MAM
Draftfcb+Ulka appoints Anirban Chaudhuri as head of strategic planning
MUMBAI: Draftfcb+Ulka has appointed Anirban Chaudhuri as the head of strategic planning for its Delhi operations.
Anirban comes in with 18 years of expertise in brand advisory and integrated marketing communications development, having worked with leading domestic and multinational players for India as well as South East Asia.
A gold medalist in MBA from Jadavpur University in Kolkata, he has a PG Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication. He further completed his studies on strategic management from IIM Kolkata. Anirban has worked at Shining Strategic Consultancy, IMRB International, TNS, Dentsu and DDB Mudra Group in the past and most recently was experimenting in the digital space with a marketing knowledge portal. He has also been a contributory speaker to Wharton Future of Advertising round table in India.
He is currently exploring three areas of interest – ‘green‘ advertising, use of technology in developmental communication and ‘play’ as a technique in developing creative strategy.
Advisor to the Board Arvind Wable said, “Anirban brings a unique combination of brand consultancy, market research and a keen insight into digital and social media which will be a valuable addition to our strategic planning efforts.”
Draftfcb+Ulka Delhi operations COO Sanjay Tandon commented, “Anirban has a close connect with our value system and with his diverse experience promises to play a game changing role in creating brand wealth for our clients. Behind his gentle demeanor is a wealth of knowledge and sophisticated thinking that drives brand direction in an incisive manner.”
On being appointed Anirban expressed, “Draftfcb+ Ulka is known for its strong orientation towards partnering businesses to deliver strategic marketing solutions. I am happy to be a part of that culture and looking forward to exciting times ahead.”
Brands
Hyundai and TVS Motor partner to develop electric three wheelers
Joint development pact targets last mile mobility with localisation push
MUMBAI: Three wheels, one big ambition and a charge towards the future. Hyundai Motor Company and TVS Motor Company have signed a joint development agreement to co-create electric three-wheelers (E3Ws), aiming to crack India’s complex last-mile mobility puzzle. The collaboration moves beyond concept talk into execution mode, building on the E3W prototype first showcased at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. The goal now is clear, design, develop and commercialise a purpose-built vehicle tailored to Indian roads, riders and realities.
Under the agreement, Hyundai will lead design and co-development, bringing its global R&D muscle and human-centric engineering approach to the table. TVS Motor, meanwhile, will anchor the product on its electric platform, leveraging deep three-wheeler expertise and local market insight. It will also handle manufacturing and sales in India, with an eye on exports down the line.
The timing is strategic. India remains the world’s largest three-wheeler market, where affordability, durability and adaptability often outweigh sheer innovation. The upcoming E3W aims to strike that balance combining advanced technology with practical features such as adaptive ground clearance for monsoon-hit roads, improved thermal management for tropical climates, and flexible interiors suited for passengers, cargo or emergency use.
A key pillar of the partnership is localisation. Major components will be sourced and manufactured within India, a move expected to strengthen the domestic supply chain, create jobs, lower costs and improve after-sales support.
The shift from prototype to production will involve rigorous testing, certification and refinement to meet regulatory standards and consumer expectations. Dedicated cross-functional teams from both companies are already in place to accelerate timelines.
At a broader level, the tie-up reflects a growing trend in mobility, global players partnering with local specialists to navigate emerging markets. For Hyundai and TVS, the bet is that combining scale with street-level insight could unlock a new chapter in sustainable urban transport, one that runs not just on electricity, but on relevance.
