MAM
Bangalore Ad Club splits Big Bang Awards into two events
BENGALURU: The Advertising Club of Bangalore has decided to split its flagship event – The Big Bang Awards into two parts to ‘bring more focus and enable key takeaways for the fraternity at large’ according to a press release quoting Bangalore Ad Club President and co-founder & director of Origami Creative and Bloombox Brand Engineers Laeeq Ali.
“This year we re-examined all the award categories to give the communication for specialised verticals like automotive, realty, consumer goods, social impact, their due. Digital communication is a part of every category. We have also rationalised the number of categories based on market trends. We have expert judges from all over the country and abroad and are very proud of the fact that for the last 7 years our entire process from entry submission to judging is online ensuring a fair, impartial process,” said Big Bang Awards committee chairperson and Saatchi & Saatchi Focus CEO Malavika Harita through the release.
Part I or the Creative awards part will be held on 20 September 2019 while Part II or the Media and Wellness part will be held on 20 November 2019. Both the events will be held in Bangalore. Online acceptance of entries opened on 26 July and closes at Mid-night on 15 August 2019.
MAM
Ameya Velankar steps down as Uber’s head of marketing for India & South Asia
Veteran marketer exits after more than seven years with the ride-hailing giant.
MUMBAI: After more than seven years of steering Uber through the bumpy roads of India’s mobility market, Ameya Velankar has decided to change lanes. Ameya Velankar has stepped down as Head of Marketing for India and South Asia, marking the end of a significant chapter at the ride-hailing company. He had been with Uber since 2019, taking on multiple roles in product and category marketing before rising to lead the marketing function for the region in 2021.
During his tenure, Velankar played a key role in strengthening Uber’s positioning in one of its most competitive and dynamic markets. He helped drive localised marketing strategies and scale adoption across key offerings such as Auto, Moto, Rentals and Intercity, tailoring global platforms to Indian consumer needs.
Prior to joining Uber, Velankar built his marketing expertise at leading consumer companies including SC Johnson and Marico, where he handled category and product leadership roles. His career began at RPG Enterprises.
Details of his next professional move have not been disclosed.
In a fast-evolving mobility landscape where brands constantly battle for attention, Ameya Velankar helped Uber stay relevant and resonant with millions of Indian users. As he moves on from the driver’s seat of marketing, the company will now look for fresh ideas to keep its wheels turning smoothly.
