MAM
Anita Arjundas, MD, Mahindra Lifespaces, with Nidhi Chandna, winner of the #JoyfulHomecomings contest, and her family
Mumbai, April 25, 2018: Mahindra Lifespace Developers Limited (‘MLDL’), the real estate and infrastructure development arm of the Mahindra Group, has announced the winner of its #Joyful Homecomings ‘Home at Re. 1’ contest. The contest was part of a campaign to bring to life Mahindra Lifespaces’ brand value proposition of ‘Joyful Homecomings’. The winner, Gurgaon resident Ms. Nidhi Chandna, is now the proud owner of an apartment at Happinest – Palghar: Mahindra Lifespaces’ latest affordable housing project, which has emerged as one of the fastest-selling projects in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
Sharing her excitement on her big win, Ms. Chandna said, “An apartment in MMR for Re. 1 is like a dream come true! I would like to thank Mahindra Lifespaces for creating a one-of-a-kind opportunity for a truly joyful homecoming.”
Added Sunil Sharma, VP – Marketing & CRM, Mahindra Lifespaces, “Purchasing a home is a major life decision, and most intending buyers today start their real estate journey online. At Mahindra Lifespaces, we are focused on ensuring that every aspect of this process is enjoyable. Digital has been working as one of the core media for the brand to build engagement & salience. The #JoyfulHomecomings campaign is a manifestation of our customer-centric approach on the digital platform, and we heartily welcome Ms. Chandna to the Mahindra Lifespaces family.”
Ahmed Aftab Naqvi, CEO and Co-founder, Gozoop, said, “Buying a home is one of the most cherished moments in a person’s life and our campaign #JoyfulHomecomings is an innovative take on spreading this happiness with just a single rupee. With over 142K potential home buyers engaged, this digital first campaign left an indelible impression on not just their minds, but their hearts as well.”
Mahindra Lifespaces’ brand proposition of Joyful Homecomings encompasses the delivery of thoughtfully designed homes and community spaces; hassle-free experiences; a portfolio of post-handover services; and the creation of vibrant communities that augment the living experience for residents. The month-long #JoyfulHomecomings campaign invited participants to answer a simple question – ‘What does #JoyfulHomecomings mean to you?’ The campaign also leveraged GIF and vox-pop videos wherein participants were asked for ideas on how they would spread joy with only Re. 1, thereby rousing wide curiosity and anticipation. The campaign generated 6.8K+ conversations over a month across digital platforms.
About Mahindra Lifespace Developers Ltd.
Established in 1994, Mahindra Lifespace Developers Ltd. is the real estate and infrastructure development business of the USD 19 billion Mahindra Group, and a pioneer of sustainable urbanisation in India. The Company is committed to transforming India’s urban landscape through its residential developments under the ‘Mahindra Lifespaces’ and ‘Happinest’ brands; and through its integrated cities and industrial clusters under the ‘Mahindra World City’ brand.
Mahindra Lifespaces delivers innovative customer-focused solutions that are rooted in a legacy of trust and transparency. The Company’s development footprint spans 23 million sq. ft. (2.137 million sq. m.) of completed, ongoing and forthcoming residential projects across seven Indian cities; and over 4960 acres of ongoing and forthcoming projects under development/management at its integrated developments in four cities.
A pioneer of the green homes movement in India, Mahindra Lifespaces has been ranked 4th in Asia in its category, in the ‘2017 GRESB Real Estate ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) Assessment’. The Company has also been ranked among the top 50 great mid-size workplaces in India – 2017, by the Great Places To Work Institute.
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.
