MAM
1702 Digital taps Vishal Dhar to lead digital charge
MUMBAI: 1702 Digital is betting on experience to fuel its next growth spurt. The Mumbai-based consultancy, which bills itself as one of India’s fastest-growing full-service digital transformation shops, has appointed Vishal Dhar as vice president of digital—a move designed to muscle up its strategic firepower in an increasingly crowded market.
Dhar will lead digital strategy, performance marketing and innovation initiatives, working alongside the leadership team to sharpen the agency’s integrated offerings. His brief: drive large-scale campaigns that marry data-driven insights with creativity whilst delivering measurable results.
The appointment comes as 1702 Digital pushes to redefine how brands connect with audiences through what it calls a blend of creativity, technology and measurable impact. Translation: no fluff, all outcomes.
“I’m thrilled to join 1702 Digital at a time when the digital space is evolving faster than ever,” said Dhar. “The agency’s bold approach, creative agility and focus on impact-driven results resonate deeply with my own vision. I look forward to contributing to the next phase of 1702’s growth and driving success for our clients.”
1702 Digital co-founder Mihir Joshi welcomed the hire as a strategic upgrade. “Vishal’s experience and strategic mindset will further elevate our digital capabilities and strengthen our position as a leading partner for brands looking to achieve transformative growth through digital innovation.”
Founder & managing director Aanchal Arora doubled down on the sentiment. “His experience and understanding of the evolving digital landscape make him a perfect fit for our next phase of growth. As we continue to expand our digital ecosystem, Vishal’s leadership and strategic insight will play a pivotal role in elevating our capabilities and reinforcing 1702 Digital’s position as a creative powerhouse.”
The hire marks a key milestone in 1702 Digital’s expansion trajectory, signalling ambitions to move beyond fast-growing upstart status into established player territory. Dhar brings extensive experience across marketing, digital transformation and business growth—credentials the agency clearly believes will help it punch above its weight in pitches and delivery.
Whether 1702 Digital’s bet on seasoned leadership translates into the transformative growth its founders promise remains to be seen. But in an industry where digital expertise is currency and results are king, hiring someone who’s driven large-scale campaigns before is a sensible play. Now Dhar just needs to prove he can do it again—this time with 1702’s name on the work.
Brands
Trump announces $300bn Texas oil refinery with Reliance, calls it the biggest in US history
First new US refinery in 50 years planned at Brownsville port with Reliance
WASHINGTON: The United States may soon see the first brand-new oil refinery built on its soil in half a century.
Donald Trump announced a proposed $300 billion refinery project in Texas, calling it a landmark moment for American energy production and jobs.
Posting on Truth Social on 10 March, Trump said the facility would be built at the Port of Brownsville and developed by a company called America First Refining, with major investment from India’s Reliance Industries.
The announcement frames the project as a centrepiece of the administration’s push for “energy dominance”, with Trump claiming it would deliver thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in economic activity to South Texas.
If realised, the plant would mark the first all-new major refinery constructed in the United States since the 1970s. In recent decades, oil companies have largely chosen to expand existing facilities rather than build new ones, citing high costs, regulatory hurdles and environmental scrutiny.
Trump described the proposed investment as the “biggest in US history”, positioning it as proof that policy changes such as streamlined permits and lower taxes are drawing large-scale energy investments back into the country.
The refinery is planned for the Port of Brownsville, a strategic Gulf Coast location that provides easy access to shipping routes and export markets.
A key partner in the project is Reliance Industries, controlled by billionaire industrialist Mukesh Ambani. The company already runs the world’s largest refining complex in Jamnagar, India, making it one of the most experienced operators in large-scale petroleum processing.
The Texas venture would mark a significant step for the group into America’s domestic refining sector, potentially strengthening industrial ties between the US and India.
The proposed refinery is being promoted as a next-generation facility capable of processing American shale oil while maintaining high environmental standards. Trump said it would be “the cleanest refinery in the world”, although the specific technologies behind that claim have not yet been detailed.
Industry observers also note that the $300 billion figure is unusually large for a refinery project, and analysts are waiting for more clarity on whether the number reflects total construction costs, long-term infrastructure investment, or broader economic impact estimates.
As of 11 March, Reliance Industries had not publicly confirmed the investment size or the structure of its involvement.
For now, the announcement has sparked equal parts excitement and curiosity in energy markets. If the plan moves from promise to pouring concrete, the refinery could reshape the Gulf Coast energy landscape, and reopen a chapter in American refining that has been quiet for nearly fifty years.
