MAM
John Muszynski is the new CEO for Starcom US
MUMBAI: Starcom MediaVest Group (SMG) CEO Renetta McCann announced the appointment of John Muszynski as Starcom USA CEO with immediate effect. Until recently the position was held by McCann himself.
According to McCann, “John is someone who is constantly looking ahead to meet the opportunities and challenges of the future. He has the tenacity and the authority to embrace change, and was the clear choice to lead one of the most innovative and admired agencies in the media business.”
An organisational veteran, Muszynski started with the company in 1981 right out of university. Until 1990, Muszynski worked within the planning or strategy discipline before joining the agency’s broadcast investment group (BIG) where in 1999 he held the position of chief broadcast investment officer.
During his tenure as Starcom’s top investment expert, he helped SMG launch the broadband upfront market. He was a founding member of Starcom’s Video Investment Group (VIG), a team of media-neutral experts who explore the full spectrum of visual options when mapping out client plans. In April 2004, Muszynski was appointed Starcom’s managing director, investment and operations and was reporting to McCann.
“Anyone that knows me knows that I thrive on competition. With Starcom already one of the undisputed leaders in our industry, the competition hasn’t lessened. In fact, the competition has only increased because we are competing to outdo ourselves. On my watch, Starcom will continue to embrace change and the policies that made it successful, while remaining an incubator of industry-shaping ideas and the home for people that make that type of thinking happen,” said Muszynski.
Rounding out the Starcom USA management team is Steven Feuling, chief marketing officer as well as group client leaders Chris Boothe, Kathy Ring, Andrew Swinand and Elizabeth Herbst-Brady. Herbst-Brady joined the company in September 2004 from NBC Universal as Muszynski’s successor leading Starcom’s BIG.
A noted leader in the media industry, Muszynski has won numerous industry honors including AdAge’s Media Maven, TVWeek’s Buyer of the Year, Mediaweek All-Star, and a Kidscreen Golden Marble Award for Best Media Director, as well as client accolades. Most recently, he helped Starcom win the Best Buy Bravo Award for its business partner delivering the highest level of quality performance.
Brands
KKR sixes to power EV charger rollout under VIDA campaign
Cricket meets clean mobility as big hits spark India’s charging growth
NEW DELHI: VIDA, the electric mobility arm of Hero MotoCorp, has teamed up with Kolkata Knight Riders to launch a campaign that turns cricketing flair into real-world impact.
Titled ‘6 for 6’, the initiative promises to install a 6kW fast EV charger for every six hit by KKR during the ongoing Indian Premier League season. The idea is simple but powerful, as each big hit on the field contributes directly to expanding India’s fast-charging infrastructure.
The campaign builds on VIDA’s growing network, which already spans over 5,300 fast-charging points across more than 430 cities. With EV adoption gaining pace, the brand is using cricket’s mass appeal to accelerate both awareness and infrastructure growth.
Explaining the thinking behind the move, Hero MotoCorp emerging mobility business unit chief business officer Kausalya Nandakumar said, “Cricket has an incredible ability to unite and inspire millions across the country. With the ‘6 for 6’ campaign, we are turning every big hit on the field into a step towards a cleaner and a more accessible mobility future.”
She added that VIDA’s expanding fast-charging network and removable battery technology are designed to make EV ownership more convenient and practical for everyday users.
From the franchise’s side, the campaign is also about giving on-field moments a larger purpose. Kolkata Knight Riders chief executive officer Venky Mysore said, “The ‘6 for 6’ campaign exemplifies the potential of sport as a platform for meaningful, real-world impact. By linking every six to the expansion of EV charging infrastructure, this partnership transforms fan excitement into tangible progress.”
As part of the rollout, VIDA has introduced co-branded charging stations in KKR’s signature colours, with a flagship installation unveiled alongside team players. The chargers are designed for quick top-ups, powering VIDA scooters from zero to 80 percent in about an hour, while also being positioned along key highways to support longer journeys.
The initiative also taps into VIDA’s removable battery system, which allows users to charge using standard household plug points, adding flexibility to the charging ecosystem.
By blending the thrill of cricket with the urgency of clean mobility, VIDA and KKR have found a neat way to make every six count twice, once on the scoreboard and again on India’s road to an electric future.
