MAM
DDB Mudra Group elevates Aditya Kanthy & Amit Kekre
MUMBAI: Aditya Kanthy and Amit Kekre, currently senior VPs, DDB Mudra, have been elevated to the role of national strategic planning heads by the agency.
In their new roles, Kanthy and Kekre will jointly take on the national mandate of looking after strategy and planning for all of DDB Mudra offices in the West, North, South as well as Tribal, Rapp and Remedy. Arun Sharma in Delhi and Rajesh Sharma in Bangalore will work closely with Kanthy and Kekre respectively.
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On the elevations, DDB Mudra Group group CEO & MD Madhukar Kamath said, “Aditya and Amit make a formidable team, both thorough with all facets of strategy planning, yet each with their unique worldview. They have both contributed greatly to strengthening the agency’s creative-effectiveness credentials and I am sure together they will take it to greater heights.”
During his decade long stint with the DDB Mudra Group Kanthy has contributed to some of India’s most loved brands and trusted companies and has over a dozen wins across categories (including health & digital) at the Effies.
Kekre began his planning career in 2001, and has worked with agencies in India and abroad. He was featured as one of 10 best planners across Asia Pacific by Media Magazine. On his new role, he said, “Imagination is the beginning of all planning. The last two and a half years I?ve been with DDB Mudra, I am glad this personal belief has found a turf on which it flourishes. Ours is a truly remarkable team – as adept with tools and processes, as it is with the most fundamental aspect of all communications? exploring people, imagining a different reality, imagining newer narratives. I am proud of our unique and in more ways than one, ‘total’ planning offering. Aditya is an amazing mind. The two of us together are only one of the visible signs of DDB Mudra?s core pillars, Together, we are better.”
“DDB Mudra has a legacy of putting strategic thinking at the heart of the work we do. Over the years our management has displayed a serious commitment to planning by investing in an excellent team across the country and it’s been paying off. The product’s improved, our clients vouch for the quality of the thinking and the planners have forged deep partnerships with the creative and account management teams. With top class brand, media and activation planning under the same roof, we could lead the way in shaping the discipline. Amit’s a terrific partner, we enjoy working with each other and we’re raring to go”, said Kanthy.
MAM
Ameya Velankar steps down as Uber’s head of marketing for India & South Asia
Veteran marketer exits after more than seven years with the ride-hailing giant.
MUMBAI: After more than seven years of steering Uber through the bumpy roads of India’s mobility market, Ameya Velankar has decided to change lanes. Ameya Velankar has stepped down as Head of Marketing for India and South Asia, marking the end of a significant chapter at the ride-hailing company. He had been with Uber since 2019, taking on multiple roles in product and category marketing before rising to lead the marketing function for the region in 2021.
During his tenure, Velankar played a key role in strengthening Uber’s positioning in one of its most competitive and dynamic markets. He helped drive localised marketing strategies and scale adoption across key offerings such as Auto, Moto, Rentals and Intercity, tailoring global platforms to Indian consumer needs.
Prior to joining Uber, Velankar built his marketing expertise at leading consumer companies including SC Johnson and Marico, where he handled category and product leadership roles. His career began at RPG Enterprises.
Details of his next professional move have not been disclosed.
In a fast-evolving mobility landscape where brands constantly battle for attention, Ameya Velankar helped Uber stay relevant and resonant with millions of Indian users. As he moves on from the driver’s seat of marketing, the company will now look for fresh ideas to keep its wheels turning smoothly.
