MAM
Havas appoints Mediacom’s Karl Wu as Greater China CEO
MUMBAI: Havas Media Group has appointed media and marketing specialist, Karl Wu, as the CEO for Greater China. Based in Beijing, Wu will be responsible for Havas’s brands — Havas Media and Arena Media, as well as Havas Group pure player agencies Socialyse, Affiperf, Ecselis and Mobext. The media group currently has five offices in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Wu joins the agency with an impressive track record in integrated marketing and advertising space, having held senior roles both on the agency and the client side. He was most recently the COO of Mediacom China and concurrently the Asia Pacific Managing Director of one of the agency’s largest clients – Volkswagen.
Prior to joining Mediacom, Wu led Digital Marketing for Nokia as Marketing Director for Asia Pacific as well as China. He has also held senior positions at Dentsu Aegis Media and Publicis Vivaki, and his experience on the brand side extends to blue chip companies such as Intel and NBA in China, and Bell Canada in Toronto Canada.
Wu will report to the Global Executive Committee represented by Christophe Cases, who will relinquish his role as CEO of Greater China but continue to be based in China in his global role as Deputy Global Managing Director of Havas Media Group.
Cases said, “We are delighted to have Karl as CEO for Greater China. He is a very important hire for us and integral to our ambition for this market as we strengthen our client-centred collaborative model. Karl brings with him an international mindset and deep knowledge of not only China market but Asia Pacific as a whole. His experience in leadership roles both on the agency and the client side will be a definite asset as we move our business to next level of growth.”
Wu said, “I have been on both sides of the table, and I can see the changes needed for our industry to deliver better customer value. Havas Group not only has the vision and strategy but has also started executing to that vision. The Havas Village integration is an example of the many initiatives that will ultimately re-shape our industry. I am excited about what the future holds and looking forward to my new role.”
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.
