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Walt Disney Company's Chief Executive Officer, Bob Iger, has praised the Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology that the company has begun to utilize extensively. He noted that AI will likely play a significant role in the company's future.

During the recently held 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, Iger added that the company is also proceeding cautiously to protect its characters, stories, creatives, and customers from AI.

According to Iger, while AI is normally viewed as the equivalent of the ultimate sin in show business, Disney will respect its artists despite the advent of this new technology.

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-marketing/disney-to-cut-around-6-staff-across-units-report-58428.htm">Disney to cut around 6% staff across units: Report</a>

"AI may be the most powerful technology that our company has ever seen, including its ability to enhance and enable consumers to access, experience, and enjoy our entertainment," Iger added, "Given the speed that it is developing, we’re taking precautions to make sure of three things: One, that our IP is being protected. That’s incredibly important. Second, that our creators are being respected, and last, that our customers are being considered and valued, particularly as this technology emerges rapidly".

Further, Iger confirmed that Disney park expansion plans are moving forward worldwide.

During the earnings call, he said, "Last year we talked about our plans to turbocharge growth in this segment through strategic investments. Today I’m proud to share some of what we’ve been up to. Right now, we have more projects underway around the world than at any time in our history".

Some of the key Disney projects include Magic Kingdom, which is undergoing its largest expansion ever, inspired by Cars and villain-themed land.

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/advertising/disneys-q1-revenue-jumps-5-to-24-7-billion-box-office-success-drives-growth-55853.htm">Disney's Q1 revenue jumps 5% to $24.7 billion, box office success drives growth</a>

Additionally, a Monsters Inc. themed land coming to Hollywood Studios, and Tropical Americas land is coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Moreover, The Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure will be doubled in size.

“All of these projects, as well as our $1.5 billion investment in Epic Games to bring a transformational new games and entertainment universe to Fortnite, reinforce how we are giving consumers the opportunity to experience our popular IP in exciting and innovative ways,” he said.

Meanwhile, Disney is in search of Iger's successor. Iger has served as the head of the company for 18 of the last 20 years. He stepped down as CEO of Disney in 2020 after 15 years there, serving as executive chair for another year. However, in late 2022, Disney’s board dismissed Iger’s appointed successor, Bob Chapek, and requested Iger return. Iger’s current contract with Disney will expire in 2026.

Walt Disney reported a 4.8% increase in revenue to $24.69 billion in the first quarter of fiscal year 2025.

The Total paid Disney+ subscriptions stand at 124.6 million, compared with 125.3 million at the end of the company’s fiscal fourth quarter. Total Hulu subscriptions rose 3% during the period to 53.6 million.

Disney’s net income increased nearly 23% to $2.64 billion in Q1 2025. Its entertainment division had a 9% jump in revenue, reaching $10.87 billion.

Disney bets big on AI: CEO Bob Iger hails new tech as 'most powerful' ever seen

Get ready to experience the transformative power of groundbreaking ideas. On March 28, 2025, Storyboard18's Global Pioneers Summit will set the stage for a new era of creativity, innovation and leadership. This event will serve as a dynamic hub for forward-thinking strategies, fostering business growth, inspiring leaders, and engaging global audiences. 

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/global-pioneer-summit">Register here: Global Pioneers Summit</a> 

Bringing together visionaries, industry leaders and pioneers from business, marketing, advertising, technology and academia, the summit will spark thought-provoking discussions, celebrate ingenuity and cultivate meaningful collaborations. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of a game-changing dialogue shaping the future. 

Also Read: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/visionary-leader-and-nestle-india-cmd-suresh-narayanan-joins-storyboard18s-global-pioneers-summit-53964.htm">Visionary leader and Nestle India CMD, Suresh Narayanan, joins Storyboard18's Global Pioneers Summit</a>

<strong>PepsiCo's Jagrut Kotecha joins the summit!</strong>

The Chief Executive Officer of PepsiCo India and South Asia, Jagrut Kotecha, is known for his strategic vision and deep understanding of the consumer goods industry, will join the summit on March 28. Kotecha assumed the position of PepsiCo's CEO in March 2024, succeeding Ahmed ElSheikh. Prior to this, Kotecha was appointed as the Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer for PepsiCo's Africa, Middle East, and South Asia (AMESA) regions in January 2020.

Kotecha holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Mumbai, along with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Marketing from the Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS). He began his professional career with Cadbury India in 1992, working in the sales department for two years. In 1994, he joined PepsiCo India, marking the start of a distinguished tenure that has spanned over three decades. 

By 1997, Kotecha had advanced to the position of Regional Sales Manager, and subsequently served as the Marketing Manager for Western Snacks until 1999. His career trajectory includes significant international experience, with roles such as Commercial Director in the Philippines from 2006 to 2010, and various leadership positions in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, and Mongolia. 

As CEO of PepsiCo India, Kotecha is responsible for steering the company's operations and strategic initiatives in one of its most dynamic markets. His leadership is expected to focus on accelerating growth, fostering innovation, and strengthening PepsiCo's commitment to sustainability and community engagement in India. Under Kotecha's leadership, PepsiCo India is poised to continue its trajectory of success, leveraging his extensive experience and strategic insights to navigate the evolving market landscape. 

Also Read: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/visionary-business-leader-sir-martin-sorrell-joins-storyboard18s-global-pioneers-summit-2025-48444.htm">Visionary business leader Sir Martin Sorrell joins Storyboard18's Global Pioneers Summit</a>

<strong>What is Global Pioneers Summit?</strong>

The Storyboard18 Global Pioneers Summit 2025 is set to bring together some of the most influential thinkers, providing a dynamic platform for innovation and transformative ideas. Featuring an esteemed lineup of speakers, the summit is poised to spark insightful conversations and forward-thinking strategies across multiple industries.  

Hear from Ogilvy’s Global CEO Devika Bulchandani; Sir Martin Sorrell, founder and chairman S4 Capital; Diageo India's managing director and CEO Hina Nagarajan, Nestle India's chairman and managing director Suresh Narayanan; Prabha Narasimhan, MD and CEO, Colgate-Palmolive India; Piyush Pandey of Ogilvy, Prasoon Joshi, Chairman of McCann Worldgroup Asia Pacific and CEO & CCO, McCann Worldgroup India; leading Indian fintech CRED's Founder and CEO, Kunal Shah; entrepreneur and leading content creator Raj Shamani; Amrit Acharya, CEO and co-founder, Zetwerk Manufacturing; and Michael Sheldrick, author and policy entrepreneur and co-founder at Global Citizen. 

The summit aims to encourage collaboration, celebrating innovation and fostering connections that transcend boundaries.  

See More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/tags/global-pioneers-summit">Global Pioneers Summit 2025</a>

Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/global-ai-leader-daniel-hulme-to-join-storyboard18s-global-pioneers-summit-54302.htm">Global AI leader Daniel Hulme to join Storyboard18's Global Pioneers Summit</a>

Storyboard18 Global Pioneers Summit: PepsiCo India & South Asia CEO Jagrut Kotecha to speak on power of partnerships

TVS Motor Company (TVSM) has announced the appointment of Peyman Kargar as Head – International Business. As per the company, Kargar will be based out of Dubai and report to K N Radhakrishnan, Director & CEO, TVS Motor Company.

Kargar is an accomplished global automotive leader with over three decades of experience across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. 

Announcing the appointment, K. N. Radhakrishnan, Director & CEO, TVS Motor Company said, “Peyman’s prolific global leadership experience and expertise will add significant value to the  company. The Company has been strengthening its position in international   markets and has plans to expand further in advanced economies. We are confident that under his leadership, we will further strengthen our market position and continue to set benchmarks."

Kargar was the Global Chairman & President of INFINITI, the luxury brand of Nissan Company. He led the full value chain of the INFINITI brand globally, including Product Planning, R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Sales & Marketing, and Finance. Over three years until March 2023, he transformed the brand, resulting in a 20% increase in volume and setting the business on a trajectory toward USD 1 billion in annual profit. 

Previously, he was the Chairman & Sr VP of Africa Middle East India Region CEO of the DATSUN brand. He oversaw more than 80 countries for NISSAN Group. Earlier, from 2014 to 2017, he was the VP Sales & Marketing, Renault Group for 50 countries in Africa, Middle East, Iran & India, managing a 4 Bn Euro Turnover & 400,000 Sales per year. 

His two previous roles included being the Managing Director of Renault Middle East and the Country Manager Director in Iran. He was managing all Functions in the country including R&D, Manufacturing, S&M, after sales. Peyman is a Mechanical Engineer and an MBA with a focus on Finance, Strategy, and Leadership. 

TVS Motor appoints Peyman Kargar as Head of International Business

Jitender Dabas, chief operating officer and chief strategy officer, of McCann Worldgroup, is moving on from the agency, as confirmed to Storyboard18 by industry sources.


Dabas joined McCann Delhi in January 2011 and was elevated to chief strategy officer – McCann Worldgroup India in 2016. In 2020, Dabas was allotted with the position of Chief Operating Officer as well. 


Prior to that, Dabas has worked with FCB Global, Wunderman Thompson and Grey Worldwide. 


Dabas is an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, where he completed his engineering studies. He furthered his education with a management degree from the Institute of Management Technology (IMT) Ghaziabad, equipping him with a robust foundation in both technical and managerial domains. 


During his fourteen-year tenure at McCann Worldgroup, Dabas led the agency to significant achievements in effectiveness and strategic excellence. Under his leadership as APAC Head of Effectiveness, McCann Worldgroup rose to become one of the top three most effective agency networks in Asia Pacific in 2024. 

 
During his stint as the CSO, McCann Worldgroup scored a lot major business wins over the last few years including Dettol, Maggi, Paytm, Hero Scooters, Incredible India, and Air India. 


<strong>Read More:</strong> <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/jitender-dabas-on-making-goafest-great-again-8197.htm">Jitender Dabas on making Goafest great again</a> 

Jitender Dabas to exit McCann Worldgroup

Amitabh Kant, former CEO of NITI Aayog, has been appointed as the Chairperson of NIIT University. The appointment is effective from March 10, 2025. With this, Kant succeeds renowned scientist K Kasturirangan in the role.  

Announcing the leadership transition, NIIT University described the appointment as a major step in its mission to foster industry-aligned education and develop future-ready talent. The university emphasized that under Kant’s leadership, it aims to scale its efforts in cutting-edge education, skilling, and global collaborations while continuing to nurture leaders and innovators of tomorrow.    

Kant brings a wealth of experience from his tenure at NITI Aayog (2016–2022), where he spearheaded key initiatives such as the Atal Innovation Mission, the Aspirational Districts Programme, and the National Programme on Artificial Intelligence. He also played a pivotal role in the launch of flagship programs like Make in India, Startup India, and Ease of Doing Business reforms.  

Welcoming Kant, NIIT University President Prof. Prakash Gopalan said that Kant's visionary leadership in driving India’s innovation and skilling landscape will be invaluable in shaping NU’s future.   

NIIT University has built strong partnerships with over 700 leading industrial entities, including IBM, Morgan Stanley, Tata Consultancy Services, and Deloitte. With Kant at the helm, the institution aims to further enhance its role in bridging academia and industry, reinforcing its commitment to innovation-driven education.  

Amitabh Kant appointed Chairperson of NIIT University

Global media and marketing communications agency PHD has appointed Kiron Kesav as chief strategy officer. In this role, Kesav will lead and elevate strategic planning, business growth, innovation, and digital transformation. As part of PHD’s regional leadership team, he will drive better business and brand outcomes for clients. He will spearhead AI adoption and acceleration across markets.

Previously, Kesav was Omnicom Media Group's chief strategy officer for the Malaysian region. During his stint, Kesav drove and elevate strategic planning excellence across Omnicom Media Group agencies.

He is experienced across categories - FMCG, Finance, Technology, Entertainment & Movie Marketing, Automotive, QSR, Retail, NGOs & Charities, alcoholic beverages. 

He began his career at UST Global as a software engineer and then joined UM Worldwide as media supervisor. Then, he was appointed by Mindshare as associate director, and was elevated to head of strategic planning. In this role, he led the strategic output for Mindshare Malaysia and drove strategic thinking and vision for the teams.

He built integrated communication solutions covering media, content and partnerships for major blue chip clients. Then, he joined PHD as GM, strategy and platforms.

<strong>Read More:</strong> <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-marketing/mass-resignations-hit-hero-motocorp-report-59564.htm">Mass resignations hit Hero MotoCorp: Report</a> 




PHD names Kiron Kesav as Chief Strategy Officer for the APAC region

Havas has announced the promotion of François Laroze to Global Chief Operating Officer (COO), in addition to his role as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). In this new role, as COO of the newly listed company, François will work closely with the members of the Group’s Executive Committee and his team to ensure that the ambitious goals disclosed to the financial market are met in both the short and medium term. 

Since joining Havas in 2007, François has compiled a wealth of experience and deep understanding of the Group’s business activities and core processes. In his new role, he will focus on guaranteeing the Group achieves solid organic growth through client retention, new business and in-business development, leveraging the Converged strategy. 

Additionally, he will dedicate efforts to increasing the profitability ratio, by maintaining a strong focus on cost management and ensuring recurrent cash flow generation.

Yannick Bolloré, CEO and Chairman of Havas, said: “François’ extensive experience and proven leadership make him the perfect choice to drive our transformative initiatives forward as a newly listed company. We are excited to witness the positive impact François will continue to bring to our organization.” 

François Laroze, CFO and COO of Havas, commented: “I’m thrilled about this new chapter and the opportunity to continue to contribute to Havas’ transformation journey and growth in an expanded role. I look forward to working with our talented teams towards our ambitious goals, driving strategic initiatives forward.”

Havas promotes François Laroze to Global COO

Preetha Athrey has been appointed as the Director of Brand Marketing at The Trade Desk. Athrey announced this through a LinkedIn post.  

With over two decades of experience spanning global brands and media giants, Athrey brings an extensive background in digital marketing, branding, and audience engagement to her new role.

Prior to joining The Trade Desk, she led marketing initiatives at Twitter for over three years, from September 2019 to December 2022, serving as the Director of Global Business Marketing, Asia Pacific. In this role, she developed and executed business marketing strategies across major APAC markets, including Greater China, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and India. She also served as Head of Marketing at Twitter India, where she played a pivotal role in elevating the platform’s brand narrative. 

Her career in marketing and branding began with leading roles at major companies, including Airtel, Radio Mirchi, and Turner Broadcasting. During her tenure as Head of Marketing – Kids, South Asia at Turner Broadcasting, she managed marketing strategies for Cartoon Network and POGO across India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Her expertise in digital media played a critical role in relaunching both channels’ websites, driving significant growth in unique visitors and page views.

She also served as Division Head of Marketing Communication for Apollo Tyres across Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa, leading a cross-cultural team responsible for brand positioning, new product launches, and media strategy. Under her guidance, Apollo’s brand awareness and market share saw a remarkable rise, fueled by high-impact TV commercials and retail strategy revamps.

As Director of Brand Marketing, she will oversee global branding efforts, spearhead strategic marketing campaigns, and further elevate The Trade Desk’s position as a leader in the advertising technology landscape.

Preetha Athrey joins The Trade Desk as Director of Brand Marketing

Netflix has appointed Rebecca Nadilo as its new director of marketing partnerships creative for APAC. Nadilo announced this through a  LinkedIn post marking her first day at the streaming giant.  

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Nadilo brings a wealth of experience in marketing, strategy, and creative leadership. Prior to joining Netflix, she served as managing director at Iris Singapore, a role she took on in June 2023. During her tenure, she played a pivotal role in launching Iris Social Studio, securing major client wins across government, retail, and automotive sectors, and strengthening the agency’s leadership team with key hires to drive strategic and creative growth.  

Her recent departure from Iris Singapore last week saw Priya Kalidas step up as the agency’s new managing director.  

Before Iris, Nadilo was APAC strategy lead at Meta, where she shaped the vision and objectives for Creative Shop APAC, aligning with business priorities, revenue goals, and market demands. Earlier in her career, she served as chief strategy officer at Wunderman Thompson, where she led global strategy for major brands, including Unilever’s Lux and Radiant, as well as HSBC Bank.  

With her extensive expertise in brand strategy and creative leadership, Nadilo is set to bring fresh perspectives to Netflix's marketing partnerships in the APAC region.

Netflix appoints Rebecca Nadilo as Director of Marketing Partnerships Creative, APAC

Apparel manufacturer company Nona Lifestyle, which designs clothes for delivery executives, has filed a case against the food delivery aggregator over nonpayment of the dues.

According to a report by Bar & Bench, the B2B apparel manufacturer moved to the company's court, the NCLT, to initiate a corporate insolvency resolution process against Zomato.

Nona Lifestyle has alleged that Zomato owes Rs 1.64 crore for the uniforms worn by its delivery partners.

Nona Lifestyle, in its plea, said Zomato placed multiple orders during the 2023 Cricket World Cup, to design rider t-shirts, trousers, and World Cup jerseys. Nona Lifestyle said it fulfilled its obligation but Zomato consistently delayed payments and returned deliveries citing lack of storage space. The apparel manufacturer alleged that Zomato threatened to force the company to offer jerseys at discounted rates.

However, Zomato has denied all claims and said that Nona Lifestyle had unilaterally changed the delivery schedules because which it suffered "substantial reputational and goodwill damage".

The food aggregator also claimed that it paid for the delivered jerseys but deducted penalties as per the contract.

The tribunal has urged advocate Tanu Singhal, who appeared for, Nona Lifestyle, to obtain instructions on what course of action the company would like to take. The case has been adjourned to April 3 for further consideration.

Shares of Zomato were up 5 percent at Rs 213.78 on Tuesday at 11:25 am.

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