MAM
Actimedia’s Trupti Vasudev joins Travel Lifestyle Network board in global first
MUMBAI: Actimedia PR & Digital’s chief executive, Trupti Vasudev, has been appointed to the global board of the Travel Lifestyle Network (TLN), making her the first-ever representative from India to hold the role. She will represent the Asia-Pacific region, spanning India, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Australia, GCC, Indonesia and Japan.
The appointment comes as TLN – a coalition of 25 top-tier independent communications agencies – celebrates its 20th anniversary with an expanded mandate and a more globally integrated structure. Known for steering campaigns across luxury travel, hospitality, airlines, wellness and lifestyle, TLN is sharpening its focus on consumer storytelling and cross-border collaboration.
“The Travel Lifestyle Network is a prime example of the power of collaboration – both for the participating agencies and clients who choose to work with a TLN agency. Specialist agencies are offering agility and deeply localised solutions for lifestyle brands and travel tourism brands with the professionalism of a global network, and as such are offering up a stiff competition to international conglomerates. The APAC region represents one of the world’s most dynamic consumer markets and offers unparalleled opportunities across lifestyle, travel, and luxury segments. I’m excited to leverage the network to create greater opportunities for each of the members and also to expand TLN further into other Asia Pacific markets” said Vasudev.
Also joining the new-look board is David Zapata, founder of US-based Zapwater Communications, who steps in as executive chair. He’s joined by Marilyne Levesque of Marelle Communications representing the Americas, and Virginie Le Norgant of GroupExpression for Europe. TLN founder Hanna Kleber continues as honorary chair.
“Our agencies represent a remarkable group of entrepreneurial and innovative leaders deeply embedded in their local markets. Moving forward, we will place greater emphasis on new offerings, services and industries – all while maintaining the high standards of excellence that have defined TLN for two decades,” said Zapata.
For Vasudev and Actimedia – TLN’s exclusive Indian agency partner – the move marks a bigger role in shaping global strategy in one of the most competitive segments of PR: lifestyle, hospitality and tourism.
TLN’s message is clear: 20 years in, the network isn’t slowing down – it’s going global with more force than ever.
Brands
CoinDCX co-founders held in Thane over Rs 71 lakh fraud case
Firm calls FIR false, claims impersonation scam as probe unfolds
THANE: The Thane Police have arrested Sumit Gupta and Neeraj Khandelwal, co-founders of CoinDCX, on charges of criminal breach of trust linked to an alleged Rs 71.6 lakh fraud.
The duo were picked up from Bengaluru and produced before a holiday court in Thane, which remanded them to police custody until Monday.
At the centre of the case is a complaint by an insurance advisor from Mumbra, who claims he was drawn in by promises of high returns and regulatory backing tied to cryptocurrency investments and franchise opportunities. The alleged scheme ran between August 2025 and February 2026, with funds collected through both cash and bank transfers. The promised franchise never materialised, nor did the returns, and the accused allegedly became untraceable.
Police have registered an FIR against six individuals under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and launched a broader investigation.
CoinDCX, however, has pushed back sharply. In a statement posted on X, the company described the FIR as “false” and part of a wider impersonation scam, claiming fraudsters had been posing as its founders to dupe unsuspecting investors.
“The entire conspiracy falsely claims that funds were transferred in cash to third-party accounts which have no relation to CoinDCX,” the company said, distancing itself from the alleged transactions.
The firm added that brand impersonation scams are on the rise in India’s digital finance ecosystem. It noted that it had flagged over 1,200 fake websites mimicking its platform between April 2024 and January 2026.
For now, the case sits at a familiar crossroads in India’s crypto story, where ambition, opacity and opportunism often collide, leaving investigators to untangle what is real and what merely looks the part.
