MAM
Mallikarjundas joins as media director, Rangnekar as account group head Starcom
MUMBAI: The prodigals return. Two executives who’d left Publicis Groupe owned Starcom Worldwide for other opportunities have “returned to the fold.”
CR Mallikarjunadas, currently with Asian Paints as media manager, is coming aboard as media director. Nikhil Rangnekar joins as account group head in the Mumbai office.
That Starcom is on an aggressive head-hunting drive is borne out by the fact that some more executive appointments are expected to be announced soon.
Talking about the new appointments, Ravi Kiran, managing director, Starcom Worldwide, India-West & South, said the fact that people wanted to return to the company was indicative of the heightened value proposition Starcom offered in today’s competitive market.
Mallikarjundas will head one of Starcom’s seven key business units in India and will look after the media portfolio of clients such as Heinz, Sony Columbia Tristar AOR, SPE Films of India AOR and Parle Bisleri. Currently heading the media function at Asian Paints, he has also handled diverse functions that include market research, marketing PR and corporate initiatives. Mallikarjundas is expected to join Starcom next Monday (4 August).
“Malli has been very active in many industry research and technical bodies and he will certainly help us consolidate and grow our strategic planning and research capabilities, working closely with Puneet Arora, our director, research.”
“As part of our brain trust and head of one of our key business units, Malli will play an important role in our new business efforts and will be an active contributor to Starcom’s future in India.”
In his capacity as media director, Mallikarjundas will also oversee at least one agency function, the details of which are expected to be decided shortly.
Rangnekar, meanwhile, will look after the media portfolio of accounts such as the Balsara AOR, the Principal Group, Raymond Apparels and Hitachi Home and Life Solutions amongst others. Rangnekar will report directly to Kiran.
Rangnekar left Starcom in June 2000, to take a break from media and joined his brother in his family business.
Brands
Safex Group appoints Richa Malhotra as group chief financial officer
Former Standard Chartered executive to steer finance
NEW DELHI: Safex Chemicals has appointed Richa Malhotra as group chief financial officer, strengthening its leadership team as the company prepares for the next phase of expansion in specialty chemicals and global agrochemicals.
In her new role, Malhotra will lead the group’s financial strategy, capital architecture and governance framework as Safex scales operations across multiple verticals including branded formulations, specialty chemicals and contract manufacturing.
A chartered accountant and graduate of Shri Ram College of Commerce, University of Delhi, Malhotra brings more than two decades of experience in business finance, strategic planning, corporate banking and client management.
Before joining Safex, she served as executive director, financial markets at Standard Chartered, where she led teams across India and Sri Lanka and worked closely with large corporates, global subsidiaries and commercial banking clients. Her expertise includes capital structuring, treasury operations, risk management and financial markets led financing solutions.
Safex Group promoter director and joint managing director Piyush Jindal, said the appointment comes at a pivotal time for the company. “Safex stands at an inflection point as we build an integrated platform across branded formulations, specialty chemicals and contract manufacturing. Richa’s experience across global financial institutions will strengthen our financial discipline and help unlock value across the group,” he said.
Malhotra said she was looking forward to contributing to the company’s next chapter of growth. “Safex has built a strong reputation over 35 years with its focus on integrity, innovation and agricultural insight. I am excited to be part of the organisation as it expands its footprint in India and global markets,” she said.
The appointment comes as Safex continues to strengthen its financial foundations and scale operations internationally, positioning itself for future growth milestones.
