iWorld
X’s global marketing head Angela Zepeda steps down
Former Hyundai CMO steps down from Elon Musk’s platform
LOS ANGELES: Angela Zepeda has stepped down as head of global marketing at X, bringing her 18-month stint at the social media platform to a close.
The development, which was not formally announced by the company, has surfaced through updates to Zepeda’s LinkedIn profile, indicating that she exited the role in February 2026. Her departure comes at a time when X continues to evolve its brand identity and advertiser relationships following its high-profile rebranding.
Zepeda joined X in September 2024, tasked with shaping global marketing strategy and strengthening the platform’s appeal to brands. Her tenure coincided with a period of transition, as the company worked to redefine its positioning in a competitive and often turbulent social media landscape.
Prior to her role at X, Zepeda held senior leadership positions at Hyundai Motor America, where she served as chief marketing officer for nearly five years. She briefly took on the role of chief creative officer before moving on, marking a notable chapter in her corporate career.
Her résumé spans decades across advertising and marketing, including leadership roles at INNOCEAN USA, where she served as senior vice president and managing director, as well as stints at Quigley-Simpson and Lowe Campbell Ewald. Over the years, she has built a reputation for steering brand strategy and driving business growth across industries.
Neither Zepeda nor X has publicly commented on the move, and her next step remains unclear. Still, her exit adds another twist to the ongoing narrative at X, where leadership shifts have become almost as frequent as timeline refreshes.
iWorld
MS Dhoni invests in Kuku, joins Kuku TV as brand ambassador
Cricket icon backs AI storytelling platform, fronts Kuku TV campaign
MUMBAI: MS Dhoni has invested in Kuku and joined its short-form drama app Kuku TV as brand ambassador, signalling a high-profile bet on India’s fast-growing AI-led content space.
Kuku, a mobile-first storytelling platform, operates across formats with apps such as Kuku TV for micro-dramas, Kuku FM for audio content and Guru for learning-led entertainment. Founded in 2018, the company has scaled rapidly, crossing 350 million installs and building a catalogue of over 20,000 titles across multiple Indian languages.
Dhoni said his decision to invest and partner with the platform was driven by its distinct approach to storytelling and its strong growth trajectory. MS Dhoni said, “I chose to invest in Kuku, and also come on board as the ambassador for Kuku TV, because the platform really stood out to me. It has built a differentiated entertainment experience for audiences across India, spanning multiple languages and formats. The growth has been impressive, and I connect strongly with the founders, who come from small towns like mine and have built something of this scale. I believe in their vision of building an AI-driven storytelling platform from Bharat, for Bharat, and for the world.”
Founded by Lal Chand Bisu, Vinod Kumar Meena and Vikas Goyal, the platform positions itself at the intersection of technology and storytelling, using AI to create and distribute bite-sized content tailored to mobile audiences.
Sharing his perspective, Kuku co-founder and CEO Lal Chand Bisu said, “MS Dhoni is known for backing bold decisions that others might hesitate to take. At Kuku, we are also taking bold bets. That spirit of unconventional thinking resonates deeply with us.”
Adding to this, Kuku co-founder and COO Vinod Kumar Meena said, “Our beloved Thala is one of the rare personalities with truly nationwide appeal. As we build Kuku for all of India, that connection makes him a natural fit for us.”
Further, Kuku co-founder and CTO Vikas Goyal said, “MSD has a unique understanding of people. As we build for both creators and consumers, that perspective will be incredibly valuable, especially as we continue strengthening our AI-driven storytelling stack.”
Backing the momentum, Panthera Peak Capital managing director Nikhil Bhandarkar said, “Kuku’s vision, execution, and clarity of thought are exceptional, qualities that closely mirror MS Dhoni’s approach. We are excited to partner with the team as they build Kuku into a global entertainment platform.”
To mark the association, Kuku TV has rolled out the campaign Dhoni Watches Kuku TV, anchored by a brand film that plays on Dhoni’s instinctive decision-making. Built around short, engaging stories delivered in minutes, the campaign highlights the platform’s promise of quick, compelling entertainment.
With Dhoni stepping in as both investor and face of the brand, Kuku appears to be doubling down on its ambition to take AI-driven storytelling from India to a global audience, one short story at a time.
