MAM
Costa Coffee becomes official coffee partner of Olympic Games Paris 2024
Mumbai: Costa Coffee becomes the official coffee partner at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, marking a significant milestone in promoting coffee culture and providing a centre stage to Indian baristas globally. With six kiosks and over 110 self-serve Pacto machines, 130 Costa Coffee team members from six countries will deliver exceptional hot and iced beverage experiences to fans and athletes at seven venues across Paris.
As part of this collaboration, Costa Coffee introduces three exceptional Indian baristas: Ameer Fayiz, Mallika Tripura, and Abhishek Kumar. These talented individuals underwent rigorous training to refine their skills and embody Costa Coffee’s values of teamwork and excellence. The team members will ensure seamless operation of these sites and will host coffee masterclasses designed exclusively for the athletes and spectators. Adding to the Olympics excitement, selected Costa Coffee’s team members will have the incredible opportunity to be a torchbearer at the Olympic games.
Coca-Cola Company’s Costa Coffee general manager, India & emerging international Vinay Nair commented: “We are proud to be the Official Coffee Partner for the Olympic Games Paris 2024. This opportunity not only allows us to showcase the skill and artistry of our Indian baristas on a prestigious international platform, but also underscores our commitment towards our talented team members. By providing them with this extraordinary opportunity, we are investing in their growth, embracing an inclusive culture, and celebrating their dedication to excellence.”
The participation of our Barista’s from India in the Olympic Games Paris 2024 is a transformative journey that will add invaluable experiences and forge meaningful connections.
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.
