Moves and wins roundup: Week of 24 March

Apoorva Bapna exits WPP India amid leadership changes

Apoorva Bapna, chief culture officer at WPP India, has left the company, following the recent departure of Shubha George, chief client officer. The exits are part of a larger leadership reshuffle at the marketing and communications group.

Sources indicate that more senior-level departures from WPP-held positions are expected across the network.

Bapna has been with WPP since 2007, starting her career at GroupM as a human resources manager. She assumed her role as chief culture officer in March 2020. Before her time at WPP, she worked with The Times of India and Hutchinson Whampoa.

The leadership changes come as WPP India continues to navigate industry shifts and restructure its operations. The company has not disclosed any official statement regarding future leadership appointments or the reasons behind the recent departures.

Ampverse Pulse launches digital ad platform Pulse Media

Ampverse Pulse has launched Pulse Media, a digital advertising platform aimed at targeting gamers across Southeast Asia, India, and the Gulf states. The platform offers advertisers access to over 30,000 gaming creators’ channels and in-game inventory, enabling them to reach mobile and PC gamers through immersive ad formats.

Pulse Media uses programmatic advertising and AI-powered optimisation to enhance ad performance. The platform provides brands with tools to execute cross-platform influencer campaigns, integrate live-stream ads, and access premium gaming content.

The launch comes as the gaming sector in Southeast Asia and the Gulf states experiences rapid growth, with over 300 million active gamers in the region. Ampverse Pulse, part of the Ampverse Group, aims to leverage this expansion by helping brands engage with gaming audiences more effectively. The platform is now operational across key regions, supported by Ampverse Pulse’s offices in Bangkok, Manila, Delhi, and Dubai.

Virgin Music Group partners with V Creations for global reach

Virgin Music Group has partnered with South Indian film production house V Creations to distribute its music catalogue globally. The deal aims to expand the reach of V Creations’ regional soundtracks beyond India by leveraging Virgin’s international distribution network.

V Creations, known for producing over 40 successful films, is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its cult classic *Sachien*. As part of the partnership, it has re-released HD versions of the film’s songs *Kanmoodi Thirakumbothu* and *Vaadi Vaadi*, performed by actor Vijay. The songs, composed by Devi Sri Prasad, remain popular and are trending on YouTube Music.

Kalaipuli International Audios, which owns the rights to most of V Creations’ soundtracks, is also collaborating with Virgin Music Group to distribute its content.

Buzzlab appoints Harish Shetty as client services director

Buzzlab, an Asia-based content-led growth consulting firm, has appointed Harish Shetty as its client services director. Shetty, who previously worked at Ogilvy as a management supervisor, brings over 12 years of experience in advertising, brand marketing, and integrated campaigns.

His career includes roles at L&K Saatchi & Saatchi, Famous Innovations, and MullenLowe Lintas Group, where he developed expertise in strategic brand growth and cross-platform marketing. He has a track record of executing marketing campaigns aimed at boosting both brand equity and business results, with proficiency across above-the-line, below-the-line, and digital marketing channels.

SRV Media hires Abhishek Mishra as HR VP

SRV Media has appointed Abhishek Mishra as its vice president of human resources. The digital marketing agency made the move as part of its efforts to enhance its organisational culture and support its growth plans.

Mishra brings leadership experience from companies including Reliance Industries, Aditya Birla Group, Sony Corporation, and Sakal Media Group, where he led talent and culture operations. His background includes improving employee engagement, strengthening talent acquisition, and building high-performing teams.

At SRV Media, Mishra will focus on driving culture transformation, leadership development, and aligning people strategies with the company’s business objectives. The appointment comes as the agency continues to expand its presence in the digital marketing space, with a focus on innovation and employee-centric policies.

Madison Media wins media AOR of Nexus Select Malls

Madison Media has secured the media agency of record (AOR) mandate for Nexus Select Malls. The agency will manage the traditional and digital media strategies for the retail chain, covering television, print, radio, cinema, outdoor, digital branding, and activation.

Nexus Select Malls, India’s first real estate investment trust (REIT), owns 18 malls across 14 cities. It offers a mix of national and international brands and aims to enhance customer engagement through innovative retail experiences.

Madison Media will focus on increasing the malls’ visibility through targeted marketing strategies and omnichannel campaigns. The agency aims to boost footfall and strengthen Nexus Select Malls’ brand presence by leveraging data-driven insights and consumer behaviour trends. 

Vserve partners with Walmart Marketplace to boost e-commerce sellers

E-commerce solutions company Vserve has partnered with Walmart Marketplace as an approved solution provider, offering expert services to help sellers optimise their presence on the platform.

As a certified partner, Vserve provides end-to-end support, including store setup, product listing optimisation, inventory management, and price promotions. The company ensures accurate product descriptions, real-time inventory updates, and automation tools to reduce manual tasks. Vserve also assists sellers with compliance to avoid listing errors and penalties.

The partnership aims to help B2B businesses, shop owners, and market stores across sectors, including retail, automotive, fashion, and electronics, reach millions of U.S. customers. Vserve’s solutions include API integration for real-time synchronisation and 24/7 support to ensure seamless operations. By leveraging Walmart’s vast customer base, Vserve aims to enhance seller visibility, streamline operations, and drive sales growth.

Times Internet appoints Johney Maheshwari as head of corporate development

Times Internet has appointed Johney Maheshwari as its head of corporate development, where he will lead the company’s mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and investment initiatives.

In this role, Maheshwari will oversee Times Internet’s inorganic growth strategy, aligning it with broader business objectives. He brings over a decade of experience in corporate development and investment banking, having previously worked at Razorpay, where he led acquisitions of Ezetap, BillMe, PoshVine, Curlec (Malaysia), and iZealiant. He also managed investments through Razorpay Ventures.

Times Internet has invested over INR 1,000 crore in acquisitions over the past decade, with stakes in companies such as Uber, Airbnb, Delhivery, and Swiggy. Maheshwari’s appointment signals the company’s ongoing focus on strategic investments to expand its digital ecosystem.

PHD names Kiron Kesav as APAC chief strategy officer

Omnicom Media Group’s agency PHD has appointed Kiron Kesav as chief strategy officer for the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. In this role, Kesav will lead strategic planning, business growth, innovation, and digital transformation, using the Omni operating system. He brings over 15 years of experience, having previously served as chief strategy officer at OMG Malaysia, where he led pitches for clients such as OPPO, Warner Bros. Discovery, and CelcomDigi.

Kesav played a key role in driving AI adoption and developing strategy products, including the Digital Efficacy Monitoring Framework. He will report to PHD APAC CEO Eileen Ooi and collaborate with the regional leadership team to enhance client business outcomes. Kesav will continue his role at OMG Malaysia in the interim until a successor is appointed.

Warner Music India signs up with Guru Randhawa for new album

Warner Music India has signed a partnership with music artist Guru Randhawa for the release of his upcoming album *Without Prejudice*. The album features a mix of Afropop and Indian pop and includes collaborations with several artists. The first single, *Gallan Battan*, will be released on March 28, 2025.

Randhawa, known for his international appeal and chart-topping hits, will work with Warner Music India to expand his global audience and explore new creative directions. The album represents a new phase in his musical journey, blending global sounds with his unique style.

Delhivery names Milind Sharma as head of rapid commerce

Delhivery has appointed Milind Sharma as head of rapid commerce and D2C brands. Sharma, a serial entrepreneur with over 14 years of experience, returns to Delhivery after co-founding PepperTap and launching several other ventures. In his new role, he will oversee the expansion of Delhivery’s rapid commerce services and direct-to-consumer brand offerings.

Delhivery, India’s largest logistics provider, has been expanding its range of services, including same-day and next-day delivery. Sharma’s experience in e-commerce and quick commerce will be pivotal in scaling Delhivery’s operations and increasing its reach in the consumer segment.

FCB Kinnect reappoints Henna Pande as EVP for the north

FCB Kinnect has reappointed Henna Pande as executive vice president for the north region. Following a sabbatical in 2024, Pande returns to lead the agency’s growing Delhi office. With over 15 years of industry experience, she previously played a key role in expanding Kinnect’s Delhi operations, growing the team from 15 to over 100 members and working with clients like Amazon, Nokia, and vivo.

Her return aims to accelerate growth and strengthen client relationships. Pande’s focus will be on enhancing Kinnect’s strategic and business impact while fostering a dynamic work culture. As EVP North, Pande will continue her focus on driving business success, leveraging her deep understanding of the market and leadership skills to support the agency’s ongoing expansion.

Wit & Chai appoints Shreya Badola as group account director

Wit & Chai Group has appointed Shreya Badola as group account director. In her new role, she will focus on enhancing client relationships and expanding the agency’s portfolio. With over 15 years of experience in content, marketing, and social media, Badola has worked with major brands like Red Bull and McDonald’s.

At Wit & Chai, she will play a key role in driving innovation and strengthening client partnerships. Badola’s expertise spans various sectors, including FMCG, beauty, and media.

One Life Studios appoints Govind Shahi as strategic advisor

One Life Studios has appointed Govind Shahi as a strategic advisor to help drive its global growth. Shahi, who previously led content syndication at Viacom18’s IndiaCast, will focus on expanding One Life Studios' global footprint and deepening partnerships in international markets.

The company has made significant strides since its inception in 2017, with its flagship series *Porus* being successfully syndicated in over 28 countries. Shahi’s extensive experience in international content distribution will play a crucial role in One Life Studios' efforts to scale its operations and secure new opportunities in emerging markets.

Response India unveils Merit Certificate with Govt Art & Craft college

Kolkata-based marketing communications agency Response India has launched the Response Certificate of Merit in partnership with the Government College of Art & Craft, Kolkata, as part of its 40th anniversary celebrations. The initiative aims to recognise outstanding students and offer them practical industry experience.

Under the programme, up to three students from the college will be selected annually for a three-month internship at Response India. During the internship, students will gain hands-on experience in advertising, including copywriting, design, social media management, brand building, and AI. Participants will receive an internship certificate upon completion, with the possibility of future professional association with the agency.

Edelman appoints new India CEO and APAC digital head

Edelman has appointed Bhavna Jagtiani as the new CEO for its India operations and Kunal Arora as the head of digital for its APAC business. Jagtiani, who joined Edelman 22 years ago, was previously the chief operating officer for India and was responsible for enhancing operational efficiency and client relationships. In her new position as the India CEO, she will focus on business strategy and market performance.

Arora, who has led Edelman’s digital operations in India for the past decade, will now oversee digital efforts across the APAC region, ensuring the integration of digital solutions in client offerings. Both Jagtiani and Arora will report to Rakesh Thukral, Edelman’s CEO for APAC.

Sekel Tech unveils hyperlocal marketing platform

Sekel Tech has launched a hyperlocal marketing solution for the real estate sector. The platform aims to enhance digital engagement and drive sales by combining data analytics with automated marketing tools. It offers real-time insights to real estate professionals, enabling them to refine their marketing strategies as more homebuyers use smartphones to search for properties, compare prices, and assess amenities.

The platform integrates AI-driven targeting with location-specific property listings and proximity-based benefits, enabling marketers to reach potential buyers at optimal moments. Sekel Tech’s solution also features multi-channel capabilities, including direct posting to Google My Business and managing paid ad campaigns across Google, Facebook, and Instagram from a single dashboard.

A key feature of the platform is advanced automation that facilitates personalised buyer interactions. The use of geofencing and real-time data analytics ensures property listings and pricing insights are delivered directly to prospective buyers. The solution integrates Google Search, social media, WhatsApp, and SMS to streamline customer engagement and support virtual tours.

Razorpay appoints Neha Mishra as head of events marketing

Razorpay has appointed Neha Mishra as head of events marketing. With over 18 years of experience in luxury, lifestyle, entertainment, and sports marketing, Mishra brings a wealth of expertise in brand storytelling and omnichannel marketing. She has previously held positions at Condé Nast India, BookMyShow, Extramarks, and Seventy EMG, where she led experiential marketing campaigns for global brands such as Louis Vuitton, Mercedes-Benz, and Harley-Davidson.

At Razorpay, Mishra will shape the company's experiential and brand marketing strategy, helping to expand its presence beyond fintech into broader sectors like culture and business innovation. Her appointment further strengthens Razorpay’s commitment to creating dynamic, consumer-focused brand narratives.

Hindalco reveals new brand identity

Hindalco Industries Ltd has unveiled a new brand identity as part of its transformation from a materials supplier to an engineered solutions provider. The company aims to invest INR 45,000 crores in next-generation high-precision engineered products across various industries, including electric mobility, renewable energy, and semiconductors.

Hindalco’s new logo, which features a bold ‘H', represents forward momentum and highlights the company’s role in shaping India's industrial future. The company also introduced a new tagline, 'Engineering Better Futures,' reflecting its focus on sustainability, circularity, and precision engineering. As part of its transformation, Hindalco is prioritising innovation in automotive, aerospace, and energy storage.

Madison Media Infinity wins media AOR for Samsonite India

Samsonite India has appointed Madison Media Infinity, as its media agency of record (AOR). The agency will manage both traditional and digital media, including TV, print, radio, cinema, outdoor, and digital platforms for Samsonite’s brands, including Samsonite, American Tourister, and Kamiliant.

The agency’s appointment is part of Samsonite India's strategy to strengthen its leadership in the travel luggage market. Madison Media Infinity’s experience in integrated media strategies is expected to enhance the brand’s presence across various platforms, driving growth and innovation in the sector.