Brands
Cognizant runs the extra mile as title sponsor of New Delhi Marathon 2026
NEW DELHI: Talk about fast networking! Cognizant has signed on as the title sponsor of the New Delhi Marathon 2026, set to hit the capital’s streets on 22 February 2026.
Now rechristened the Cognizant New Delhi Marathon, the event marks a milestone partnership between one of the world’s most respected tech companies and one of Asia’s premier long-distance races.
Celebrating its eleventh edition, the marathon has become more than just a race, it’s a national ritual of endurance, unity, and pure adrenaline. Every year, over 30,000 runners, from elite athletes to spirited amateurs , lace up for the challenge, joined by corporate teams, defence personnel, and fitness enthusiasts from across the globe.
Cognizant India president – global operations and chairman & managing director Rajesh Varrier said, “We’re thrilled to become the title sponsor of the New Delhi Marathon from 2026. Marathons transcend boundaries and cultures, they celebrate the indomitable human spirit.”
Globally, Cognizant’s sports portfolio spans golf, racing, and cricket, symbolising its belief in the energy, diversity, and social impact of sport.
Neb Sports CMD Nagaraj Adiga added, “Cognizant’s partnership adds immense strength and credibility as we continue to inspire a culture of fitness and social responsibility.”
The Cognizant New Delhi Marathon 2026 will feature four race categories: Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k, and 5k, welcoming participants of all ages and fitness levels. True to its community spirit, the event will continue to support NGOs and social causes, ensuring its impact stretches well beyond the finish line.
A certified Aims (Association of International Marathons and Distance Races) event, the race promises world-class accuracy, safety, and organisation. The scenic route will take runners past Delhi’s most iconic landmarks: India Gate, Rajpath, and Rashtrapati Bhavan, offering a breathtaking blend of heritage and endurance.
With Asics as official sports goods partner and Volini as recovery partner, the 2026 edition is all set to deliver a marathon experience that’s equal parts sweat, spirit, and spectacle.
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.
