Moves and wins roundup: Week of 5 Aug

Vikas Sharma joins Locomotive Global Media as head of film projects 

Locomotive Global Media, a Mumbai-based international production company, has appointed Vikas Sharma as the head of film projects. In this role, he will lead the development, acquisitions, and business operations for the company's emerging film division.

Sharma brings over a decade of experience in the media and entertainment industry to his new position. Before joining Locomotive Global Media, he was an associate producer at Bandra West Pictures, where he collaborated closely with director Raja Krishna Menon. Sharma holds a postgraduate degree in Business Management from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Kotak Mahindra Bank appoints Kedarswamy Ravangave as head of marketing for consumer and commercial bank

Kotak Mahindra Bank has appointed Kedarswamy Ravangave as the head of marketing for its consumer and commercial bank divisions. He brings extensive experience in marketing and brand management from his previous roles at Amazon and Marico. He will work closely with the bank's business teams and report to Rohit Bhasin, the president and chief marketing officer.

Ravangave holds a B.Tech in Electronics and Communication from Malaviya National Institute of Technology Jaipur and an MBA from Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune. His new role will focus on driving marketing initiatives to strengthen Kotak Mahindra Bank's brand in the financial services sector.

Oktobuzz wins digital marketing mandate for Vithoba Health Care

Vithoba Health Care has appointed Oktobuzz to manage its digital marketing and social media efforts. The agency will aim to position the Ayurveda-based oral healthcare and wellness brand by enhancing its online presence through data-driven digital communication campaigns and martech projects. Oktobuzz will boost Vithoba's brand awareness through digital and social media campaigns, optimise its presence on marketplaces and quick commerce platforms, and develop new revenue streams. 

Enormous Brands has appointed Sindhu Sharma as the national creative director for the northern region. She brings extensive experience and a strong background in creative leadership, having previously served as executive creative director at Lowe Lintas, where she worked on campaigns for clients like Google, Whirlpool, and Nescafe.

Before her role at Lowe Lintas, Sharma held leadership positions at Mullen Lintas and Publicis Capital, working with brands such as Havells, Dabur, and Nestle. Her career also includes stints at JWT, Contract Advertising, McCann Erickson, and Rediffusion DY&R. This appointment aligns with Enormous Brands' strategy to continue its growth across India by enhancing its creative capabilities.

Brand Street Integrated expands footprint in Gujarat, appoints Siddharth Mishra as business director 

Gurgaon-based marketing agency Brand Street Integrated has expanded its operations into Gujarat with the appointment of Siddharth Mishra as the new business director (west). This strategic move reflects the agency's commitment to enhancing its presence and growth in the western region of India.

Mishra brings over 11 years of experience in integrated marketing communications, having held significant roles at agencies like Publicis, Dentsu, DDB, and Schbang. His expertise includes business development, brand management, and strategic marketing. Brand Street Integrated offers a range of services including consumer marketing, trade marketing, rural marketing, OOH, merchandising, digital marketing, and creative services.

Flags Communications wins PR mandate for Mama Nourish 

Flags Communications, a marketing communications agency, has secured the media mandate for Mama Nourish, known for its Laddubars. This partnership aims to enhance the brand's presence and promote its mission of combining traditional culinary wisdom with modern innovation.

The PR strategy includes various media activities to highlight Mama Nourish’s products and its goal of reviving age-old recipes for health and wellness. The food products company was founded by Usha Shrotriya, supported by her family, to address the challenges modern working mothers face in preserving traditional nutritious recipes. Flags Communications will assist in formulating go-to-market plans to establish Mama Nourish as a prominent brand celebrating India's culinary heritage.

Filter Coffee Co partners with food brand Bharat Vedica

Filter Coffee Co, a full-service digital agency specialising in social media, content production, and influencer marketing, has partnered with Bharat Vedica, a brand dedicated to preserving Indian traditions through organic food products. As part of the partnership, Filter Coffee Co. will manage the company's social and digital media strategies and influencer collaborations.

The agency will create visually compelling content and leverage influencer marketing to enhance Bharat Vedica's online presence and engagement. This collaboration aims to elevate its reach in the organic food market by connecting with consumers who value purity and tradition.

Manish Bhatnagar joins BEI Confluence as director—digital services 

BEI Confluence, an independent advertising agency in India, has appointed Manish Bhatnagar as director-digital services. He brings 19 years of experience in digital marketing, including programmatic marketing, influencer marketing, and digital media planning and buying, with a focus on ROI-based strategies.

Previously, Bhatnagar served as head-digital marketing at Digitalthinkhub in Gurugram, where he developed successful client-centered digital marketing campaigns. His career also includes roles at Percept Ltd, Times Group, Hindustan Times, and the Confederation of Indian Industry. At BEI Confluence, he will lead the digital team and spearhead initiatives for brands such as Biryani by Kilo, Kajaria Kerovit, Insecticides (India) Ltd, JK Group, and Modi Group’s flagship brands.

Safex Chemicals appoints Chandrashekhar Shukla as president of sales and marketing

Safex Chemicals has named Chandrashekhar Shukla as its new president of sales and marketing. With a 30-year career, he has extensive experience in managing profit center operations, international marketing, and sales for companies such as Bayer, BASF, DCM Shriram Ltd., and Crystal Crop Protection Ltd.

Shukla's expertise includes profit and loss responsibilities in pesticides, seeds, and farm equipment across India, Thailand, and East Africa. He most recently served as the head of international business development at Crystal Crop Protection. His career also includes a role as vice president of business development at Dhanuka Agritech Ltd.

Bharatendu Kabi has joined JSW as the executive vice president and group head of media and communications. In his new role, he will relocate to Mumbai. 

Kabi brings nearly two decades of experience in the automotive industry, having previously served as the head of corporate communications and corporate social responsibility at Hero MotoCorp, a company he was associated with 19 years. He joined Hero MotoCorp in 2005 after a six-year tenure with PepsiCo.

Manish Tiwary resigns as head of Amazon India

Manish Tiwary, the country manager for Amazon India, has resigned to pursue other opportunities, ending his eight-year tenure with the e-commerce giant. He joined Amazon India in 2016, initially serving as vice president for four years before being promoted to country manager in 2020. During his time at Amazon, he oversaw the consumer and seller services verticals.

Tiwary will remain with Amazon until October, after which Amit Agarwal, vice president of India and emerging markets, will work closely with the team to ensure a smooth transition. Before joining Amazon, Tiwary was the managing director of Unilever's Gulf business.

NIIT Ltd appoints Anshumaan Prasad as head of marketing 

NIIT Ltd, a skills and talent development corporation, has named Anshumaan Prasad as its new head of marketing. With over 13 years of experience in FMCG, and tech sectors, he has held key roles at HUL and Amazon.

In his previous role as senior brand manager at Amazon India, Prasad significantly boosted the growth of Amazon Prime membership and Amazon Specials. He will now spearhead NIIT's marketing strategy and growth initiatives.

Asymmetrique wins digital mandate for Laljee Godhoo & Company 

Mumbai-based marketing solutions agency Asymmetrique has been awarded the digital mandate for Laljee Godhoo & Company, an Indian spice and condiments manufacturer with a legacy of over 130 years. The partnership aims to enhance the company's digital presence and brand awareness in India's competitive market. The agency secured the mandate through a multi-agency pitch and will manage the account from its Mumbai office.

Asymmetrique will develop and implement digital marketing strategies to expand Laljee Godhoo's online reach and engagement. The agency's responsibilities include creating engaging content, managing social media platforms, and improving online visibility through SEO and SEM initiatives. Known for its experience with several F&B brands, Asymmetrique aims to leverage its expertise to help Laljee Godhoo stand out in the market, emphasising the brand's quality, purity, and legacy.

Neeraj Vyas moves on from Sony Pictures Networks India to pursue an entrepreneurial journey

Neeraj Vyas, business head of Sony Pictures Networks India's (SPNI) general entertainment channels, including Sony Entertainment Television and Sony SAB, will leave the company on August 31, 2024. After nearly three decades at the company, where he significantly shaped the network's key businesses and channels, he is moving on to pursue an entrepreneurial venture.

Starting his career in sales for Sony Entertainment Television, Vyas quickly advanced to national sales head and later became executive vice president for Sony MIX. His leadership extended to Sony MAX, Sony SAB, Sony PAL, and Sony Entertainment Television, where he successfully repositioned Sony SAB as a premium brand and drove notable growth.

Former Contract Advertising executive Subho Sengupta launches Possible Creations

Subho Sengupta, previously the executive vice president and general manager at Contract Advertising, has launched Possible Creations, a bespoke marketing and communication agency. Announcing the new venture on LinkedIn, Sengupta aims to help brands and individuals discover and realise their full potential through boundary-pushing marketing strategies.

With over 25 years of experience, Sengupta has worked at prominent agencies including J Walter Thompson, TBWA\ India, and Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising. Possible Creations seeks to transform consumer aspirations into realities by leveraging creativity and technology, aiming to redefine the limits of what's achievable in the marketing world.