Brands
coto unveils ‘app tiles’ ahead of its launch – reflects values of inclusivity and community building
Mumbai: The web3-based social communication platform, coto, has unveiled its ‘app tiles’ as a precursor to the launch. The women featured in the ‘app tiles’ exude a fervent enthusiasm for doing what they love and being who they are in a safe space with no judgements. coto wanted women with different personalities and across cultures to come together, all in one place, just like the vibe on the platform.
The design process for the ‘app tiles’ involves portraying carefree women who enjoy building their own communities with those who share the same vision. The use of pastel shades conveys the feeling of being supportive and nurturing. With this imagery and complementing colour themes, they reflect the coto ethos.
These app tiles showcase how like-minded women from across cities, irrespective of their caste, creed, colour, etc., come together to connect and share their experiences. It showcases the sense of freedom that these women enjoy while engaging in meaningful dialogues and conversations. The app tiles give a glimpse of all the emotions that these women experience when in a group as one unit. Most importantly, they are seen enjoying themselves without worrying about the outer world and toxicity.
Speaking of the app tiles, coto co-founder Rajneel Kumar said, “Every aspect of coto is designed to foster a sense of togetherness and belonging amongst all the members of the community. We chose our ‘app tiles’ to be an ever-evolving representation of women across geographies and ethnicities. This is another way for us to stay true to our core brand values of inclusivity and create a safe space for women.”
Adding to it, photographer Tanya Agarwal shared, “The thought behind the ‘app tiles’ was clear—to portray a safe space for like-minded women around the world to come together and express themselves freely. Through the visual representation, we wanted to bring alive coto’s philosophy of creating an engaging, dynamic space shaped by women, for women, where you can just be. The emotions, colours, body language, and interactions between them evoke a sense of enthusiasm, which best represents the coto tribe.”
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.
