MAM
GroupM India appoints Vipasha Bhuptani as national head of communications planning
MUMBAI: GroupM India has appointed Vipasha Bhuptani as national head of communications planning. She joins from Mindshare, where she held a similar role for over three years.
Bhuptani brings 17 years of experience across advertising, marketing and communications to her new position. Her career includes significant stints at leading agencies including Leo Burnett Orchard, Ogilvy & Mather and Saatchi & Saatchi UK, where she worked with major brands across India, Southeast Asia, and Central and Eastern Europe.
At Ogilvy, she notably led the strategic repositioning of Asian Paints and helped drive growth for Unilever’s Red Label tea brand. Her work has earned recognition through various awards including Effie India, Effie Asia Pacific and WARC.
Prior to her time at Mindshare, Bhuptani served as head of strategic planning at Leo Burnett Orchard, where she worked with clients including Ensure, Ola, DBS Bank and Bajaj Allianz.
MAM
Ameya Velankar steps down as Uber’s head of marketing for India & South Asia
Veteran marketer exits after more than seven years with the ride-hailing giant.
MUMBAI: After more than seven years of steering Uber through the bumpy roads of India’s mobility market, Ameya Velankar has decided to change lanes. Ameya Velankar has stepped down as Head of Marketing for India and South Asia, marking the end of a significant chapter at the ride-hailing company. He had been with Uber since 2019, taking on multiple roles in product and category marketing before rising to lead the marketing function for the region in 2021.
During his tenure, Velankar played a key role in strengthening Uber’s positioning in one of its most competitive and dynamic markets. He helped drive localised marketing strategies and scale adoption across key offerings such as Auto, Moto, Rentals and Intercity, tailoring global platforms to Indian consumer needs.
Prior to joining Uber, Velankar built his marketing expertise at leading consumer companies including SC Johnson and Marico, where he handled category and product leadership roles. His career began at RPG Enterprises.
Details of his next professional move have not been disclosed.
In a fast-evolving mobility landscape where brands constantly battle for attention, Ameya Velankar helped Uber stay relevant and resonant with millions of Indian users. As he moves on from the driver’s seat of marketing, the company will now look for fresh ideas to keep its wheels turning smoothly.
