Brands
Autocar India and Mahindra & Mahindra unveil the success of #WomenWithDrive
Mumbai: The third edition of the #WomenWithDrive campaign jointly organised by Autocar India and Mahindra & Mahindra was the biggest yet with a record number of women participants from all over the country joining the day-long adventure drive.
The #WomenWithDrive initiative held every year to celebrate International Women’s Day aims to motivate more women to get behind the wheel and enjoy the thrill of driving. It encourages them to step out of their comfort zone by driving on highways, off-roading, and pushing their limits on an autocross track behind the wheel of a Mahindra SUV
The event commenced with a grand flag-off ceremony on the sprawling grounds of the Grand Hyatt Mumbai which has been the venue partner for the past two years. The presence of Member of Parliament North Central Mumbai, Shrimati Poonam Mahajan, added to the prestige of the event as she gave an inspirational speech to the women participants “Women are the real drivers of this country, the driving force and should always be in the driver’s seat’ she said. Shrimati Mahajan flagged off the 12 Mahindra SUV convoy with 36 women who drove to Aamby Valley. From doctors to lawyers and entrepreneurs, the participants experienced an array of activities including a highway convoy drive, a competitive autocross timed against the clock, and an off-roading exercise, all aimed at fostering confidence, skill, and safety behind the wheel.
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd VP & head of global brand and marketing communications, automotive division Neha Anand. expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “At Mahindra, we are committed to driving change and empowering women to take the wheel – literally and metaphorically. Our #WomenWithDrive initiative, in collaboration with Autocar India, embodies this spirit. Now in its thrilling third edition, it’s been inspiring more women to explore and savour the freedom of adventure in our flagship SUVs. We invite participants to join us for a day of exhilarating experiences, witness our products in action, and share the sheer joy of driving with their circle. Here’s to celebrating more miles of empowerment and adventure as we pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive future!”
Sonia Paul, Cluster Director of Marketing, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, said, “This experience with Autocar India & Mahindra Auto was unforgettable and exhilarating. This is our second year of collaboration which is also the 20th Anniversary of Grand Hyatt Mumbai. Looking forward to more grand Memories like these.”
Sneha Soneji, Skincare & Makeup Consultant enthused. “Enjoyed bonding and making friends during the adventurous event. Everything, from the journey to Lonavala to the activities and off-roading, surpassed expectations. Videos can’t capture it all. Despite initial fear, gained remarkable confidence. Will return for more!
Pooja Jambotkar, a content creator and mom, also shared her enthusiasm, saying, “My first Thar 4×4 experience was amazing! What began as a simple drive with friends turned into thrilling drifting and off-roading. Loved it!”
With each edition building upon the success of the previous, #WomenWithDrive continues to pave the way for women to excel in driving scenarios traditionally dominated by men. Autocar India and Mahindra & Mahindra look forward to future editions, promising even more exhilarating experiences and opportunities for empowerment.
Brands
Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen to step down after 18 years in role
Board begins CEO search as Narayen prepares to move to chair role
SAN JOSE: After nearly two decades at the helm, Adobe’s long-serving chief executive Shantanu Narayen is preparing to pass the baton.
The company announced that Narayen will transition from his role as chief executive officer once a successor is appointed, ending an 18-year run that reshaped Adobe from a boxed software seller into a global cloud and AI powerhouse. He will remain chair of the board following the leadership transition.
Adobe’s board has formed a special committee to oversee the succession process, led by lead independent director Frank Calderoni. The committee will evaluate both internal and external candidates.
“Shantanu’s leadership has been instrumental in Adobe’s transformation and in positioning the company for the AI-driven era,” Calderoni said in a statement. “As we begin the next phase of succession planning, our focus is on identifying the right leader for the company’s next chapter while ensuring a smooth transition.”
In a note to employees, Narayen described the moment not as a farewell but as a pause for reflection after a long journey with the company.
“I love Adobe and the privilege of leading it has been the greatest honour of my career,” he wrote, adding that he will continue to work closely with the board over the coming months to ensure a seamless leadership change.
Tributes from the technology industry quickly followed the announcement. Microsoft chairman and chief executive officer Satya Nadella congratulated Narayen on what he described as a “legendary run” at Adobe.
“Congrats Shantanu, on a legendary run at Adobe! You’ve built one of the most important software companies in the world, and expanded what’s possible for creators, entrepreneurs, and brands everywhere,” Nadella wrote on LinkedIn.
“What has always stood out to me is the empathy you’ve brought to the creative process and the example you’ve set as a leader. Grateful for your friendship, mentorship, and for all you’ve done for Adobe and for our industry.”
Narayen’s career at Adobe spans nearly three decades. He joined the company in 1998 as vice president and rose steadily through the ranks before becoming chief executive officer in December 2007.
During that time, he orchestrated one of the most significant reinventions in the software industry. In 2013, Adobe made the bold decision to abandon traditional boxed software sales and move its flagship creative tools such as Photoshop to a subscription-based Creative Cloud model. The shift initially rattled investors but ultimately transformed Adobe into a predictable recurring revenue business and a case study in digital reinvention.
Narayen also pushed Adobe beyond creative tools into the world of marketing technology and data-driven customer experience, spearheading acquisitions such as Omniture and Marketo. Those moves helped build Adobe’s digital experience division and broaden its reach far beyond designers and photographers.
The numbers tell the story of that transformation. When Narayen took over in 2007, Adobe generated roughly $3 billion in annual revenue. Today the company reports more than $25 billion. Over the same period, its workforce expanded from around 3,000 employees to more than 30,000.
In recent years, Narayen has steered Adobe into the generative AI era with the launch of Adobe Firefly, aiming to keep the company ahead in a rapidly evolving creative technology landscape.
Born in Hyderabad in 1963, Narayen studied electronics and communication engineering at Osmania University before moving to the United States for a master’s degree in computer science from Bowling Green State University. He later earned an MBA from the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley.
Widely regarded as one of Silicon Valley’s most steady and effective leaders, Narayen has earned multiple honours during his career, including India’s Padma Shri in 2019.
For Adobe, the upcoming leadership change marks the end of a defining chapter. For Narayen, however, the story is far from finished. As he told employees, the company’s next era of creativity, powered by AI and new digital workflows, is only just beginning.
