Moves and wins roundup: Week of 9 September

Nikhil Singhal appointed WCC president for India, Som Mandal as vice president 

The World Cricket Council (WCC) has appointed media strategist and entrepreneur Nikhil Singhal as president for India. Singhal, who heads Vigor Media Worldwide, brings his experience in media management and public relations to this new role. His appointment is expected to enhance WCC's global initiatives, as he aims to contribute to the council's mission of elevating cricket on the international stage.

In addition, the WCC has named legal expert Som Mandal, managing partner of Fox Mandal, as vice president. Mandal’s expertise in corporate governance and regulatory frameworks is seen as vital to the council’s strategic initiatives. These leadership appointments are part of WCC's broader efforts to strengthen global cricket governance.

People Matters names Pushkaraj Bidwai as CEO after Mynavi acquisition 

People Matters, a media platform for HR and talent leaders in India and APAC, has announced Pushkaraj Bidwai as its new chief executive officer. This change follows the company's full acquisition by Mynavi Corporation, a Japan-based HR firm. Bidwai, a founding member and former chief business officer, will succeed Ester Martinez, who is stepping down after 15 years to pursue personal interests.  

The transition comes as part of a strategic move to accelerate growth and deepen engagement within the HR community. Mynavi's acquisition is expected to provide substantial resources and support, enabling People Matters to expand its reach and introduce new initiatives. Bidwai, who has significantly contributed to the brand's international expansion, is poised to lead the company into its next phase, focusing on innovation and increased global impact in the HR sector.

Rajesh Sharma rejoins McCann Mumbai as national planning director 

Rajesh Sharma has rejoined McCann Mumbai as national planning director, bringing over 20 years of experience in advertising and communication. With a PGDM in Brand Management and Market Research from MICA, he has previously worked with FCB, DDB, TBWA, and Lowe, in addition to his earlier stint at McCann.

Sharma is known for his data-driven insights and consumer behavior mapping to develop effective marketing strategies. His return to McCann is expected to enhance its operations in Mumbai, especially in aligning marketing interventions with customer journeys. Sharma highlighted McCann’s entrepreneurial culture and its focus on creativity and strategic planning as key reasons for his return, emphasizing the agency’s role in understanding the evolving Indian consumer market.  

Shailesh Gupta continues as MRUCI chairman, Vikram Sakhuja elected vice chairman

At the 30th Annual General Meeting of the Media Research Users Council India (MRUCI) on September 12, 2024, Shailesh Gupta, wholetime director of Jagran Prakashan, was confirmed to continue as chairman. Vikram Sakhuja, partner and group CEO of Madison Communications, was elected vice chairman, succeeding Shashank Srivastava. Several new members were also appointed to the board of governors, including leaders from Maruti Suzuki, Hindustan Unilever, and Sakal Media Pvt. Ltd.

Both Gupta and Sakhuja bring significant experience to their roles. Gupta has led Jagran Prakashan’s marketing strategies for 25 years, while Sakhuja has contributed over 38 years of experience in media and marketing, having held top positions at GroupM, Maxus, and other key organisations.

Rajesh Sareen joins Zee Media as chief revenue officer to lead revenue strategy 

Zee Media Corporation Limited (ZMCL) has appointed Rajesh Sareen as its new chief revenue officer (CRO). In this role, Sareen will focus on driving the company’s revenue strategies across its television, digital, and print platforms, while reporting to CEO Karan Abhishek Singh. His appointment aims to strengthen ZMCL’s business strategy, with an emphasis on building new revenue streams and expanding business opportunities in a competitive media landscape.

Rajesh Sareen brings over 20 years of experience in media sales and business development, having held leadership roles at TV18 Broadcast Limited, Star India, BCCL, and HT Media. His expertise in both traditional and digital media positions him well to guide Zee Media’s revenue growth. Sareen’s new responsibilities will include developing innovative revenue models and forming strategic partnerships to enhance the company’s offerings to advertisers and partners.

SW Network secures MTR Foods' international social media mandate 

SW Network, an integrated advertising agency, has been appointed to manage the social media strategy for MTR Foods' international business. The agency won the mandate after a competitive multi-agency pitch and will oversee social media efforts from its New Delhi office.

MTR Foods, known for its range of packaged Indian food products, has a significant presence in markets including the USA, the UK, and Southeast Asia. SW Network will be tasked with creating a comprehensive social media strategy, developing content, and managing the brand’s online reputation across these global markets.

Lauritz Knudsen teams up with L&K Saatchi & Saatchi for new ad campaign 

Lauritz Knudsen Electrical and Automation, previously known as L&T Switchgear, has appointed L&K Saatchi & Saatchi as its new advertising agency. The collaboration marks the launch of a campaign aimed at reinforcing the brand's identity post-acquisition by Schneider Electric in 2020. The campaign features a film directed by Ashim Ahluwalia and a musical score by Shankar Mahadevan, showcasing the brand's historical impact and evolution under its new name.

The campaign, which is being promoted across television and digital platforms, includes a partnership with the game show 'Kaun Banega Crorepati'. It highlights the company’s legacy and its transition from L&T Switchgear to Lauritz Knudsen, with content available in multiple Indian languages to ensure widespread reach and engagement.

Nimulid Strong taps Story Digital for creative and digital campaign

Mankind Pharmaceuticals has appointed Story Digital as the new creative and digital agency for Nimulid Strong, its neck pain relief brand. This partnership is aimed at enhancing the brand's market presence through relatable campaigns. Story Digital will lead the development of the 'Gardan hilate raho'  (Keep shaking the neck) campaign, which focuses on India's distinctive gestures and aims to address neck pain in a way that resonates with the local audience.

The campaign will highlight how Nimulid Strong can help keep neck movements smooth and pain-free, emphasizing the brand's commitment to relieving discomfort associated with common daily gestures. Story Digital's role will involve driving creative strategies and digital engagement to elevate Nimulid Strong’s visibility and connect with consumers across various platforms.

Godrej Enterprises Group has enlisted Bombay Design Centre to lead a comprehensive redesign of its corporate website. The project will include revamping the design, content, user experience, and technology to better represent the company's diverse business operations and prepare for future eCommerce capabilities. The new website will reflect Godrej's extensive portfolio, which spans multiple sectors including aerospace, defense, healthcare, and consumer durables.

The redesign aims to create a unified digital platform that integrates Godrej's various business segments and enhances user engagement. This initiative aligns with the group's strategy to strengthen its online presence and set new standards in the digital space.

DashLoc appoints Ashish Tiwari as co-founder and chief strategy officer 

DashLoc, a hyperlocal martech discovery platform, has appointed Ashish Tiwari as co-founder and chief strategy officer (CSO). An experienced entrepreneur, he has previously founded and led multiple startups, including Hair Originals and HealthKhoj. He was part of the leadership team at Hair Originals, which secured funding on Shark Tank India, and was successful with Hair Forever’s acquisition.

Tiwari had already been serving as a mentor to DashLoc’s product and partnership teams over the past year and will now oversee the company's product strategy and partnerships. In his new role, he will focus on expanding DashLoc’s platform globally while strengthening its offerings through strategic partnerships. 

XONN partners with DigiStreet Media for fintech launch

XONN has teamed up with DigiStreet Media to enhance its digital and offline presence. The collaboration aims to position the fintech brand from BANKIT Services as a comprehensive financial platform, offering accessible and user-friendly services to individuals and enterprises alike. DigiStreet will manage XONN’s branding across multiple channels, creating a sleek and engaging user experience that aligns with industry trends. The brand name 'XONN', symbolising 'eXperience on the go', was also conceptualized by DigiStreet, emphasizing simplicity and innovation in financial management.

BANKIT, known for its financial inclusion efforts in rural India, now plans to extend its services to enterprises in urban areas through XONN. With DigiStreet's creative expertise, the new brand will offer a full-stack fintech solution, catering to a wide audience. This partnership is designed to enhance XONN's visibility in the competitive fintech landscape, leveraging both digital and traditional platforms to build a strong, dynamic brand identity.

Amagi expands into Mexico, strengthening Latin American presence 

Bangalore-based cloud SaaS company Amagi has announced its entry into the Mexican market, continuing its global expansion efforts. With a presence already established in Latin America, particularly in Brazil, this move aims to tap into the growing digital media and entertainment landscape in Mexico.

Amagi will offer broadcasters and content owners advanced cloud-based solutions for improving content delivery and monetisation. To lead the effort, the company has appointed Miriam Rios as director of account management, bringing her expertise in sales advertising and media to drive growth in the region.

Collective Artists Network teams up with Travelin Bone to develop films for global audiences 

Mumbai-based Collective Artists Network has partnered with US production company Travelin Bone Entertainment to co-develop a slate of five films featuring Indian talent aimed at international viewers. This collaboration will harness Collective’s deep network within India's film industry to bring diverse stories across genres like psychological thrillers, action, romantic comedies, and noir to create culturally rooted yet universally appealing narratives.

Travelin Bone, which sources original content globally, sees this deal as a strategic step into the Indian market. The films will be developed with a focus on cross-border storytelling, blending Indian perspectives with global production standards. Both companies aim to expand opportunities for Indian talent while crafting stories that resonate internationally, underscoring the growing trend of borderless entertainment in the evolving global film industry.

Havas Worldwide India announces new strategic appointments

Havas Worldwide India announced new additions to its strategy team with the appointment of Dhananjoy Ray, Aniruddh Subramanian, and Jahan Nargolwala as associate vice presidents for planning and strategy. All three will report to John Thangaraj, chief strategy officer, Havas Creative Network India, and will be based in Gurgaon. Ray, with over a decade of experience, has worked with agencies like FCB India and Publicis India, specialising in communication and brand strategy for clients such as Horlicks, Uber, and Google. Nargolwala brings nearly 13 years of experience from Creativeland Asia and expertise in brand planning, having worked with brands like Pizza Hut and Coca-Cola. Subramanian, with over 10 years of experience, joins from FCB India and holds a Master’s in marketing from the University of Cincinnati, with a background in FMCG, tech, and health sectors.

Asymmetrique handed omnichannel marketing mandate for Kirtilals

Asymmetrique has been awarded the full-funnel, omnichannel marketing mandate for Kirtilals, an 85-year-old diamond and gold jewellery brand, following a competitive pitch. The Mumbai-based marketing firm will implement a digital-first strategy, integrating programmatic advertising and online-to-offline (O2O) marketing to drive customer engagement and revenue growth. 

Magnifi appoints Elliot Renton as senior vice president for Asia Pacific

Magnifi by VideoVerse, an AI-powered video editing and automated highlights generation platform, has appointed Elliot Renton as senior vice president for the Asia Pacific region. Renton will focus on driving growth across the sports, media, and entertainment industries, supporting Magnifi’s broader expansion strategy in the APAC market, including India. With over two decades of industry experience, Renton has held senior roles at AWS, Grabyo, DAZN, Discovery Networks, Nokia, and Getty Images. He will be based in Singapore.

Cactus Communications appoints Akhilesh Ayer as CEO

Cactus Communications has appointed Akhilesh Ayer as chief executive officer, with founder Abhishek Goel transitioning to chief mentor while remaining on the board. Ayer brings over 25 years of experience, having previously served as executive vice president at WNS Global Services, where he led the data, analytics, AI and research business unit. His leadership background spans global businesses, transformation programs, and mergers and acquisitions.

Prashant Verma joins CoinDCX as chief growth and marketing officer

CoinDCX has appointed Prashant Verma as its chief growth and marketing officer (CGMO). In his new role, he will focus on expanding the cryptocurrency exchange's user base, boosting revenue, and enhancing the brand's presence across India. Verma's previous experience includes leadership roles at Blinkit and Licious, where he developed marketing strategies and contributed to scaling operations in competitive markets. 

Verma takes over from Minal Thukral, who will now focus on driving the growth of DeFi initiatives within Okto, another DCX Group venture. He will lead key teams, including brand, digital, and customer lifecycle management, and oversee the marketing efforts of BitOasis, a DCX Group company based in the Middle East. His responsibilities will also include new market launches and geographical expansions.