Moves and wins roundup: Week of 6 May

Shreyansh Baid, Fanindra Jain, and Rishi Sen launch new company

Shreyansh Baid, Fanindra Jain, and Rishi Sen, key figures with extensive backgrounds in communications and digital strategy in India, have launched DO—a new creative-tech solutions company. DO aims to meld the art of storytelling with modern interaction design and technology to provide unique and impactful marketing solutions. 

Namit Sharma appointed CEO of Arré Studio

Arré, a digital brand in India, has appointed Namit Sharma as the new CEO of Arré Studio. With a 25-year career in the media and entertainment industry, Sharma has held notable roles at Sony Entertainment Television, Yash Raj Films, Wizcraft Entertainment, Zee Network, and Reliance Entertainment. His experience spans journalism, scriptwriting, television production, film production, and digital content. As the new leader at Arré, Sharma will be responsible for driving the brand forward across various media channels including OTT platforms, broadcast, and social media. He will also mentor the content team at Arré Voice, focusing on their unique 30-second audio pods in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi, which are making an impact in tier 3 and rural India. 

Rajashree Ivaturi joins Ipsos Strategy3 as partner in India

Ipsos has appointed Rajashree Ivaturi as partner at Ipsos Strategy3 in India, its management consulting division. Ivaturi, with over two decades of experience in research-based consulting and vocational training program scaling at Quess Corp, brings a wealth of expertise to her new role. Reporting to Amit Adarkar, CEO of Ipsos India, she is tasked with leveraging opportunities across various government sectors and a broad client base that includes consumer-packaged goods, healthcare, automotive, and education industries. Ipsos established in 1975 and listed on Euronext Paris, operates in 90 markets with a team of over 20,000 professionals.

Jyoti Malhotra named editor-in-chief of The Tribune Group

The Tribune Trust has announced the appointment of Jyoti Malhotra as its new editor-in-chief  effective May 14. Malhotra brings a rich background in journalism, having served in senior editorial roles at major media outlets such as India Today, Indian Express, The Print, and Star News. Known for her insightful coverage on politics, diplomacy, and culture, Malhotra also contributes regularly to BBC Radio. She succeeds Rajesh Ramachandran, marking the end of his six-year tenure with the leading regional newspaper.

BBH India appoints Ankit Sharma and Layla Khan as senior vice presidents for Strategy

BBH India, part of Publicis Groupe India, has strengthened its strategic leadership with the addition of Ankit Sharma and Layla Khan as senior vice presidents for Strategy. Positioned in Gurugram and Mumbai, respectively, they are set to lead the planning and strategy function of the agency. Sharma brings over 16 years of experience in advertising, brand consulting, and analytics, having worked with high-profile brands like PepsiCo India and Nike. Khan, with over 15 years in the industry, has shaped strategies for global and local brands, including HSBC and Unilever. Both will report to Himanshu Saxena, COO and managing director, and are tasked with driving the strategic direction on key client relationships and enhancing the 'Zag' quotient across the agency’s brands. 

B&K selects Pitchfork Partners as integrated communications partner

B&K (Batlivala & Karani), an established financial services group in India since the 1880s, has chosen Pitchfork Partners as its integrated communications partner following a rigorous selection process. Pitchfork Partners will enhance B&K's external engagement, focusing on strategic media relations, thought leadership, and social media outreach. 

Wavemaker India retains Luminous Power Technologies' media mandate

Wavemaker India has successfully retained the integrated media mandate for Luminous Power Technologies, continuing a partnership that began in 2021. The agency will continue to handle both traditional and digital media responsibilities, encompassing media strategy, planning, investment, activation, and content creation. Following a competitive pitch against multiple agencies, Wavemaker's Delhi office will manage all aspects of the campaign. 

Sapna Arora departs Dentsu as chief client officer

Dentsu India has announced that CCO Sapna Arora is leaving the company after a tenure of one year and five months. Since joining in January 2023, Arora played a key role in enhancing client solutions and contributed significantly to the network's growth. She collaborated extensively with the leadership and teams across various sectors, helping to shape dentsu into a 'Network of the Future.' Harsha Razdan, CEO of South Asia at dentsu, praised Arora as a valuable leadership team member and a key partner in addressing clients' business challenges. Arora expressed her gratitude for the insights and experiences gained at dentsu. Arora's next move has not yet been confirmed.

Experience Commerce wins digital mandate for Savsol

Experience Commerce (EC), a digital agency within the Cheil Network, has been appointed as the exclusive digital agency for Savsol, the flagship engine oil brand of Savita Oil Technologies. EC will focus on boosting Savsol's brand awareness and business growth through a range of services including digital, creative, and performance marketing. 

Buffalo Soldiers wins mandate for for Columbia Pacific Communities

Buffalo Soldiers has acquired a new client, Columbia Pacific Communities, one of India’s leading senior living community operators. Under this collaboration, Buffalo Soldiers will manage Columbia Pacific Communities' social media, online reputation, and design campaigns aimed at enriching the lives of seniors. This partnership aims to boost Columbia Pacific’s digital footprint and forge a deeper connection with seniors and their families, enhancing their community experience through targeted digital content.

Elev8 Venture Partners appoints The Media Manifest for strategic communications

Elev8 Venture Partners, the pro-rata fund venture capital firm based in Bengaluru, has appointed The Media Manifest as its strategic communication partner. The agency will handle public relations to enhance Elev8's visibility and position within the startup investment arena. Elev8, supported by KB Investment and Venture Catalysts, manages a $200 million fund focused on growth-stage, technology-driven companies. The firm typically invests in 12-14 tech-enabled, sector-agnostic startups per cycle in Series B and C rounds, with each investment ranging from $10-15 million.

Steve Priya wins The Sleep Company account 

Steve Priya, the advertising agency founded by former executive creative directors of Wunderman Thompson, has secured its first significant new business with The Sleep Company. This win comes after a competitive multi-agency pitch and the account will be managed from the agency's Mumbai office. The Sleep Company, known for its leadership in the comfort-tech sector and innovation in products like mattresses and Smart Recliner Beds, is entering a new phase of growth. Steve Priya will develop integrated marketing strategies for all product categories, including the newly launched ErgoSmart chairs and recliner sofas.

The Womb appoints Anurag Gupta as CEO

The Womb has appointed Anurag Gupta as its new CEO, effective from May 2nd, to drive the expansion of its strategic and creative capabilities, especially in data-dependent mid and bottom funnel work. A young boutique strategy and creative company which has ranked among the top three most effective agencies in Asia, The Womb counts Vini, Mahindra, Britannia, Cipla, Sebamed, Symphony, Piramal Finance, Kotak, and Lenskart as some of its clients. Gupta brings a unique blend of classical training and recent experience in building a tech and data company, having worked at leading agencies including DDB Mudra Group, WPP and Wunderman throughout his career.

Rakesh Singh steps in as CEO of Paytm Money

Paytm Money, part of One97 Communications, has announced Rakesh Singh as its new CEO following Varun Sridhar's shift to lead Paytm Services, which focuses on mutual funds and wealth management. The appointment, as reported by Mint, comes as Paytm Money aims to become a leading broker in India by expanding customer acquisition and introducing innovative, cost-effective products. Singh, who brings over 18 years of experience in the banking industry and previously led Fisdom, a discount brokerage firm, takes the helm after Sridhar led Paytm Money.

Carat India wins mandate for Meesho

Carat India has won the integrated media mandate for Meesho, following a competitive multi-agency pitch. The mandate, which is to be managed from the Bangalore office of Carat, involves providing a full suite of integrated and full-funnel media solutions. The agency will aim to redefine Meesho's e-commerce strategy in alignment with evolving consumer behaviors, leveraging advanced technologies and data-driven insights. This collaboration intends to enhance Meesho's position as a top e-commerce destination for India's next billion users, focusing on digital transformation and boosting engagement, particularly among the active internet user base. The strategy also includes supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs across India, reinforcing Meesho's commitment to democratising internet commerce.

Pallavi Mohan joins BLS International as global head of corporate communications

Pallavi Mohan, a seasoned communications professional with over 20 years of international experience, has joined BLS International as the global head of corporate communications. In this role, Mohan will spearhead the company's communication strategies both in India and international markets. Holding advanced degrees in marketing & IT and Digital Marketing from India and the USA, respectively, her extensive background includes roles at major organisations like Samsung Electronics and Café Coffee Day, as well as teaching at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication. BLS International.