MAM
Franklin Templeton to be the investment partner for all Procam distance running events in india
MUMBAI: Procam International, pioneers of distance running events in India, announced its partnership with Franklin Templeton, one of India’s largest* fund houses, as Investment Partner for all their four world-class running events. The association is slated to start with Tata Mumbai Marathon on January 19, 2020.
Franklin Templeton aims to use a digital first approach to engage the runner community, with innovative offerings towards increased financial security.
Today, running is the fastest growing participative sport in India. Procam running events have played a pivotal role in this transformation – from starting a health & fitness revolution that spawned over 1400 races in the country, to creating a springboard for Indian long- and middle-distance runners. Re-enforcing bonds with civil society, these events have become a beacon of humanity and compassion.
The road has been a great leveler and distance running has transcended boundaries to become a Sport for All – beyond politics, religion, race, colour and gender.
Franklin Templeton believes that investing is not a 100-meter dash, but a marathon. There are many similarities in skill, character and attitude between a successful marathon runner and a successful investor. When one speaks about a marathon runner, the quality that repeatedly finds mention is physical stamina and when it comes to investing as well, it’s about the mental and emotional stamina that is needed to navigate the ups and downs of the market.
Franklin Templeton released a campaign called the “Marathon of Life” that helps the viewer draw inspiration from nine real life stories of marathon runners. It highlights important traits like being resilient, stepping up, having a goal, starting early, taking risk, diversifying efforts, power of compounding, importance of a guide and the importance of starting the journey anytime irrespective of your age. These resonate with principles of successful long-term investing.
Mr. Sanjay Sapre, President, Franklin Templeton – India, on the association said, “The growing focus on fitness, health and wellness is evident and certainly a step in the right direction. It is equally important for people to focus on their financial health and wellness. Our partnership with Procam as an ‘Investment Partner’ is an ideal match, as we find a lot of common ground between long-distance running and investing. This includes many aspects like coaching, discipline, resilience, and the ability to master one’s emotions. We encourage investors to participate and excel in their own Marathon of Life.”
Speaking on the partnership, Anil Singh, Managing Director, Procam International, said, “The support of our sponsors has been instrumental in the accelerated growth and success of distance running. We have always believed in cementing long-term partnerships, beyond return on investment. It is our pleasure to welcome aboard the globally renowned Franklin Templeton as our Investment Partner starting from TMM 2020. Franklin Templeton draws a synonymous co-relation with running marathons, life and investments. We are privileged with this visionary approach and as partners, we look forward to providing runners across the globe a new experience.”
The partnership is set to kick off through one of the Franklin Templeton’s key campaign for all TMM 2020 – My Journey Video. It captures a runner's performance across the duration of the Tata Mumbai Marathon 2020 and highlights key statistics of their pace, and split timings.
Tata Mumbai Marathon 2020 is scheduled to take place on 19th January 2020 and the 17th edition is expected to witness over 50,000 participants on the streets of Maximum city.
Brands
Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen to step down after 18 years in role
Board begins CEO search as Narayen prepares to move to chair role
SAN JOSE: After nearly two decades at the helm, Adobe’s long-serving chief executive Shantanu Narayen is preparing to pass the baton.
The company announced that Narayen will transition from his role as chief executive officer once a successor is appointed, ending an 18-year run that reshaped Adobe from a boxed software seller into a global cloud and AI powerhouse. He will remain chair of the board following the leadership transition.
Adobe’s board has formed a special committee to oversee the succession process, led by lead independent director Frank Calderoni. The committee will evaluate both internal and external candidates.
“Shantanu’s leadership has been instrumental in Adobe’s transformation and in positioning the company for the AI-driven era,” Calderoni said in a statement. “As we begin the next phase of succession planning, our focus is on identifying the right leader for the company’s next chapter while ensuring a smooth transition.”
In a note to employees, Narayen described the moment not as a farewell but as a pause for reflection after a long journey with the company.
“I love Adobe and the privilege of leading it has been the greatest honour of my career,” he wrote, adding that he will continue to work closely with the board over the coming months to ensure a seamless leadership change.
Tributes from the technology industry quickly followed the announcement. Microsoft chairman and chief executive officer Satya Nadella congratulated Narayen on what he described as a “legendary run” at Adobe.
“Congrats Shantanu, on a legendary run at Adobe! You’ve built one of the most important software companies in the world, and expanded what’s possible for creators, entrepreneurs, and brands everywhere,” Nadella wrote on LinkedIn.
“What has always stood out to me is the empathy you’ve brought to the creative process and the example you’ve set as a leader. Grateful for your friendship, mentorship, and for all you’ve done for Adobe and for our industry.”
Narayen’s career at Adobe spans nearly three decades. He joined the company in 1998 as vice president and rose steadily through the ranks before becoming chief executive officer in December 2007.
During that time, he orchestrated one of the most significant reinventions in the software industry. In 2013, Adobe made the bold decision to abandon traditional boxed software sales and move its flagship creative tools such as Photoshop to a subscription-based Creative Cloud model. The shift initially rattled investors but ultimately transformed Adobe into a predictable recurring revenue business and a case study in digital reinvention.
Narayen also pushed Adobe beyond creative tools into the world of marketing technology and data-driven customer experience, spearheading acquisitions such as Omniture and Marketo. Those moves helped build Adobe’s digital experience division and broaden its reach far beyond designers and photographers.
The numbers tell the story of that transformation. When Narayen took over in 2007, Adobe generated roughly $3 billion in annual revenue. Today the company reports more than $25 billion. Over the same period, its workforce expanded from around 3,000 employees to more than 30,000.
In recent years, Narayen has steered Adobe into the generative AI era with the launch of Adobe Firefly, aiming to keep the company ahead in a rapidly evolving creative technology landscape.
Born in Hyderabad in 1963, Narayen studied electronics and communication engineering at Osmania University before moving to the United States for a master’s degree in computer science from Bowling Green State University. He later earned an MBA from the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley.
Widely regarded as one of Silicon Valley’s most steady and effective leaders, Narayen has earned multiple honours during his career, including India’s Padma Shri in 2019.
For Adobe, the upcoming leadership change marks the end of a defining chapter. For Narayen, however, the story is far from finished. As he told employees, the company’s next era of creativity, powered by AI and new digital workflows, is only just beginning.
