MAM
HT management rejig sees Ghose as Mumbai head, Thota leads new initiatives
MUMBAI: Spurred by the twin success of its Mumbai launch and recent IPO, Hindustan Times is accelerating action on new initiatives.
And the man charged with the responsibility of rolling out new initiatives (read editions) is Ranganathan Thota, who led the launch of the paper in Mumbai. Thota moves to New Delhi with immediate effect and in his place, taking over as vice president and business head of West and South, is Sandip Ghose, who will be relocating to Mumbai.
Says HT Media Ltd CEO Rajiv Verma, “Ranganathan has been instrumental in the successful launch of the Mumbai edition and we are going to use his expertise in new ventures. Sandip’s experience will be used to consolidate our position in Mumbai.”
Thota joined HT Media in mid-January 2005 and Ghose, who quit ABP Group in December last year, was brought in to play a key role in HT’s Mumbai launch.
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.
