MAM
Shaadi.com, UAE exchange center form strategic alliance
MUMBAI: In a unique tie-up, Shaadi.com and UAE Exchange Center LLC, the leaders in money transfer services in the region have signed a strategic agreement to work together to cater to the varied needs of the expatriates in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, particularly the South Asian community.
Under this exclusive agreement, Shaadi.com customers will now be able to make payments for their premium memberships on www.shaadi.com at any of the UAE exchange center branches in the UAE. Both the partners have set in motion a roll-out plan to extend this service across the GCC, India and other parts of the world where UAE Exchange Centers are present over a short time – frame.
“It has always been our intention to serve and help the expatriate community in different areas. We also acknowledge their financial ties and emotional bonds with their homeland. Our partnership with the world’s largest matrimonial service provider, shaadi.com is just a reflection of our social commitment that we have proudly cherished for the past 25 years,” said UAE Exchange Center LLC general manager Y Sudhir Kumar Shetty.
On signing the MoU, Shaadi.com country manager – Middle East and Africa Vinesh Venugopal Nair said, “Our base of customers in the UAE has grown phenomenally over the last year and most of these members understand the benefits of our Premium Membership programs. UAE Exchange is a household name in the Middle East, India and some other parts of the world and stands for a very high standard of dependability that we fully recognize and acknowledge. We believe that there is no better partner in this region than the UAE Exchange to facilitate the easiest and most secure payment process for our Premium Membership programs.”
In addition to this service, the two companies plan to jointly offer a variety of benefits for their customers. “We have formulated a plan to put in place some interesting value added services that we will jointly offer our customers in the future,” said Shetty.
“The UAE Exchange Center LLC is part of one of the most respectable corporate groups in the Middle East with a variety of consumer driven businesses. We have explored and inked some proposals for some very innovative and interesting services for our customers. This alliance with the UAE Exchange will be an integral part of our expansion plans for this market,” informed Nair.
MAM
Kartik Vishwanathan returns to WPP Media as VP – investments
14-year Mindshare veteran takes special assignment role from February 2026.
MUMBAI: Kartik Vishwanathan has made a sharp return on investment rejoining WPP Media, the very organisation that shaped a big chunk of his professional journey. The seasoned media executive has been appointed vice president for investments (Special Assignment) at WPP Media, effective February 2026. He will contribute to both regional and global priorities in this strategic mandate.
With over 14 years and 7 months at Mindshare, Vishwanathan brings deep expertise across investment strategy, strategic initiatives, and integration. His most recent role was Head of Investment Strategy – Mindshare China (Dec 2019–Oct 2023) in Shanghai, following his stint as Head – Strategic Initiatives and Integration – Mindshare India (Jun 2018–Nov 2019). Earlier, he served as Principal Partner at The Exchange in Mumbai (Jan 2016–Jun 2018).
Before Mindshare, he held short-term roles as Process Manager – Pricing Analytics at eClerx and Project Manager at Fractal Analytics in Mumbai.
Vishwanathan holds an Executive Programme in Business Management from Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (May 2007–Apr 2008) and a Post Graduate Certification in Advertising and Public Relations from MICA (2011–2012).
His return to WPP comes at a time when the media investment landscape is evolving rapidly, with brands demanding sharper, more integrated strategies across platforms. For someone who cut his teeth at the agency group years ago, this homecoming feels less like a new chapter and more like picking up a well-worn, high-return playbook.
