MAM
Pinterest names Soniya Monga from TikTok as VP of global agency sales
MUMBAI: Whether you’re sketching the blueprint of your dream tattoo, curating the perfect product showcase for your e-commerce venture, or piecing together the wedding of a lifetime, Pinterest has become the visual sanctuary where ideas come to life.
It’s where inspiration takes flight, a platform transforming everyday moments into extraordinary visions.
And now, leading this global powerhouse into a new chapter of creativity and collaboration, Pinterest has appointed Soniya Monga as its vice president of global agency sales. With her at the helm, Pinterest’s connection to the world’s most creative minds promises to grow even stronger, blending innovation, strategy, and boundless inspiration into a canvas that’s truly global.
Monga brings a wealth of experience from her tenure at leading technology companies. She previously served as head of US agency partnerships at TikTok, where she managed relationships with major agency holding companies and developed go-to-market strategies for top agency groups in the United States.
Before her time at TikTok, Monga held leadership positions at Snap Inc., LinkedIn, and Microsoft. At Snap Inc., she led global agency partnerships, empowering agencies and brands to leverage the platform’s advertising opportunities. Her tenure at LinkedIn began in 2010 as one of the earliest employees of LinkedIn Canada, where she contributed to building the company’s advertising business. She later relocated to Hong Kong to manage strategic brand relationships across north Asia, including Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and China.
Monga holds a bachelor of arts in international economics from McGill University. She has been recognised for her contributions to the industry, including being named to Marketing Magazine’s Top 30 Under 30 in 2013. Additionally, she has served on the board of New York Women in Communications, an organisation dedicated to empowering women in the communications field.
Expressing her enthusiasm for the new role, Monga stated, “Pinterest is a platform I’ve long admired for its vision and its unique position as a visual search and discovery tool. I’m excited to help grow its role as a positive space for consumers and brands alike.”
Pinterest’s chief revenue officer, Bill Watkins commented on the appointment, stating, “Soniya has a stellar record of building agency business from the ground up, combining strategic vision, product expertise, and operational excellence. We’re thrilled to welcome her leadership as we continue to strengthen our agency business.”
Monga’s appointment comes as Pinterest continues to expand its advertising offerings and strengthen its position as a visual discovery platform. Her extensive experience in building and managing agency partnerships is expected to play a pivotal role in driving the company’s growth in the advertising sector.
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.
