MAM
Vodafone brings back its iconic Pug
MUMBAI: Vodafone has been continuously strengthening its network by substantial investments and has now brought back its iconic mascot Cheeka, India’s favourite pug, but this time with a full army to charm customers with this exciting new campaign.
Vodafone has made significant capital expenditure investments to modernise, upgrade & strengthen its network across the country, empowering customers to enjoy a superior network experience and remain confidently connected at all times. The new campaign will amplify this commitment by highlighting that Vodafone has been adding a tower every hour to enhance connectivity for its over 210 million customers.
Vodafone India executive vice president of marketing Siddharth Banerjee says, “From the early 2000s, our pug has always been associated with Hutch and then Vodafone’s reliable network. The new campaign #StrongerTogether highlights our continued commitment to providing a world class network experience and we are delighted to present Cheeka and friends to our generation of customers in India. We hope people like the evolution of the ‘Network That Follows You’ to the refreshed thought of The Data Strong Network which always Follows You.”
The 360-degree high decibel campaign has been conceptualised by Ogilvy & Mather India. Presenting a wholesome marketing mix, the six-week-long campaign will connect with customers across diverse mediums like OOH, radio, print and digital.
Ogilvy Mumbai executive creative director Kiran Anthony adds, “Refreshing icons are always difficult. People still remember our first boy and dog ad and even the line, ‘wherever you go, our network follows.’ The challenge was to convey the new network proposition that we are getting stronger while retaining the simplicity and charm of our most loved asset.”
Brands
IndiGo appoints captain Rohit Rikhye as head of operations control centre
Leadership change follows dgca penalties and december flight disruptions
MUMBAI: IndiGo has appointed Captain Rohit Rikhye as the new head of its operations control centre (OCC). The appointment, effective immediately following an internal announcement on Friday, sees Rikhye take over from Jason Herter. He will report directly to the chief operating officer (COO), Isidre Porqueras.
Captain Rikhye brings over 11 years of experience within IndiGo to the role. He previously served as chief pilot for standards, QA, and ops safety. In his new position, he is responsible for the airline’s central nerve centre, overseeing flight operations, including real-time coordination, planning, and dispatch; tracking and compliance, ensuring all flights adhere to air traffic control and safety regulations; and resource management, handling crew scheduling and rostering across the network.
The leadership transition comes after a period of significant operational challenges in December 2025. These lapses resulted in strict intervention from the directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) in January 2026.
According to statements made by additional solicitor general Chetan Sharma on behalf of the civil aviation ministry, the regulator imposed penalties totalling Rs 22 crore on the airline. The regulatory response also led to the dismissal of a senior vice-president to address the systemic issues identified during the disruptions.
The OCC is critical to the airline’s daily performance, managing everything from flight paths to crew availability. By appointing a veteran from the safety and standards division, IndiGo aims to strengthen its regulatory compliance and ensure operational stability moving forward.
