MAM
CNBC launches second edition of Asia Business Leader Awards
Business and financial channel CNBC in association with TNT, has invited entries for the second annual Asia Business Leader Awards 2002. The awards recognise achievement, innovation and leadership in regional business.
Global business school INSEAD will lead the judging panel. The selection methodology will focus on measuring the effectiveness and leadership impact a leader has on a company, says an official release.
The selection process will be spread over two phases. While the first phase concentrates on measurable criteria – the leadership effectiveness, and will be completed between 3 June and 12 July, INSEAD will shortlist candidates eligible for the second phase.
This phase concentrates on leadership impact. Objectivity will be the prime focus in evaluation. This phase of activity lasting a month, starts 22 July. The results of the second phase will generate the finalists, which will be forwarded to the judging panel, headed by Dr Schutte. The awards are sponsored by The Citigroup Private Bank and supported by host sponsor Invest Hong Kong.
Says INSEAD’s associate dean for executive education Asia Prof Schutte: “Judging will be determined based on leadership qualities, impact of leadership on the environment, and the performance of the company. All data will be compiled and processed by INSEAD with focus on the qualitative and quantitative aspects of leadership. Effective leadership, defined as achieving growth even under difficult circumstances, will be highly valued by the panel, especially in international markets.”
Entries are available on (852) 2331-4684 or (65) 6326-1796 or by writing to abla2002@insead.edu for an entry kit. For details visit www.cnbcasia.com/abla2002.
Brands
Abhinav Rastogi named global marketing director for YouTube Shopping
Google veteran to scale creator commerce and expand shopping across global markets
SINGAPORE: Abhinav Rastogi has stepped into a new role as global marketing director for YouTube Shopping, marking the latest chapter in a more than decade-long career at Google.
Rastogi, who took on the position in February and is based in Singapore, will lead global marketing for YouTube Shopping, a platform designed to connect creators, viewers and merchants in a single ecosystem. His remit includes expanding the service into new markets and strengthening its positioning as a growth channel for both creators and brands.
In a reflective note on the transition, Rastogi pointed to a simple but powerful idea driving the role. For years, creators have quietly built trust with audiences through consistent and authentic content, and that trust often shapes purchasing decisions. What is changing now, he said, is the infrastructure around that behaviour. YouTube Shopping aims to make it easier for viewers to discover and buy products recommended by creators they already follow.
The scale is already significant. More than half a million creators have joined the programme, with recent expansion into Japan through a partnership with Rakuten signalling further global ambitions.
Rastogi believes the future of shopping on YouTube will be driven by a blend of creators, content and communities. In his view, it is the human voice behind the screen, not just the product, that ultimately builds trust and drives discovery.
Prior to this role, he served as director of marketing, YouTube Asia Pacific, where he led regional marketing across creator engagement, brand building and reputation. During that time, he played a key role in launching and scaling YouTube Shopping across eight markets in the region.
Earlier stints at Google include group product marketing manager, consumer apps, overseeing growth for products such as Search, Maps and Assistant across India and Southeast Asia, and product marketing manager roles spanning consumer apps and YouTube, where he contributed to launches including YouTube Music, YouTube Originals and YouTube Shorts.
Rastogi began his career in consulting with Boston Consulting Group and A.T. Kearney, before moving into the technology sector. He is an alumnus of Indian Institute of Management Calcutta and Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur.
Alongside his corporate role, he is also an active angel investor, backing early-stage startups in consumer technology and electric mobility across India and Southeast Asia.
As he settles into the new role, Rastogi is betting on a future where every video can double up as a storefront, and where commerce feels less like a transaction and more like a recommendation from a trusted voice.
