MAM
Gautam Talwar to replace Arvind Mohan as chief strategy officer for Rediffusion – Y & R
MUMBAI: Rediffusion Y&R has promoted Gautam Talwar as its chief strategy officer He takes over as head of the strategic planning function from Arvind Mohan who has decided to move on.
Talwar joined Rediffusion – Y&R in April 2010 as executive vice president–new business development and special projects. He brings to the table more than 14 years of experience in the advertising and entertainment space.
Rediffusion – Y&R president D. Rajappa said, “Gautam has been instrumental in leading the new business mandate at Rediffusion – Y&R. He is a Thinker and a New Media proponent who is well versed in brand strategy across different markets, with cross category experience amongst varied consumer segments.”
On his new assignment Talwar said, “Rediffusion – Y&R has always been respected for its commitment to building great brands. With this opportunity I hope to leverage my strategic strengths and build further on this legacy by creating meaningful communication that will deliver on brand objectives and create campaigns that will work for our clients and the agency.”
Prior to joining Rediffusion, Talwar was the creative and business head for Kaleidoscope Entertainment where he set up the mobile content division, developed original concepts and content for television and the mobile space. He was also the executive producer on two full length feature films.
Starting his career with Grey Worldwide, Talwar then moved to Lowe in account management and strategic planning.
At Grey, he worked on cross category brands like Johnson & Johnson, Cadbury Schweppes, Tropicana, Diageo, Emirates Airlines, Akai TV, TataTetley, Elf Lubricants and The Bombay Store.
He spent three years with Lowe & Partners – Middle East and North Africa (Dubai) as the regional account director on the Unilever business. At Lowe Dubai, he worked on Fair & Lovely, Lifebuoy, OMO, Rexona & Axe, Lux Progress, Signal and was the strategic planner for the juice brand in MENA – Almarai juices.
In his five years at Lowe Mumbai, he was the strategic planner on the skin and hair franchise for Unilever, planning on brands such as Fair& Lovely and Clinic franchise. He was also the planning force behind the very successful Balbir Pasha campaign for Population Services International.
Brands
Raj Cooling Systems launches Agreyas appliances brand
Emraan Hashmi named brand ambassador for consumer appliance push.
MUMBAI: A company known for cooling solutions is now heating up its ambitions in the home appliances market. Raj Cooling Systems Pvt. Ltd. has launched a new consumer appliances brand, Agreyas, marking its entry into India’s rapidly expanding home appliances sector valued at more than Rs 1.5 lakh crore. The move represents a strategic diversification for the company, which has traditionally focused on cooling solutions for residential, commercial and industrial applications. Through Agreyas, the firm plans to tap into growing consumer demand for energy efficient and technology driven household appliances.
To build brand visibility, Agreyas has appointed Emraan Hashmi as its brand ambassador. The campaign has been developed under the banner of Zoommantra Productions, with actor and filmmaker Rohit Roy contributing to the creative direction.
The brand’s initial portfolio will include mid premium air conditioners, washing machines, geysers and other white goods designed to cater to modern Indian households seeking efficient and reliable appliances.
Raj Cooling Systems, founder and chairman Kalpesh Ramoliya said the launch aligns with the company’s broader expansion plans.
“The launch of Agreyas is in line with our vision to build a strong presence in India’s consumer electronics and home appliances market. The brand has been developed as a standalone identity to meet the evolving needs of Indian consumers,” he said.
Hashmi said the collaboration comes at a time when Indian buyers are increasingly looking for innovative and functional home solutions.
“I’m looking forward to working with Agreyas at a time when consumers are seeking more innovative and efficient home products. The brand reflects changing consumer behaviour around functionality, innovation and ease of use,” he said.
Raj Cooling Systems plans to invest around 10 million dollars in developing the brand, with an additional 5 million dollars earmarked over the next three to five years for product development and distribution expansion.
Agreyas will follow a multi channel distribution approach, selling through online platforms, retail outlets and dealer networks aimed at both urban and semi urban markets across India.
With the launch, the company is positioning Agreyas as a standalone consumer facing brand while continuing to leverage its existing manufacturing, engineering and research capabilities built through its core cooling solutions business.
