MAM
Autodesk Appoints Alok Sharma as Head of M&E Division, India and SAARC Region
NEW DELHI: Alok Sharma has been appointed head of media & entertainment (M&E) business for India and SAARC in Autodesk, Inc.
In this role, Sharma will be responsible for driving the growth of Autodesk’s M&E business and adoption of its digital design entertainment creation tools across the region. M&E is a key business vertical for Autodesk worldwide, and India with a booming media & entertainment sector, is one of the significant growth markets.
Sharma comes on board with 18 years of industry experience and in the past held leadership positions in leading IT organisations in India that includes the likes of Hewlett Packard-India, Tata Elxsi and Network Appliance. Prior to joining Autodesk, he was associated with Fujitsu India for 5 years leading two of the company’s business units – Workplace Systems, Workstations & Thin Clients.
Commenting on the appointment, India and SAARC Autodesk MD Pradeep Nair said, “We are delighted to welcome Alok to lead the M&E team at Autodesk India. As a leading provider of software used to create Oscar-winning visual effects, state-of-the-art video game and television content, Autodesk is committed to make some of the most advanced storytelling technologies available to India’s booming M&E sector. Alok’s extensive industry experience will help us reinforce our leadership position in India. I wish him a very successful stint at Autodesk.”
Sharma said, “India’s M&E sector is slated to grow at 11.8 per cent in 2013 to touch Rs 917 billion as per a recent FICCI-KPMG’s Media & Entertainment 2013 report. Autodesk is uniquely positioned to take advantage of this environment with its range of tools that enable customers to create more innovative films, television content, and games through integrated digital production environments that support creativity and improve efficiency. I am really excited at the prospect of leading this mandate for Autodesk in India and am confident of our continued success in this promising market.”
Brands
KITKAT India teams up with One Piece for anime-led campaign push
On-pack characters and digital film tap into India’s fast-growing anime wave
MUMBAI: KITKAT India has joined forces with the globally popular anime One Piece, rolling out a new campaign that brings fan-favourite characters onto its packaging in a bid to connect with India’s rapidly expanding anime audience.
The collaboration sees iconic characters from the series featured on KITKAT packs, adding a playful twist to the brand’s long-standing “take a break” proposition. By blending pop culture with confectionery, the campaign aims to make everyday breaks feel a little more adventurous.
The launch is anchored by a digital-first film released across YouTube and Meta platforms, supported by a broader push spanning outdoor media and interactive social content. The multi-platform rollout reflects a clear attempt to meet younger audiences where they already spend their time.
Nestlé India head confectionery business Gopichandar Jagatheesan said, “Anime is a rapidly growing genre in India, and we are excited to collaborate with one of the most popular shows, One Piece. Having championed breaks for decades, KITKAT now takes them to the next level, making every break more epic with the world of One Piece.”
The move comes at a time when anime is shifting from niche interest to mainstream entertainment in India, with brands increasingly tapping into its cultural currency to stay relevant with younger consumers.
By pairing a globally loved anime with an equally recognisable chocolate brand, KITKAT’s latest outing signals a simple idea with strong appeal. In a crowded market, even a small break can turn into a big moment when it comes with a side of fandom.
