ITV News
Paytm takes finance talk to streets for Gudi Padwa
Autorickshaw campaign in Maharashtra sparks open money conversations.
MUMBAI: Paytm just turned an autorickshaw into a rolling money therapist because this Gudi Padwa, the best financial advice didn’t come from a bank, it came from the back seat. Paytm rolled out a unique Gudi Padwa initiative across Maharashtra, transforming everyday streets in Mumbai, Pune and Ahilyanagar into open-air spaces for honest conversations about personal finance, money habits and life aspirations. A custom-designed Gudi Padwa-themed autorickshaw invited commuters to step in, chat freely and reflect on financial goals in a light, non-judgmental setting breaking the cultural taboo around discussing money openly.
Participants across age groups shared personal stories: first-time earners building saving habits, families setting new intentions for the year, gig workers managing cash flow and professionals rethinking long-term plans. The campaign gently highlighted how money quietly shapes daily life and future dreams, encouraging reflection without pressure.
To extend the festive spirit, Paytm gifted participants a specially designed ‘Gudi Bag’ inspired by Ugadi traditions. Each bag included a Paytm QR code, blending cultural symbolism with digital convenience and showing how mobile payments have become part of everyday celebrations.
The on-ground experience aimed to foster greater openness and confidence around money matters, positioning Paytm not just as a payments enabler but as a brand that supports informed financial behaviour and positive change.
In a country where money talk is often whispered, Paytm drove it into the open proving that sometimes the richest conversations start with nothing more than a ride, a chat and a shared Gudi.
ITV News
Maciej Traczyk named commerce director at WPP Media
Seasoned digital leader to drive commerce growth, AI innovation
WARSAW: In a move that signals its continued push into integrated commerce, Maciej Traczyk has been elevated to commerce director at WPP Media, building on a track record of blending data, technology and performance marketing into business growth engines.
Traczyk steps into the role after a high-impact stint as organic and performance director and earlier as organic performance director, where he quietly stitched together cross-channel strategies while keeping a firm grip on P&L. His work went beyond optimisation dashboards, shaping AI-led solutions and search innovations that delivered measurable outcomes for global brands such as L’Oréal, Nestlé, Toyota, Colgate-Palmolive, Garmin and Allianz.
Before his current chapter, Traczyk honed his craft at Wavemaker and MEC Wavemaker, where his career arc reads like a playbook for modern digital leadership. From SEO and content analytics manager to SEO and technology lead, then head of ecommerce, and later head of ecommerce and performance, he consistently expanded both remit and impact. Along the way, he integrated ecommerce, performance and organic search into unified teams, championed marketplace strategies and led large-scale digital transformations.
His portfolio spans an eclectic mix of clients including IKEA, Huawei, Nikon, Henkel and Husqvarna, reflecting both breadth and depth in navigating global and local market dynamics.
Colleagues describe him as a builder of bridges between disciplines, equally at ease with code, content and commerce. From designing the OneSearch collaboration model to rolling out AI-driven tools and training teams, his approach has been as much about culture as capability.
With commerce increasingly becoming the connective tissue of modern marketing, Traczyk’s elevation suggests WPP Media is doubling down on leaders who can turn complexity into clarity and clicks into customers.
