as chief product officer

Tech driven media company – Whisper Media has announced the appointment of Nidhee Kekre to its advisory board. With an illustrious career spanning over two decades in Business Strategy & Development, notably within the FMCG and BFSI industries, Kekre's strategic insights and industry expertise will significantly enhance Whisper Media's growth trajectory and strategic vision. 

Kekre joins Whisper Media following a successful tenure as the WPP Client Lead for Unilever, South Asia. Having managed diverse client portfolios across sectors such as FMCG, BFSI, Telecom and Consumer Goods. Kekre's strategic acumen is poised to play a pivotal role in steering Whisper Media towards new avenues of growth and innovation.


“We are delighted to have Nidhee on our advisory board. Her proven track record in driving business strategies and nurturing client relationships aligns perfectly with our vision of being a valuable client partner. We look forward to leveraging her insights to drive transformative initiatives and enhance our offerings in the FMCG sector. Nidhee’s extensive experience in business strategy, coupled with a deep understanding of consumer dynamics, makes her a valuable addition to Whisper Media's advisory board,” says LS Krishnan, CEO & Director, Whisper Media.

Before her tenure at WPP, Kekre held key roles with renowned brands including Kantar, JetAir, Essar Aegis and Godrej, where she earned accolades for her innovative strategies and business transformation initiatives.

“I am glad to be a part of Whisper Media's journey, a company known for its cutting-edge approach to media solutions and production. I believe in the power of technology to revolutionize consumer engagement, and I look forward to contributing my experience to drive strategic growth and market leadership in the organization,” concludes Kekre.


Keep up with all the key people movements in the brand marketing ecosystem in Storyboard18’s CXO Moves. Here’s a round-up of the executives who've moved jobs, got bigger roles, switched industries and more.


BP Biddappa and Anuradha Razdan


BP Biddappa will join the HUL Management Committee as executive director, human resources and chief people, transformation and sustainability officer for South Asia. 

Biddappa will also join the HUL Board as a whole time director, subject to shareholder approval. 

Anuradha Razdan, currently executive director, human resources, HUL and chief HR officer, South Asia will be appointed to a global role as chief reward & organisation development officer for Unilever. 


Arjun Jetly, Neharika Awal, Ajitesh Verma, and Monish Gupta


Havas Worldwide India, the creative agency of Havas India, has strengthened its creative team with the appointment of Arjun Jetly, Neharika Awal, Ajitesh Verma, and Monish Gupta as executive creative directors.


His second stint with Havas Worldwide India, Jetly was the brain behind some of Durex’s most-loved campaigns including Mutual Climax and Invisible. He joins the agency from Cheil India, and has also worked in agencies like The Glitch.


Awal has joined Havas Worldwide India following an 8-year stint in Dentsu. Before Dentsu, she worked at Leo Burnett, Saatchi & Saatchi, Ogilvy and DDB Mudra.


Verma has worked with erstwhile Wunderman Thompson, BBDO India, McCann Worldwide and Leo Burnett before joining Havas Worldwide India. 


Gupta who joins Havas Worldwide India from Leo Burnett has also worked at Dentsu, Lowe Lintas, erstwhile J Walter Thompson and Cheil.


Abraham Joseph and Ramtilak Ananthan


Bajaj Auto has appointed Abraham Joseph as managing director of the company's wholly owned subsidiary, Chetak Technology. Ramtilak Ananthan will take up the position of chief technology officer at Bajaj Auto.


Joseph, who has 35 years of experience, under his leadership, the company will pivot to become a high-tech organisation focused on developing core competencies across the spectrum of cutting-edge automotive technologies, stated a media report.


Ananthan comes with an experience of more than 30 years at Bajaj Auto. In 2013, he was elevated to the position of vice president – R&D. 


Pooja Asar


Previous: Vice president - marketing, Paytm


Present: Head of marketing, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility 


Pooja Asar has joined Tata Passenger Electric Mobility in a new role. She has worked across Kotak Mahindra Bank and Unilever.


Sameeksha Uniyal


Previous: Marketing controller, Bacardi


Present: Regional head of brand, Bacardi


Bacardi has elevated Sameeksha Uniyal to a newer role. She has worked across Big River Radio, Sony Entertainment Television, Maxus and Viacom18.


Prateek Agrawal, Akhil Chaturvedi and Niket Shah


The company has announced the elevation of Prateek Agrawal as MD & CEO of MOAMC. Agrawal joined MOAMC in October, 2022. Akhil Chaturvedi, currently Chief Business Officer of MOAMC, is now elevated to the position of Executive Director. Niket Shah, MF - Fund Manager of designated schemes of Motilal Oswal Mutual Fund, has been elevated to the position of Chief Investment Officer. 


Saurabh Kundra


Previous: Associate director, AGL - Hakuhodo


Present: Business director - investment, Omnicom Media Group


Saurabh Kundra has joined in a new role. He has worked across Businessworld, sharekhan, and Ogilvy & Mather.


Pratip Mazumder


Previous: General Manager - Strategic Partnerships, India, Swiggy


Present: Country manager, inDrive


inDrive has appointed Pratip Mazumder in a new role. He has worked across Erudite, Analytics Quotient, Savaari Car Rentals, Practo, Uber and Aegon Life.


Vishal Sharma


Previous: Senior investment director, GroupM


Present: Deputy vice president (DVP) of media buying and trading, LS Digital


LS Digital has appointed Vishal Sharma in a new role. He has worked across HSBC, Netcore Solutions and Logicserve Digital.


Divya Karani


Previous: CEO, Dentsu Media


Present: Chairperson and ED, Kulfi Collective


Kulfi Collective, a creative network has announced the appointment of Divya Karani in a new role. Most recently, Karani was the CEO of Dentsu Media, South Asia, where she led the agency for over 12 years.


Harish Chouhan, Pratish and Ankita Phanse 


Onetab, the Generative AI SaaS startup has appointed three new senior members to strengthen its India operations. Harish Chouhan joins as senior team lead, Pratish Gopinath comes on board as vice president – corporate development and Ankita Phanse joins as head human resources – strategy & planning of Onetab starting this financial year.


Compiled by Kashmeera Sambamurthy

CXO Moves: Exec movements across HUL, Bajaj Auto, Swiggy, GroupM and more

Motilal Oswal Group (‘Group’) has announced strategic leadership changes designed to continue accelerating growth with transformative strategies in Motilal Oswal AMC (‘MOAMC').

 
MOAMC has remarkable turnaround in performance with ~90 percent of the total schemes outperforming their respective benchmarks. This has led to improvement in Assets Under Management (‘AUM’) of the MOAMC to Rs. 71,810 crores in March, 2024 from Rs. 45,712 cr in March, 2023.

 
Navin Agarwal has been associated with Group for over 23 years. Further, he has been the MD & CEO of MOAMC since July, 2020. Under his leadership MOAMC has seen strong turnaround in overall performance. With closing business hours of April 25, 2024, Mr. Agarwal will go back to his Group role and in this capacity, he will continue to leverage his extensive experience and expertise to drive strategic initiatives and contribute to the overall growth of the Motilal Oswal Group.

 
The company has announced elevation of Prateek Agrawal as MD & CEO of MOAMC w.e.f April 26, 2024. Prateek has rich experience of close to 30 years in the asset management business. Agrawal joined MOAMC in October, 2022. During his tenure with the MOAMC, Prateek has demonstrated outstanding leadership and strategic acumen.

 
Akhil Chaturvedi, currently Chief Business Officer of MOAMC, is now elevated to the position of Executive Director. Akhil has been associated with MOAMC for over 11 years and has been leading the entire Sales & Operations functions. He has 25 years of experience in multiple functional roles including sales, distribution, client advisory and business development across leading asset management companies.


Niket Shah, MF - Fund Manager of designated schemes of Motilal Oswal Mutual Fund, has been elevated to the position of Chief Investment Officer. Niket has been associated with the Motilal Oswal Group for over 11 years. He has more than 14 years of experience as fund manager and research analyst. He has showcased exemplary performance as a fund manager, notably overseeing the Motilal Oswal Flexicap Fund (Flexicap Fund) and Motilal Oswal Midcap Fund (Midcap Fund) with AUM exceeding Rs. 18,000 crores*. 

 
All of them will start on their new roles w.e.f. April 26, 2024.


Speaking on the occasion, Raamdeo Agrawal, chairman, Motilal Oswal Asset Management Company Limited said, “This leadership transition not only recognizes their efforts but also demonstrates our focused progression towards attaining market leading positions across our businesses. We strongly believe in empowering our internal talent to propel businesses to greater heights. Promoting Prateek as MD & CEO reinforces our commitment to internal capabilities and a culture of growth and excellence. Navin's pivotal role at the group level is crucial across all business functions, leveraging his extensive experience and deep operational understanding to steer our strategic direction and ensure alignment across our diverse portfolio.”

 

Agrawal further added, “The elevation of Akhil and Niket underscores their proven track record and dedication, solidifying their invaluable leadership roles within our organization.”

 
Navin Agarwal said, “Prateek Agrawal's extensive experience in the asset management businesses across mutual funds and alternate assets make him ideally suited to drive Motilal Oswal AMC towards greater heights.”

 

Agarwal further added about elevation of Chaturvedi and Shah, “Akhil's decade plus tenure with MOAMC and his exceptional network-building capabilities have been instrumental in driving sales and business growth of MOAMC. Niket's demonstrated capabilities in identifying high quality high growth opportunities across chosen themes and building the trust of investors and distributors by creating winning portfolios will ensure continued success and value for all stakeholders. As a CIO, we are confident in his ability to lead the team to drive superior outcomes across all our funds.”


Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/paytms-pooja-asar-joins-tata-motors-as-head-of-marketing-29982.htm">Paytm's Pooja Asar joins Tata Passenger Electric Mobility as head of marketing</a>

Motilal Oswal AMC announces leadership changes; elevates Prateek Agrawal, Akhil Chaturvedi and Niket Shah

Pooja Asar, who led Paytm as vice president - marketing, has joined Tata Passenger Electric Mobility as head of marketing.

She started her career at Kotak Mahindra Bank and went on to work at Unilever too.

She has managed large brands in foods (Kissan, Knorr, Hellmann's Annapurna) & beauty segment ( Glow & lovely erstwhile Fair & Lovely) across South Asia, SE Asia & Middle East. She has demonstrated capability in driving new category innovations as well as scaling large established brands by leveraging emerging market trends & developing winning marketing campaigns impacting brand power & equity.

Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/bacardi-elevates-sameeksha-uniyal-as-regional-head-brand-29937.htm">Bacardi elevates Sameeksha Uniyal as regional head - brand</a>

Paytm's Pooja Asar joins Tata Passenger Electric Mobility as head of marketing

Kulfi Collective, a creative network in India that functions at the intersection of content, community and culture, has announced the appointment of Divya Karani as Chairperson and Executive Director of its Board. Most recently, Karani was the CEO of Dentsu Media, South Asia, where she led the agency for over 12 years.


Kulfi Collective, through its three divisions, Supari Studios, Post Office & Keeda Media, has partnered with brands and platforms such as Spotify, Red Bull, Netflix, Lego, Flipkart and Zomato to deliver content, experiences & IPs that shape culture. 


Karani stated, "I am honoured to join Kulfi Collective at such a transformative time. Together, we aim to redefine the creative network model, with an emphasis on agility, authenticity and purpose that resonates with a connected generation."


"Divya joining the board will help us build the right governance frameworks as we scale globally. Further, her deep expertise will help us build upstream capabilities to bring brands closer to communities and subcultures in music, sports, gaming, entertainment and lifestyle.” said Advait Gupt, co-founder & chief executive officer of Kulfi Collective.



Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/bacardi-elevates-sameeksha-uniyal-as-regional-head-brand-29937.htm">Bacardi elevates Sameeksha Uniyal as regional head - brand</a>

Kulfi Collective appoints Divya Karani as chairperson and ED of its board

Sameekha Uniyal, who led Bacardi as marketing controller, has been elevated to the position of regional head - brand. 


She started her career at Big River Radio, and went on to work across Sony Entertainment Television, Maxus and Viacom18.


As the account director at Viacom18, Uniyal worked with the key accounts team for the biggest youth platform in the country – MTV networks. It involved strategising on specific briefs from the client to provide solutions across TV, Digital and Live Media. Her deliverables included concept generation, content planning, revenue generation and effective execution of the idea. Some of the key clients Uniyal worked with were : Coca- Cola, Pepsi Co, Pernod Ricard, Bacardi and Maruti Suzuki.


Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/hul-restructures-its-management-committee-elevates-bp-biddappa-and-anuradha-razdan-29921.htm">HUL restructures its management committee; elevates BP Biddappa and Anuradha Razdan</a>

Bacardi elevates Sameeksha Uniyal as regional head - brand

Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), announced a key change in its Management Committee.


BP Biddappa will join the HUL Management Committee as executive director, human resources and chief people, transformation and sustainability officer for South Asia. Biddappa will also join the HUL Board as a whole time director, subject to shareholder approval. In this role, he will lead the people agenda for South Asia as well as drive the transformation interventions from a business, organisation, and sustainability perspective.


Anuradha Razdan, currently executive director, human resources, HUL and chief HR officer, South Asia will be appointed to a global role as chief reward & organisation development officer for Unilever. This change will be effective June 1, 2024.


Biddappa is currently the Chief HR Officer for Global Home Care and Head, Global Employee Relations for Unilever. He started his over three-decade-long career in Unilever with a factory stint in HUL and then moved on to undertake a variety of roles, from leadership development to business partnering, across several Unilever businesses and led HR for Unilever in Maghreb, Bangladesh, and India. 


During his last stint in HUL, he was instrumental in setting up the Winning in Many Indias approach, creating a more agile and focused business unit framework in South Asia and launching the Prabhat community development program that has, till date, impacted over 10 million Indians. Over the last five years, he has led two critical expertise functions for Unilever globally – Organization Development & People Analytics and Global Employee Relations. He also helped set up and build the Health and Wellbeing business for Unilever as well as the Unilever Professionals business.


Razdan has been the executive director, HR at HUL and CHRO for South Asia for the last five years. During her tenure, she helped the business navigate the COVID pandemic. Under her leadership, the Company completed the seamless people integration for the HUL-GSK CH merger. Being a strong advocate for inclusion, she led the company towards its ambition of being a gender balanced organisation – launching multi-year programmes, like Ahilya and Samavesh, to improve gender balance in traditionally male bastions such as Sales and the Factory shopfloor. During her tenure, HUL has consistently been chosen as the Employer of Choice.


Welcoming Biddappa back to India, Rohit Jawa, CEO and managing director, HUL said, “An accomplished HR leader with over three decades of experience, Biddappa comes with immense knowledge of transformation and organisational development. I am glad to welcome him to the HUL Leadership and I am confident that his able guidance and leadership will help transform the business to progress further on our future-fit agenda.”


Thanking Anuradha for her contribution to the business, Jawa said, “Anuradha is known for her ability to shape and deliver a strategic business-focused people agenda. She has played a key role in the HUL Leadership Team over the past five years. Her appointment to a senior leadership role for Unilever is yet another testimony to the powerhouse of talent we have in India.”


Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-marketing/hul-ceo-rohit-jawa-weve-embarked-on-a-journey-of-transform-to-outperform-to-serve-evolving-aspirations-of-indian-consumers-29881.htm">HUL CEO Rohit Jawa: We've embarked on a journey of 'Transform to Outperform' to serve evolving aspirations of Indian consumers</a>

HUL restructures its management committee; elevates BP Biddappa and Anuradha Razdan

Saurabh Kundra, who led AGL - Hakuhodo as associate director, has been appointed by Omnicom Media Group as business director - investment.

Kundra started his career Businessworld and went on to work across sharekhan, Ogilvy & Mather and Essence.

As the associate of operations and analytics at O&M, Kundra led ad trafficking and QA digital campaigns for clients in different European countries (ES/FR/DE and UK). He created reports to monitor campaign delivery and to communicate relevant metrics to account management team. He worked collaboratively with account managers to recommend campaign modifications and leveraging understanding of advertiser and product performance. He created and managed campaigns on various tools like DCM, Sizmek, Adform, Tradedoubler, AWIN & GTM.


Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/swiggys-pratip-mazumder-joins-indrive-as-country-manager-india-29797.htm">Swiggy's Pratip Mazumder joins inDrive as country manager - India</a>

Leo Burnett India appoints Rajeev Rakshit as executive director

Previously, Rajeev Rakshit led Thinking Folks Brand Solutions as chief executive officer and managing partner.

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