MAM
Ayushmann Khurrana becomes Agoda’s brand ambassador
Mumbai: Bollywood star Ayushmann Khurrana is the new brand ambassador for Agoda in India, the digital travel platform announced today. The National Award-winning actor, who is currently celebrating the success of his latest hit Dream Girl 2, is revered for his versatility and eclectic film choices.
Beyond the silver screen, Ayushmann’s passion for travel aligns seamlessly with Agoda’s goal to help travellers see the world for less. The Andhadhun star embodies a positive and refreshing spirit, a perfect match with Agoda’s user-friendly and colourful platform.
“I am excited to partner with Agoda, a brand that shares my passion for travel,” said Ayushmann Khurrana. “I always make sure there’s an upcoming trip in my calendar to look forward to and it’s great to see I’m not the only one, given how tourism is booming in India. I’m hoping that together with Agoda I can encourage even more Indians to travel and see the world for less.”
Sharing his thoughts on the announcement, Agoda country director of India, Sri Lanka, and Maldives Krishna Rathi said “We are ecstatic to announce Ayushmann Khuranna as the new face of Agoda in India. His genuine persona, versatility, and zeal to always deliver the best are perfectly aligned with what the Agoda brand aspires to be for Indian travellers.”
The upcoming brand campaign in India featuring Ayushmann Khurrana is expected to launch in November and will be Agoda’s first ad in India since the successful ‘No More Drama!’ campaign.
Brands
Akamai appoints Fiona Zhang as regional VP, channel sales and programs for Asia Pacific and Japan
New regional VP to scale partner ecosystem amid cloud and AI demand
BENGALURU: Akamai Technologies has appointed Fiona Zhang as regional vice president for channel sales and programmes in Asia Pacific and Japan, doubling down on its partner-led growth strategy in one of its fastest-evolving markets.
In her new role, Zhang will oversee the company’s channel strategy and partner ecosystem across the region, with a focus on helping partners deliver more value to customers navigating increasingly complex cloud and security needs.
The move signals Akamai’s continued bet on its partner network to drive adoption, expand market reach and fuel revenue growth. A key pillar of this strategy is Akamai Partner Connect, the company’s unified global programme designed to simplify engagement and accelerate partner-led business.
Across Asia Pacific and Japan, demand for cloud, cybersecurity and AI-led solutions is rising sharply. Akamai is responding by expanding its network of service providers, distributors, system integrators and technology partners, aiming to bring more localised expertise and scalable solutions to enterprise customers.
Zhang brings over 15 years of experience in channel sales and programme leadership across cybersecurity, cloud and networking. Since joining Akamai in 2019, she has led channel strategy and operations in Greater China, where she drove partner-led growth across delivery, security and compute offerings.
Before Akamai, she was head of channels at Palo Alto Networks in China, where she oversaw rapid expansion and revenue growth. She began her career at Cisco, holding roles across sales, business development and channel management.
“Asia Pacific is one of the most diverse and fast-moving technology markets in the world, and that makes a channel-first strategy essential,” said Zhang. “Across APJ, our partners are doing far more than reselling. They are building capabilities, advancing AI adoption and helping enterprises navigate a complex digital landscape. My focus is on making Akamai the platform our partners want to build their business around.”
Echoing the sentiment, Akamai Technologies vice president and managing director greater China Sean Li said, “Our channel ecosystem is fundamental to Akamai’s growth strategy. Fiona’s leadership will be instrumental in strengthening our partner network and enabling partners to capture new opportunities across the region.”
With enterprises accelerating digital transformation and AI adoption, Akamai’s latest leadership move underscores a clear message. In a market driven by partnerships, the company is placing its bets firmly on the channel to lead the next phase of growth.
