Brands
Xylys keeps time with youth as Abhishek Sharma ticks in as ambassador
MUMBAI: Time, it seems, has found a new opening partner. Premium watch brand Xylys has signed Indian cricketer Abhishek Sharma as its brand ambassador, sharpening its pitch to a younger generation that values precision, pace and contemporary style in equal measure.
Marketed and retailed by Titan Company Ltd., Xylys occupies a niche where Swiss watchmaking meets international urban flair. The range includes Swiss-made and Swiss-movement timepieces, built with 316L surgical-grade stainless steel cases, sapphire crystal glass for scratch resistance, strong water protection and clean, confident finishes. The design language is bold but uncluttered, aimed at people who like their accessories to work as hard as they do.
Abhishek Sharma fits neatly into that frame. One of Indian cricket’s most watchable young talents, he is known for his fearless strokeplay, discipline and clarity of intent on the field. Off it, his sharp, modern style mirrors Xylys’ philosophy of precision paired with personality. The association signals a brand keen to stay in step with ambition, momentum and movement.
Commenting on the partnership, Titan Premium Watches CSMO Kalpana Rangamani said the choice was instinctive, noting that Xylys is designed for individuals who are confident, intentional and exacting about quality, traits that Sharma brings naturally through both sport and style.
Sharma, in turn, said the brand resonated with him because precision and consistency are non-negotiable in professional sport. He described Xylys as a balance of Swiss craftsmanship and modern design, aligning with how he approaches both cricket and personal expression.
With this appointment, Xylys is not just telling time, it is timing its move carefully, positioning Swiss precision firmly within the rhythm of modern Indian ambition.
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.
