MAM
Deepesh Dhakad to lead tech at upGrad
MUMBAI: When upGrad said it was upgrading its tech game, it meant it literally. The skilling giant has appointed Deepesh Dhakad as its new chief product and technology officer (CPTO), effective October 2025, as it sharpens focus on innovation, scalability and next-gen learning experiences.
Based in Bengaluru, Dhakad will lead upGrad’s global product, design and technology ecosystem across its learner and enterprise verticals.
With nearly two decades of experience across powerhouses like Amazon, Flipkart, Unacademy and Games24x7, Dhakad has built and scaled digital platforms serving millions worldwide. His expertise lies in using AI-led design and data-driven experimentation to fuel growth and engagement.
“upGrad stands at a pivotal moment where technology is not just an enabler but the engine powering our next phase of growth,” said Dhakad. “Our goal is to design intelligent, AI-native systems that personalise learning journeys and deliver measurable results for individuals and enterprises.”
upGrad chief human resources officer Amit Mehta called the appointment “perfectly timed” as the company expands deeper into global markets. “Deepesh’s strong experience in building high-growth, tech-led ecosystems will further strengthen our ability to deliver outcome-driven learning at scale,” he said.
An alumnus of IIIT Allahabad and IIT Bombay’s Shailesh J. Mehta School of Management, Dhakad brings a rare blend of strategic vision, product intuition and technological depth, just what upGrad needs as it gears up for its next phase of global growth.
Brands
JioStar pushes HD viewing as default for IPL with Watch on HD campaign
New campaign highlights how younger viewers are driving HD adoption at home
MUMBAI:JioStar is making a clear pitch to cricket fans: if you are watching the Indian Premier League, it might as well be in high definition. The media giant has rolled out its latest Watch on HD campaign, positioning HD viewing not as a luxury but as the new normal for IPL audiences on linear television.
At the heart of the campaign is a light, relatable film set in a typical Indian household. It flips the script on tech adoption, showing a young boy questioning his parents for watching a match in standard definition before switching it to Star Sports HD himself. The message is simple and sharp: even kids know HD is the way to go.
The campaign taps into a broader behavioural shift. Younger viewers are increasingly influencing how families consume content, from streaming habits to display quality. In this case, they are nudging households toward better picture clarity and a more immersive sports experience.
Built around the idea that “even children know the real IPL experience is on HD,” the campaign reflects how deeply HD has embedded itself into everyday viewing. For fans, especially during high-stakes matches, sharper visuals and finer details are no longer optional extras but part of the core experience.
A spokesperson from JioStar said the aim is to mirror how audiences already engage with content today, where HD is widely accessible and easy to adopt. The focus, they added, is on ensuring viewers do not miss the nuances of the game, from a perfectly timed cover drive to the emotion on a player’s face.
With IPL continuing to dominate as one of India’s biggest shared viewing events, JioStar’s campaign underlines a broader industry push: elevate the baseline experience. As HD penetration grows across markets, the company is betting that clearer screens will translate into stronger viewer loyalty and engagement.
In a tournament built on spectacle, JioStar is making its stance clear. For IPL fans, HD is no longer the upgrade. It is the expectation.
