MAM
Havas Media appoints Gaurav Pandey as group director – technology
MUMBAI: Havas Media India has appointed Gaurav Pandey as group director – technology. He will be responsible for the company’s technology direction with focus on quality and efficiency across mobile, web and social media applications.
He will report to Havas Media India digital head Ranjoy Dey.
Pandey will work closely with Mobext, India senior manager Soumitro Ganguly.
Mobext is the mobile marketing arm from Havas Media Group. With India fast becoming a mobile first market, Mobext is adept at delivering marketing, technology and services, across mobile environments. Launched in 2007, Mobext was one of the first agencies to offer specialised end-to-end mobile marketing services within the global arena.
Havas Media Group India CEO Anita Nayyar said, “Havas Media is gearing towards delivering the best in class marketing technology and mobile solutions to clients and brands. Gaurav with his tech-expertise will ensure great quality solutions in this domain along with Soumitro. Gaurav has the requisite experience and is an innovator. His mandate is to identify, exploit and integrate technology driven solutions and leverage our existing technology infrastructure and mobile strength across the Havas Media business units in India.”
Dey added, “At Havas Media we consistently strive to execute digital media the way the consumer sees it, to deliver the most memorable experience. Gaurav has the knack of mentally approaching solutions from a brand perspective to connect with the consumer, where media and technology are an integral part of each other. His deep knowledge of both will go a long way in an environment when the businesses are becoming either Mobile Only, Mobile First, or Have to Be on Mobile.”
Brands
KKR sixes to power EV charger rollout under VIDA campaign
Cricket meets clean mobility as big hits spark India’s charging growth
NEW DELHI: VIDA, the electric mobility arm of Hero MotoCorp, has teamed up with Kolkata Knight Riders to launch a campaign that turns cricketing flair into real-world impact.
Titled ‘6 for 6’, the initiative promises to install a 6kW fast EV charger for every six hit by KKR during the ongoing Indian Premier League season. The idea is simple but powerful, as each big hit on the field contributes directly to expanding India’s fast-charging infrastructure.
The campaign builds on VIDA’s growing network, which already spans over 5,300 fast-charging points across more than 430 cities. With EV adoption gaining pace, the brand is using cricket’s mass appeal to accelerate both awareness and infrastructure growth.
Explaining the thinking behind the move, Hero MotoCorp emerging mobility business unit chief business officer Kausalya Nandakumar said, “Cricket has an incredible ability to unite and inspire millions across the country. With the ‘6 for 6’ campaign, we are turning every big hit on the field into a step towards a cleaner and a more accessible mobility future.”
She added that VIDA’s expanding fast-charging network and removable battery technology are designed to make EV ownership more convenient and practical for everyday users.
From the franchise’s side, the campaign is also about giving on-field moments a larger purpose. Kolkata Knight Riders chief executive officer Venky Mysore said, “The ‘6 for 6’ campaign exemplifies the potential of sport as a platform for meaningful, real-world impact. By linking every six to the expansion of EV charging infrastructure, this partnership transforms fan excitement into tangible progress.”
As part of the rollout, VIDA has introduced co-branded charging stations in KKR’s signature colours, with a flagship installation unveiled alongside team players. The chargers are designed for quick top-ups, powering VIDA scooters from zero to 80 percent in about an hour, while also being positioned along key highways to support longer journeys.
The initiative also taps into VIDA’s removable battery system, which allows users to charge using standard household plug points, adding flexibility to the charging ecosystem.
By blending the thrill of cricket with the urgency of clean mobility, VIDA and KKR have found a neat way to make every six count twice, once on the scoreboard and again on India’s road to an electric future.
