MAM
CarDekho buys Zingwheels; Times Internet invests in Girnar
MUMBAI: In a bid to consolidate its position in the auto portals space, Girnar Software, which owns CarDekho.com & Gaadi.com, has acquired Zigwheels.com.
Additionally, Times Internet has come on board as an investor in Girnar Software along with Sequoia Capital, Hillhouse, Tybourne, Ratan Tata and HDFC Bank.
Zigwheels.com will operate independently within the Girnar Software umbrella.
“Having been a part of India’s leading and most respected media group, Zigwheels.com comes with a very strong content pedigree. This strategic acquisition reinforces our commitment to further enrich our content to enable us to engage even more deeply with our consumers. This also takes our market leadership to the next level in the digital auto vertical across visitors, dealer base and revenues,” said Girnar Software CEO Amit Jain.
“We are delighted to welcome Times as a new investor in our company and look forward to their support as we continue our journey and further consolidate our leadership in the online auto space,” added Jain.
“We see tremendous growth and value creation opportunities in the online auto industry in India and overseas. Girnar Soft, as the leader in this space, is best positioned to take advantage of this opportunity. We are excited to be partnering with an exceptional management team which has built great value and we are confident will continue to blaze trails in the years to come,” added Times Internet CEO Satyan Gajwani.
This is Girnar Software’s second acquisition. Last September, the company acquired the Nasper Group-owned Gaadi.com, to fortify its position in the digital used car segment.
The core business model of Girnar Software is earnings from lead generation for new and used cars, media sales on their portals, monetising the lifecycle of a car owner via CarBuddy app.
The company is also expanding across SE Asia, Africa, Middle East and South America.
The Rainmaker Group (TRMG) is the financial advisor to Girnar Software for the transaction.
MAM
Kenneth Roman, former Ogilvy CEO and ad industry veteran, passes away at 95
Longtime Ogilvy & Mather leader and David Ogilvy biographer leaves lasting legacy
NEW YORK: Kenneth Roman, the former chairman and chief executive of Ogilvy & Mather and a defining figure of Madison Avenue’s golden era, has passed away at the age of 95. He died on 22 April 2026 at his home in Manhattan.
Roman spent more than two decades at Ogilvy, joining in 1963 as an account executive and steadily rising through the ranks to lead the agency as chairman and CEO from 1985 to 1989. His tenure coincided with a pivotal period in the company’s history, including its acquisition by WPP.
Beyond the boardroom, Roman was widely respected as the definitive chronicler of the agency’s founder, David Ogilvy. His biography, The King of Madison Avenue, remains one of the most authoritative accounts of modern advertising’s evolution. He also co-authored influential titles such as How to Advertise and Writing That Works, both regarded as essential reading in the industry.
In a tribute, Ogilvy described Roman as a “quietly determined” leader and a lifelong custodian of the agency’s culture. Even after retirement, he remained closely connected to the firm, contributing articles, mentoring talent and serving as a trusted voice on its history and values.
Colleagues remember him not just for his leadership, but for his generosity and commitment to the craft of writing and storytelling. His presence at industry events and continued engagement with the Ogilvy community reflected a career that never quite slowed down.
Roman’s passing marks the end of an era for the original Madison Avenue generation. He leaves behind a legacy shaped by leadership, authorship and an enduring belief in the power of ideas and people.
