MAM
Anil Pandit steps up as managing partner – data strategy and partnerships at Publicis Media
MUMBAI: Publicis Media has named Anil K Pandit as managing partner – data strategy and partnerships, cementing his rise as a key voice in India’s data-driven advertising evolution. The promotion marks a strategic pivot for the group as it sharpens focus on ethical innovation, data privacy, and future-ready partnerships.
Pandit, who previously served as EVP – programmatic, data and tech for India, now leads efforts to align data transformation with privacy-safe alliances and responsible advertising frameworks. “The future revolves around connected data and collaboration, with trust at the core,” Pandit said, announcing the move.
With over two decades of experience across Omnicom, MicroAd, People Interactive, and India Today, Pandit has built a formidable reputation as a programmatic pioneer and data governance advocate. He is also a regular voice in academia and policy, serving as guest faculty at IIM Bangalore, IMT Ghaziabad, and member of the MMA AI Advisory Council and IAB Tech Lab working groups.
His appointment signals Publicis Media’s deepening investment in data infrastructure at a time when privacy, interoperability and AI-readiness are redefining the media and martech playbook.
MAM
Three senior OpenAI infrastructure executives join Meta
Key members of Stargate project move to rival amid aggressive AI spending race.
MUMBAI: Three key architects of OpenAI’s ambitious data centre plans have switched sides and joined Meta Platforms, according to people familiar with the matter. Peter Hoeschele, who played a central role in OpenAI’s high-profile Stargate initiative, is among the new hires. He is joined by Shamez Hemani, who focused on computing strategy and business development, and Anuj Saharan, another leader in the computing organisation. The Information first reported their departure from OpenAI on Thursday.
The moves come as Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has pledged to spend aggressively on AI infrastructure. The company is projecting capital expenditure of up to $135 billion this year alone, with hundreds of billions more expected before the end of the decade to support its Meta Superintelligence Labs and new models such as Muse Spark.
OpenAI, which is pushing ahead with massive data centre expansion, had described its early lead in securing computing power as a competitive advantage. Stargate, originally announced last year as a $500 billion venture involving OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank, has since become an umbrella term for the company’s broader data centre ambitions. However, the project has seen recent adjustments, including a pause on its UK plans and the decision not to expand the Abilene, Texas site.
A spokesperson for Meta declined to comment, while Hoeschele, Hemani, and Saharan also declined to comment. OpenAI said it was grateful for the contributions of the three employees and remains focused on hiring talent for its infrastructure plans. The company recently brought in former Intel executive Sachin Katti to lead its industrial compute efforts.
In the high-stakes race to build the future of artificial intelligence, talent is proving to be as valuable as computing power itself. Meta’s latest hires suggest the competition for top infrastructure minds is intensifying, even as OpenAI continues to scale its own ambitious projects. The move highlights how quickly the AI talent war is heating up across Silicon Valley.
