MAM
Assembly Global appoints Vivekanand Kini as regional director APAC
MUMBAI: From Yahoo to Hungama, from HP to Akzonobel and now, the Assembly hall. Vivekanand Kini has joined Assembly Global as regional director for client experience, a move that marks the next chapter in a 15-year-plus career spent shaping digital journeys for some of the world’s biggest brands.
Kini, who steps into the role this September, brings 18 years of experience across digital marketing, e-commerce, and client strategy, including 8 plus years in leadership positions. Most recently, he was regional head of digital & e-commerce at Akzonobel (2022–2025), where he spearheaded digital growth across Asia. Before that, he helmed HP’s digital marketing for over six years (2016–2022), leading campaigns and customer experience initiatives out of Gurgaon.
His career foundation was laid at agencies and media firms: Havas Media (2013–2016) as associate director for media, Saatchi & Saatchi (2012–2013) as senior manager for client servicing, and Yahoo (2011) where he drove online media spends in retail. He began his digital journey at Hungama (2010–2011), managing brand solutions for marquee clients such as 7UP, Bacardi, LG, and Maruti Suzuki.
At Assembly Global, Kini will be tasked with deepening client relationships, scaling regional strategies, and ensuring Assembly’s philosophy of Showup, Makechange, and Winwell translates into measurable client success. His portfolio of skills spans Adobe experience manager, marketing mix modelling, conversion optimisation, growth marketing, customer insight, and media trends expertise Assembly hopes will fortify its client-first positioning in Asia.
Kini described the new role as a “perfect fit” for his passion for partnership and impact: “Mobility, technology and customer behaviour are evolving rapidly. This is an opportunity to reimagine client experience at scale, powered by both empathy and innovation.”
For Assembly, a company known for its digital-first, culture-driven marketing approach, Kini’s appointment comes as it doubles down on APAC expansion and builds on its strong momentum with global clients.
Looks like Assembly has found its newest building block and Kini is ready to cement lasting partnerships.
MAM
Catch launches TVC for iodised pink rock salt push
DS Group expands beyond spices with campaign going live April 20
MUMBAI: A pinch of salt just got a personality and a prime-time slot to match. Catch Salt & Spices, part of the Dharampal Satyapal Group, has rolled out its first television campaign for Catch Premium Iodised Pink Rock Salt, signalling a clear step beyond its core spices and sprinklers play. Conceptualised by Dentsu Creative Webchutney, the campaign leans into a product-led narrative, aiming to build awareness in the relatively less-explored salt segment. The film goes live from April 20 across television and digital platforms, including social media and OTT, as the brand seeks scale and visibility.
Set in a neighbourhood play area, the TVC swaps hard selling for a slice-of-life moment. Two mothers chat while their children hover nearby until a young girl takes centre stage, confidently breaking down the origins and benefits of pink rock salt. The message lands softly but clearly: even everyday ingredients now come with a story.
The creative pivot reflects a broader shift in consumer behaviour. Salt, long treated as a commodity, is being reframed as a conscious choice part health cue, part lifestyle signal. By placing a child at the centre of the narrative, the film plays on the idea that awareness is no longer confined to adults; it’s trickling down, reshaping household decisions.
For DS Group, the campaign marks more than a product launch, it’s a category expansion. With Catch already established in spices, the move into salt positions the brand to tap into adjacent kitchen essentials, while reinforcing its long-standing thought that food is more than just fuel.
In a market where differentiation is often hard to sprinkle in, Catch is betting that storytelling and a dash of everyday relatability can do the heavy lifting.
