Rediffusion Promotes Kalyani Srivastava To Joint President

Rediffusion promoted Kalyani Srivastava to the position of Joint President. Kalyani will continue to be based out of Mumbai. Moreover, she will also take charge of Rediffusion Studios.

“I am delighted that Kalyani Srivastava is moving to a bigger role within the agency and will be shouldering more and more responsibilities in the days and months ahead. Ever since I took over at Rediffusion last year, I have leaned heavily on Kalyani both for the continuity of business with existing clients, as well as for the growth of new businesses. Kalyani is an inspiring leader and one who leads by personal example. Over the past year, together, we have revamped the agency, inducted new talent, and sharpened our deliveries to clients. Kalyani, I am sure, will take Rediffusion to much greater heights with all her sharp thinking, untiring hard work, and the warmth of her client relationships,” says Dr. Sandeep Goyal, Managing Director of Rediffusion.

Kalyani will join Navonil Chatterjee at the Joint President level. Navonil, who heads Strategy Planning, has been Joint President for the past three years.

“I am really happy to be bestowed and rewarded with greater responsibilities at Rediffusion where I have now completed over a decade. Mumbai is our flagship office, and leading it into the future is a singular privilege. It is my continued endeavour to produce cutting edge work for our clients; recruit, train and retain good talent and grow the Rediffusion franchise further”, adds Kalyani Srivastava.

Kalyani spent a longish innings as Chief of Staff to Chairman Diwan Arun Nanda in her initial years at Rediffusion. She then played a pivotal role in managing the Tata group’s PR business at Rediffusion-Edelman. She took charge of Rediffusion Mumbai two years ago as Executive Vice President.

Vikram Lalvani Takes Over As MD & CEO of Sterling Holidays

After seven years of overseeing various strategic responsibilities at Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited, which included, Customer Engagement, Revenue maximization, Hotel Sales, and Resort Operations, Mr. Vikram Lalvani will be taking on the role of Managing Director & CEO, a post which was effectively held by Mr. Ramesh Ramanathan since 2011, who will now continue to guide the company as its Chairman.

As CMD for Sterling, Mr. Ramesh Ramanathan has been instrumental in steering the company’s turnaround and making it profitable, and establishing the Sterling Brand in the Leisure Holiday space. During his time, he has also transformed the company from being a major player only in the time-share segment to a strong Leisure Hospitality player across all customer segments. Over the past decade, Sterling has expanded its footprint from 10 resorts to over 38 resorts with over 2,500 rooms, spread across hills, beaches, jungles, rivers, heritage, pilgrimage, and drive-to locations, pan-India.

Continuing to serve the company as the Chairman, Ramesh Ramanathan, said, “I am extremely pleased on the appointment of Vikram as Managing Director & CEO, to lead Sterling towards newer avenues. I look forward to working with him toward our common vision of making Sterling the No. 1 Leisure Hospitality brand in India. On behalf of the board and the team, we are confident that Vikram’s vast experience in the hospitality industry will be a huge advantage for us. His energy, passion, and eye for detail will also boost the team in delivering exceptional services and make Sterling the preferred brand for our guests. I congratulate him and wish him all the best for his next chapter.”

Commenting on his new role, Mr. Vikram Lalvani, Managing Director & CEO, Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited. said, “I am honored to be given this responsibility. We will continue on the growth path set for us and drive to double our inventory and footprint to over 5,000+ rooms by 2025. With a focus on Digitisation, we will bring innovation in services for our guests and create a unique place for Sterling in the leisure space. I look forward to further strengthening the brand and building market leadership in the coming years.”

In his previous role as COO, of Sterling Holidays, Vikram has been responsible for successfully strengthening the preferred partners’ network, launching new revenue-focused projects, and spearheading the expansion plans across the country which now includes 38 plus resorts in operation and many more in the pipeline. 

Mr Lalvani has over 25 years of leadership experience in the Hospitality, Leisure, and ITeS industries with proven expertise in revenue maximisation and technology solutions. In the past, Mr. Lalvani has held crucial positions in companies such as The Indian Hotels Company Limited, and Sutherland Global Services.

Havas India Assigns Samarpita Banerjee As Director of Marketing & Communications

Havas Creative Group India, the creative conglomerate of Havas Group India has appointed Samarpita Banerjee as Director, Marketing & Communications. She will report to Pritha Dasgupta, Chief Marketing Officer, Havas Group India, and will be based out of Mumbai. 

Samarpita will work across all agencies of Havas Creative Group India, including Havas Worldwide, Havas CX, Think Design, Conran Design Group Mumbai, and Shobiz Havas Experiential. Sneha Pillai Ahuja, Senior Manager - Marketing & Communications, will continue to lead corporate communications of Havas Media Group India.

Havas Creative Group India is home to some of the most talented people in the disciplines of creativity, strategy, design, experiential, digital, customer experience (CX), and UI/UX. Our extensive in-house capabilities across all communication disciplines and best-in-class partners allow us to create customised, purpose-built solutions that help drive and maximise clients’ businesses. Its ethos and philosophy are firmly blended into Havas Group’s global framework of Meaningful Brands through which we make a Meaningful Difference to our client's businesses.

Pritha Dasgupta, CMO, Havas Group India, said, “The current momentum of Havas Group India is unparalleled. The complete transformation that the network has witnessed is not just on the back of outstanding business growth but also a result of several industry-first initiatives, like Havas Spark, UN Unstereotype Alliance, Women Who Inspire, Women Bounce Back programme, etc. This undoubtedly makes Havas Group India, perhaps the most progressive agency network in India that is deeply invested in making a meaningful difference to the industry and the community at large. With Samarpita coming on board, we will be able to build stronger, more meaningful chronicles around the legacy and the future we are building."

Pidilite's CMO Vivek Sharma Quits

After more than seven years of association with the Fevicol maker Pidilite Industries, Chief Marketing Officer Vivek Sharma has decided to move on. Sharma shared his movement away from the company on LinkedIn. 

"Over 7 years at Pidilite Industries Limited working on 7 #iconicbrands with 6000 great colleagues came to an end yesterday but the unbreakable bond with Pidilite will last forever. I have had fulfilling, and fun-filled years at Pidilite and I want to express gratitude to my seniors, colleagues - present and past and the agency partners. To sharpen business building approach, brand creation, innovation, and skills to navigate in the VUCA world, Pidilite is the place. I wish the Pidilite family the continued success they have always enjoyed. My next playing innings by taking fresh guard will be live soon," Sharma said in a LinkedIn post.

As CMO, Sharma looked after the corporate brand marketing planning & implementation across businesses, marketing talent management, and continuous improvement in marketing processes like innovation and new product launches.

An industry veteran with over 25 years of experience, Vivek has in the past held senior leadership positions at Philips, MIRC Electronics, Ogilvy Advertising, and Cadbury Kraft (now Mondelez). He brings with him a unique blend of business and brand development experience across FMCG, healthcare, lighting, and consumer durables encompassing B2C, B2B, and B2G.

As VP Indian sub-continent at Philips India, he built ‘ONE PHILIPS’ and led the marketing, planning, and implementation of the three Philip’s businesses in consumer lifestyle, lighting, and healthcare.

As Vice President - Marketing, Sales and Service, MIRC Electronics Limited (ONIDA), he spearheaded the re-launch of the ONIDA brand across product categories. At Ogilvy, he led the Hindustan Unilever (HUL) business nationally across functions and geographies.

Sharma holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Bangalore, and a Bachelor of Technology from the Indian School of Mines.

Mahindra Manulife Mutual Fund Designates Anthony Heredia As MD & CEO

Mahindra Manulife Mutual Fund, a joint venture of Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services (“Mahindra Finance”)  and Manulife Investment Management (Singapore) has appointed of Anthony Heredia as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Mahindra Manulife Investment Management. The appointment is effective from 1st April 2022. Heredia will succeed Ashutosh Bishnoi, who retired on 31st March 2022.  

Heredia brings with him more than 26 years of rich experience in the fund industry throughout his career handling a variety of leadership roles. He brings with him diverse experience in managing both retail as well as institutional sales across domestic and offshore markets. 

Speaking on the appointment, Ramesh Iyer, VC & MD, Mahindra Finance said, “We are excited to welcome Anthony Heredia to the Mahindra Manulife with his extensive experience in the fund management industry. Mahindra Manulife Mutual Fund will look forward to capitalising on his experience and leadership to explore newer and more attractive opportunities. I would also like to place on record the enormous contribution made by Ashutosh during his stint and in helping us expand our presence across Tier 2&3 cities across India”.

Gianni Fiacco, Head of Emerging Markets, Wealth and Asset Management, Manulife Investment Management mentioned, “From the establishment of the joint venture, Ashutosh has done exceedingly well to bring the best of Mahindra and Manulife together, building a strong team and sowing the seeds for our continued growth. We wish him all the best and continued success. We are extremely pleased to have Anthony join us and with the depth of experience he brings, leads Mahindra Manulife to new heights”.

Rentokil Initial Promotes Mark Gillespie As Managing Director Asia

Rentokil Initial has named Mark Gillespie, currently Managing Director, Rest of World region, will succeed Paul Cochrane as the new Managing Director, Asia & MENAT region. Paul will retire at the end of March 2022, after serving Rentokil Initial for more than three decades. 

With over 18 years of experience at Rentokil Initial, Mark has built and developed several high performing teams, leading the execution of key regional growth strategies for the business. Based in Singapore, Mark will be responsible for sales and business operations, as well as driving the strategic growth across Asia and the Middle East, North Africa & Turkey (MENAT).

Speaking on his new role, Mark Gillespie said, “The last two years, though challenging, have seen Rentokil Initial delivering our purpose of protecting people and enhancing lives through high-quality pest control and hygiene services. Asia and MENAT are amongst the most important regions for Rentokil Initial, and I am pleased to be taking on this responsibility from Paul, with an endeavor to carry forward the legacy of a high degree of efficiency of service to our customers in the region. As the industry leader, Rentokil Initial has been continuously developing new technologies that are environment-friendly and sustainable, thereby improving the hygiene solution standard within the industry and I am excited to work with the Asia team to unlock new growth opportunities for Rentokil Initial in Asia.”

Asia has been a vital growth market for Rentokil Initial, and the company’s continued success in the region is a testament to the increasing market demand for pest control and hygiene services as well as the competencies of the dedicated leadership team and employees. In 2021, the ongoing Revenue in Asia rose by 5.0% to £254.0m (4.7% organic) consistent with an increasing demand for pest control and hygiene services in the region.

Rentokil Initial provides the highest standard of pest control and hygiene services across Asia & MENAT. In Asia, business operations cover Brunei, China, Hong Kong, India, (through a Joint Venture with PCI), Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.

In all its markets, Rentokil Initial is focused on utilising its resources efficiently, thereby reducing the impact on the environment, including minimising greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption, water use, and waste generation.

Yahoo Promotes John McNerney And Dan Richardson To APAC Leadership Roles

Yahoo's latest leadership update sees promotions for John McNerney to Senior Director of Platforms for APAC and Dan Richardson to Head of Data for APAC.

In his previous role, McNerney was Director of Platforms, Australia and New Zealand (ANZ). As part of his expanded remit, he will oversee the commercial and technology strategy underpinning Yahoo’s ad platforms and unified ad tech stack, and grow Yahoo’s omnichannel capabilities across flourishing channels like CTV and DOOH across the region. APAC has been a key growth driver for Yahoo’s advertising business globally. Under McNerney’s leadership, Yahoo will build on the growth and demand for its ad tech solutions in the region.

Richardson was previously Head of Data for ANZ. In his expanded role, Dan will lead Yahoo’s data solutions and commercial strategy for APAC. Richardson’s responsibilities will include developing omnichannel partnerships, audience insights, segmentation, testing and implementation strategies for APAC. His larger mandate will be to strengthen Yahoo’s market-leading data proposition in the region, especially relevant as advertisers look to connect the dots in a cookie-less world.

“These leadership changes will position us to capitalise on rising opportunities as we drive the next chapter of growth in APAC. Richardson and McNerney have a proven track record in their respective domains. Their leadership, expertise, and experience will be invaluable for our evolution, as we double down on driving value for partners and customers in the region,” said Paul Sigaloff, Vice President, Head of APAC, Yahoo.