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Starcom India restructure sees Ravi Kiran becoming MD, west, south
MUMBAI: In a major development, Starcom Mediavest group, has announced a major restructuring of its India operations Starcom India. With immediate effect, Starcom India will operate as Starcom North and Starcom West/South.
The media dependent sent out a release today announcing the appointment Ravi Kiran, previously general manager as managing director, Starcom West/South. He will continue to be based in Mumbai and will also oversee the Bangalore operations.
The release adds that Starcom is close to finalizing a candidate for the role of managing director, north who will be based in Delhi. An announcement on this will follow shortly.
Says SMG South East Asia/India CEO D. Sriram: “The restructuring is consistent with Starcom’s strategy in the Asia Pacific region in recent times where the Asia Pacific region has been divided into North East Asia and South East Asia/India for greater focus, and builds on our successful experience in restructuring the Starcom China operation into Starcom North China and Starcom South China respectively.”
The release has regretted the the departure of managing director Andrey Purushottam, who is leaving to pursue other interests after nearly two years at the agency.
It adds that Andrey turned Starcom around financially in 2002 by adding significant new business and simultaneously restructuring the operations. Some of the new business gains include the Sony group AOR (Sony Electronics, Sony Pictures and Sony Movies), Dr. Morepen, Essar Lotteries, IDBI Principal, LVMH Watches, Benetton etc. He also established a strong and viable presence for Starcom in Delhi, a key market.
“Andrey’s vision and leadership have driven a period of tremendous momentum for Starcom and built a strong foundation for the future,” says Sriram.
The restructuring has also resulted in Starcom general manager Dr Ravi Moorthy moving to head Starcom South China (to be based in Guangzhou). Dr Moorthy has been with Starcom India for almost three years, during which time he has made significant contributions in the strategic planning and research area.
“His move to Starcom China is a fitting recognition of his world-class talent and is testimony to Starcom’s commitment to developing our people and giving them opportunities for growth within the network,” the release states.
The release points out that Ravi Kiran has been a key member of the senior management team at Starcom India for more than four years and is well placed to capitalize on the momentum Starcom has built in recent times. Ravi has 13 years experience in the advertising industry, covering both account management and media at Lintas, Initiative Media and Starcom. Ravi, an MBA from FMS Delhi, has experience in Delhi as well as Mumbai.
The new structure is a key step towards powering Starcom’s future growth in the country, the release states..
The Publicis Groupe owned Starcom MediaVest Group is one of the Top three media holding groups in the world. Ever since the agency started operating in India under the Starcom name in January 2001, it has crossed several landmarks in business growth and launch of new products.
Starcom India created history in January 2001, when Procter & Gamble (P&G), one of Starcom’s largest global clients consolidated its strategic communication planning for all its brands in India with the agency. Until then P&G had not separated strategic planning from the creative services in any other country.
Since then the media specialist has added a host of media-only accounts to its list of clients at regular intervals ICICI, Bayer Consumer Products, Balsara Hygiene, Acer India, Dr. Morepen, Sun Microsystems, LVMH Watches and Jewelry, Essar Group’s online lottery venture, Sony India, Sony Pictures and Sony Music.
Other prominent Starcom India Clients are Fiat, Heinz, Parle Bisleri, Raymond Apparels, Toyota, Amtrex Hitachi, VVF, IDBI Principal and Western Union Financial Services. The current media volume handled by Starcom India is to the tune of Rs 400 crore (Rs 4 billion).
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
