MAM
Deepika Deepti joins Bhaane as CEO
MUMBAI: Community-first brand Bhaane has appointed Deepika Deepti as CEO. With an online shop, three brick-and-mortar stores annexed with cafes; and a cohesive integration with cult sneaker brand VegNonVeg, Deepika’s role will involve managing and strategic expansion of the brand both domestically and internationally while monitoring the bottom-line impact.
She has a strong understanding of product and consumer dynamics, grasp of marketing levers, an ability to identify and engage emerging talent along with a progressive outlook on what it means to be a global Indian in 2020.
A former director – brands activations – emerging markets, Adidas, Deepika has an illustrious 11-year-long career. Through clever creative partnerships, skilfully curated influencer marketing and experimental retail formats, Deepika created milestone moments in the brand’s India trajectory. Her international partnership highlights include an experiential campaign with tennis icon Stan Smith and music icon Pharrell Williams; later conducting an exclusive tour during Holi to launch an exclusive design.
“Deepika has the ability to sync the creative, culture and corporate worlds. We welcome her to the role and together aim to mark a new chapter in strengthening and fuelling the growth of our culture first brand through creative intersection of design, e-commerce, social responsibility and team efficiencies,” said Bhaane founder Anand S Ahuja.
“I’m excited and committed to drive the power of self-expression, culture, and community that Bhaane stands for. I hope to strengthen the brand’s relatable voice, improve execution while embracing inclusivity across the organization and the people of modern India to whom Bhaane belongs to and thrives with,” said Deepika
Bhaane’s future is that of growth and deepening – one that is sustainable, sensitive and multi-faceted. Deepika’s immediate goals include sharpening the retail footprint with an enhanced product offering and consumer experiences. This season will see a focus on building retail experiences, starting with a new exclusive store in Bengaluru and an international collaboration with Wolf and Badger, UK. The brand will continue to grow as a dynamic space by hosting like-minded brands, including vegan accessory brand Mat&Nat, fine perfumes by DS&Durga and an ecological French sneaker brand Veja. Under her leadership, the group will host more independent brands in time.
She is based in New Delhi.
AD Agencies
Prakash Nair reportedly quits Ogilvy after 23 years
One of the agency’s longest-serving leaders has moved on, with his next destination still unknown
MUMBAI: After more than two decades at one address, Prakash Nair has left the building. The president and head of office, north at Ogilvy has moved on from the agency, according to highly placed industry sources. His next move remains unknown. Ogilvy did not respond to requests for comment.
Nair spent over 23 years at the agency, making him one of its longest-serving senior figures. He was elevated to lead the Gurugram office in April 2022, a role that put him at the helm of Ogilvy’s northern operations at a time of considerable churn across the advertising industry.
Before taking charge in the capital, Nair served as associate president at Ogilvy Mumbai, where he worked on some of the agency’s most prized accounts, including Mondelez, Tata Motors, and BP Castrol. Over the years, he built a reputation for driving modern, integrated, and award-winning work, the kind that wins metals at Cannes and keeps clients from straying.
His departure was marked in style. A farewell gathering was held in Delhi, attended by senior figures from across the advertising fraternity, a signal of the regard in which Nair is held in an industry that does not always pause to say goodbye properly.
Where he goes next is the question the industry is now asking. After 23 years at one of the world’s most storied agencies, the answer, when it comes, will be worth watching.
