MAM
Anita Nayyar elevated as CEO of Havas Media Southeast Asia
MUMBAI: Havas Group has promoted Anita Nayyar as CEO of Havas Media Southeast Asia on the back of an accelerated growth strategy in the region.
This is in addition to her role as CEO of Havas Media India.
In this newly created role, Nayyar’s expertise will enable brands in India to expand their footprint to SEA and facilitate cross fertilisation of clients.
She will work closely with regional and local leadership in SEA to drive new business and local client strategy with a sharpened focus on driving growth leveraging Havas Group’s integrated abilities.
Nayyar will report to Vishnu Mohan, Chairman & CEO of Havas Group, India and Southeast Asia. The appointment is effective immediately.
Nayyar joined Havas in 2007 as CEO of Havas Media India. Under her leadership, Havas Media in India has grown exponentially and expanded its offerings as an integrated communications group encompassing traditional, digital, mobile, performance marketing and out-of-home, among others. Her 30+years in the industry has seen her passionately manage a mega portfolio of brands across sectors.
Speaking on her appointment, Mohan says, “The Southeast Asia region has enjoyed remarkable economic progress in recent years, especially the ASEAN countries capitalising on urbanisation, and technology. There is a tremendous opportunity for brands in India to tap into the region’s growth story and Anita’s experience is an asset that will help us move ahead in that direction. Anita’s determination and passion is a testament to Havas Group India’s success and growth over the years and I am confident that her elevation will enhance the value-proposition of our established SEA media operations.”
Commenting on her promotion, Nayyar mentions, “The ASEAN markets and the overall SEA region is a pivotal market of the future for brands across a range of verticals and the possibilities for growth are endless. As Havas Group continues to build on its integrated model and new organisational structure, I’m excited to take on the new challenge and reinforce our commitment to creative excellence and smart media accountability to create new opportunities to boost Havas Media SEA’s growth and momentum.”
Brands
Faber-Castell India appoints Sunaina Haldar as director – marketing
With stints at Tata, SleepyCat and ADF Foods under her belt, Haldar is primed to redraw Faber-Castell’s brand story
MUMBAI: Faber-Castell India has poached Sunaina Haldar from ADF Foods, appointing her director – marketing as the German stationery brand looks to muscle up in a category that is rapidly reinventing itself around creativity and self-expression.
Haldar hit the ground running. “My first couple of weeks have been incredibly energising, understanding consumers, visiting markets, engaging with retailers and immersing myself into the world of Faber-Castell Group,” she said.
She arrives with considerable firepower. At ADF Foods, Haldar ran marketing across India and international markets for a portfolio spanning Ashoka, Aeroplane, Camel and ADF Soul. Before that, she was vice-president – marketing at direct-to-consumer mattress brand SleepyCat, where she helmed brand, content and performance marketing. Her résumé also includes a stint leading marketing, new product development and CRM for Tata SmartFoodz at Tata Consumer Products, no small proving ground.
Between corporate roles, Haldar also operated as a fractional CMO for early-stage startups, building marketing strategy and operational structures from scratch, a signal that she knows how to move fast with limited resources.
With 18 years straddling FMCG, D2C and the startup world, Haldar now takes the reins at a brand that has long owned the classroom but is clearly hungry for the living room. In a stationery market where the pencil has become a lifestyle statement, Faber-Castell has picked someone who knows exactly how to sell that story.
