MAM
Socioclout brings in Jayanth Kumar as managing partner to boost digital dominance
MUMBAI: In a move that feels more like a plot twist than a press release, Socioclout has turned up the heat in India’s influencer marketing game. On 21 April, the integrated media agency named Jayanth Kumar—aka JK—as its new managing partner, signalling its next big growth sprint in the chaotic, meme-fuelled world of digital advertising.
Known for its swagger in producing brand DVCs and pairing them with creator mojo, Socioclout is doubling down. And it’s bringing in heavyweight muscle to do it. JK, formerly senior director at DoubleVerify, knows a thing or ten about digital media measurement, market expansion, and making data dance. At DV, he helped carve out a solid India presence. Now, he’s bringing his know-how and digital war stories to Socioclout’s corner.
“I am incredibly excited to embark on this entrepreneurial journey with Socioclout. The influencer marketing landscape in India is brimming with potential, and Socioclout is uniquely positioned to capitalise on this growth. I am impressed by Bitesh’s vision and the agency’s track record of delivering exceptional campaigns. I look forward to working closely with the team to drive innovation, expand our service offerings, and further elevate Socioclout’s position as a market leader,” said Kumar.
Founded by Bitesh Singh, the agency has built an enviable portfolio. With over 100 exclusive creators and more than 10,000 campaigns under its belt, Socioclout’s strategy mixes creator relatability with DVC polish—an approach that’s clicked with global and local brands alike.
“We are thrilled to welcome JK to Socioclout. His extensive experience in the digital advertising industry, combined with his strategic insights, will be instrumental in accelerating our growth and expanding our footprint. We are confident that his leadership will enable us to deliver even greater value to our clients and further solidify our position as a leading integrated media agency,” said Singh.
The firm’s CRO Abhilash Singh added, “We are delighted to have Jayanth Kumar join us as managing partner. His proven track record in scaling businesses and deep understanding of the digital landscape will be a tremendous asset to our revenue growth objectives. We believe his strategic vision will perfectly complement our existing strengths and help us unlock new opportunities in the market.”
Socioclout’s charm lies in its hybrid formula—influencer-led storytelling meets high-production-value brand films. Toss in data-backed insights and a pricing model that doesn’t set off CFO alarms, and you’ve got a cocktail clients can’t resist.
With JK in the driver’s seat, the agency is gearing up to scale operations, broaden offerings, and ride the next wave of India’s digital boom.
Brands
UpGrad to acquire Unacademy in share-swap deal, founders confirm
Proposed share-swap could unite two edtech rivals as sector eyes consolidation
MUMBAI: The Indian edtech sector may be inching toward another wave of consolidation, with online learning platform upGrad signing a term sheet to acquire rival Unacademy in an all stock transaction.
If completed, the deal would bring together two of the country’s most prominent education technology companies at a time when the sector is adjusting to slower demand and a sharper focus on profitability after the pandemic driven boom.
UpGrad founder and chairperson Ronnie Screwvala confirmed the development in a post on X, stating that Unacademy co-founder and chief executive Gaurav Munjal would continue to lead the company following the acquisition.
“We at upGrad have signed a term sheet to acquire Unacademy in an all stock deal, with founder and ceo Gaurav Munjal staying on to build Unacademy and focus on what it does best, creating online education products that learners love,” Screwvala wrote.
He added that the agreement includes a break fee provision if the transaction fails to close. Screwvala also said the combined entity could strengthen upGrad’s integrated learning model spanning K12 education, professional training and lifelong learning.
Unacademy confirmed that the proposed transaction will be executed through a 100 per cent share swap, with the valuation to be disclosed only after the deal closes and regulatory filings are completed.
Announcing the development on X, Munjal described the agreement as the beginning of a new chapter for both companies and the wider edtech ecosystem.
He noted that Unacademy had spent the past year reshaping its operations to focus more sharply on online education products. Among the steps taken were consolidating company operated offline centres with franchise partners and launching a Rs 50 crore employee stock ownership plan buyback, in which around 40 per cent of former employees have already participated.
Munjal also highlighted the traction gained by Airlearn, the company’s language learning product, which he said is expanding in markets including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and Canada.
“Our cash reserves as of today are more than $100 million,” he said.
The proposed deal also marks a turnaround from earlier talks between the two companies that had stalled over disagreements on valuation and structure. Previous discussions had placed Unacademy’s valuation in the range of $300 million to $400 million, according to media reports.
If the transaction goes through, Munjal will continue as co-founder and chief executive of Unacademy, focusing on building online learning products for students in India and global markets.
For upGrad, the acquisition would broaden its footprint across the education spectrum, from school level learning to professional upskilling and lifelong education.
The move comes as India’s edtech sector enters a more sober phase after years of rapid expansion. Companies across the industry have been trimming costs, restructuring operations and seeking scale to build more sustainable businesses.
Against that backdrop, the potential combination of upGrad and Unacademy could signal that the next phase of edtech growth may be driven less by blitzscaling and more by strategic partnerships and consolidation.
