MAM
Former FCB Ulka COO Sanjay Tandon joins Thinkstr as CEO
MUMBAI: Thinkstr, an independent multi-functional agency based in Gurgaon has announced the appointment of Sanjay Tandon as chief executive officer (CEO). Prior to this, Tandon was the chief operating officer (COO) at FCB Ulka.
Thinkstr founder Satbir Singh said, “As we grow and expand, we needed someone who’d bring much-needed method to the madness. Sanjay comes with years of solid experience across telecom, automotive, e-com, FMCG, durables, lifestyle categories. Not only has he run a large agency office, but he also brings precious experience from the other side, having been a client. That understanding of business dynamics makes Thinkstr’s offering stronger. And to top it all, he’s a friend of nearly two decades!”
Tandon said, “When I met Satbir, it was like continuing from where we left when we worked together professionally in the past. We share a passion for being very consumer-centric, client-focused and doing work that places our brands ahead of the curve in the market.”
He added, “Marketers are today fragmenting their energy and focus across multiple agencies, suffering cost inefficiency, lack of agility and inadequate senior level expertise to navigate their brand’s journey in the consumer’s life. At Thinkstr, we are geared to think ahead and deliver marketing programs with excellence.”
Tandon was previously the consumer – marketing head at RSPL (Xpert Dishwash, Proease Sanitary Pads, Uniwash Detergent (India & Bangladesh), Ghari (Bangladesh) and new FMCG development in India and Bangladesh.
MAM
BLR Airport Launches ‘Connections’ Service to Ease Transit Travel
New initiative targets smoother transfers as Bengaluru hub traffic rises 30 per cent.
MUMBAI: Missed connections may be a traveller’s nightmare but Bengaluru is trying to make them a thing of the past. Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR Airport) has rolled out ‘Connections by BLR’, a new transfer programme designed to take the friction out of connecting journeys. Built around three pillars ease, efficiency and experience,the initiative aims to simplify what is often the most stressful leg of air travel.
The move comes as transfer traffic at BLR Airport climbs sharply, up more than 30 per cent year-on-year. Transfers currently account for around 15 per cent of total passenger traffic and are projected to touch 20 per cent by 2026, signalling a clear shift in how the airport is positioning itself within airline networks.
At its core, the programme focuses on making navigation intuitive and downtime more comfortable. Dedicated transfer desks have been set up across terminals, supported by colour-coded wayfinding blue and yellow signage designed for quick recognition. Inter-terminal movement is being streamlined through complimentary shuttle services with predictable wait times, while designated transfer zones aim to reduce passenger confusion.
Beyond logistics, the airport is leaning into experience. Travellers in transit now have access to a wider choice of lounges, curated retail and food and beverage options, as well as sleeping pods for short stays. For longer layovers, transit hotels in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 offer boutique in-terminal accommodation, an increasingly sought-after feature as global travel patterns evolve.
The timing is strategic. BLR Airport now connects to 114 passenger destinations 80 domestic and 34 international with key routes spanning Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Pune domestically, and Singapore, London Heathrow, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Kuala Lumpur internationally. Recent additions such as Hindon, Bidar and Silchar within India, alongside Dammam, Hanoi and Riyadh overseas, are further expanding its reach.
Infrastructure is also catching up with ambition. Developments including the West Cross Taxiway, Terminal 1 refurbishment and Terminal 2 expansion are laying the groundwork for higher capacity and smoother operations critical for any airport aiming to become a serious transfer hub.
Bangalore International Airport Limited chief operating officer Girish Nair framed the initiative as both a response to demand and a forward-looking play. He pointed to the growing depth of the airport’s network and the opportunity to build a more reliable transfer ecosystem that benefits both passengers and airline partners.
In an era where travel is as much about transitions as destinations, BLR Airport is betting that a seamless connection might just be the journey’s most important upgrade.
