MAM
FCB Kinnect appoints Yogesh Mani Pradhan as group ECD (west)
Mumbai: FCB Kinnect has appointed Yogesh Mani Pradhan as group executive creative director (west) to lead creative work at its Mumbai office. With over two decades of experience at Ogilvy, Yogesh has worked with brands including Castrol, Mondelez, Bajaj Chetak, Adidas, Amazon, ITC Vivel, and Mumbai Indians. His notable campaigns include ‘Truckasana’ for Castrol, ‘Sit Together’ for Cadbury Dairy Milk, ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ for Vogue, and ‘I Will Wear Out Plastic’ for UNEP.
Speaking about the appointment, FCB Kinnect & FCB/SIX India CEO Rohan Mehta said, “I am thrilled to welcome Yogi to the Kinnect family. His extensive experience in advertising and creative work with a wide range of brands will undoubtedly elevate our creative capabilities. Fondly known as the work-dad, he is exactly what our talent needs – someone to mentor them and build them through the rigour of advertising. Together, Yogi and Neville form a dynamic duo – their complementary partnership promises to deliver exceptional work for our clients.”
FCB Kinnect & FCB/SIX India CCO Neville Shah added, “Yogesh brings with him great ideas, invaluable experience, and sage-like calm. Here to uplift the quality and the craft of the Mumbai office, I am super excited to be reunited and working with him.”
FCB Kinnect group executive creative director Yogesh Pradhan said, “I look forward to working with the Mumbai team to cultivate a vibrant creative culture and camaraderie. I’m thrilled to be part of the FCB Kinnect family as it gathers momentum towards becoming a powerhouse integrated creative agency.”
MAM
Ameya Velankar steps down as Uber’s head of marketing for India & South Asia
Veteran marketer exits after more than seven years with the ride-hailing giant.
MUMBAI: After more than seven years of steering Uber through the bumpy roads of India’s mobility market, Ameya Velankar has decided to change lanes. Ameya Velankar has stepped down as Head of Marketing for India and South Asia, marking the end of a significant chapter at the ride-hailing company. He had been with Uber since 2019, taking on multiple roles in product and category marketing before rising to lead the marketing function for the region in 2021.
During his tenure, Velankar played a key role in strengthening Uber’s positioning in one of its most competitive and dynamic markets. He helped drive localised marketing strategies and scale adoption across key offerings such as Auto, Moto, Rentals and Intercity, tailoring global platforms to Indian consumer needs.
Prior to joining Uber, Velankar built his marketing expertise at leading consumer companies including SC Johnson and Marico, where he handled category and product leadership roles. His career began at RPG Enterprises.
Details of his next professional move have not been disclosed.
In a fast-evolving mobility landscape where brands constantly battle for attention, Ameya Velankar helped Uber stay relevant and resonant with millions of Indian users. As he moves on from the driver’s seat of marketing, the company will now look for fresh ideas to keep its wheels turning smoothly.
