MAM
IAA appoints Srinivasan Swamy as president
MUMBAI: International Advertising Association India Chapter has unanimously elected RK Swamy BBDO chairman and MD Srinivasan Swamy as president for the year 2012-2013 at the Annual General Meeting on 2 November.
Swamy was the VP of the association for the year 2011-2012.
Swamy said, “In today‘s global economy, associations like the IAA play a pivotal role in building cross- cultural bridges, and in ensuring a seamless transition of ideas and interests across the world”.
Since the IAA represented marketers, agencies and the media, it had a very important role to play in developing the communication industry in the country and across the globe, he added.
Swamy said that apart from the Olive Crown awards and the other regular activities that the IAA conducts, he would make a concerted effort to spread the activities of the India Chapter to different parts of the country. Another thrust area would be to get mid-sized agencies and media houses to get further involved in the activities of the IAA so that they could benefit from the involvement and participation.
He is replacing Reliance Industries president- Brand Strategy and Marketing Communication Kaushik Roy who was the president of IAA India Chapter for two years.
Roy said, “As I bid adieu, post my two year stint as the president of the IAA India Chapter, I feel happy to have been a part of this eventful roster of events. I have to thank Mr Pradeep Guha (VP and Area Director (Asia Pacific) of the IAA), for orchestrating this CEO Delegation 2012 that saw 23 top-ranking professionals, from across marketing, advertising and the media. My grateful thanks to all my Mancom colleagues who have been so generous with their time to support all the programmes we have had in the last two years.”
Meanwhile, Crayons Advertising MD Kunal Lalani will be taking over the role of VP of the association, replacing Swamy.
Kunal Lalani, MD of Crayons Advertising has been appointed Vice President of the Association.
Turner International India GM- Entertainment Networks – South Asia Monica Tata will take over the responsibility of honorary secretary, while Jaya Advertising director and chairman Jaideep Gandhi will play the role of treasurer.
The managing committee members elected are Avinash Pandey (MCCS COO), M.G.Parameswaran (Draftfcb + Ulka Advertising executive director and CEO), Neeraj Roy (Hungama Digital Media Entertainment MD and CEO), Raj Nayak (Colors CEO) and Sam Balsara (Madison World chairman and MD) and the new Committee also co-opted Ramesh Narayan (Canco Advertising co-founder), Shreyams Kumar (The Mathrubhumi Ptg and Pbg director), Arunabh Das Shrama (BCCl president), Abhisek Karnani, Manish Advani (Mahindra SSG head marketing and PR) and Neville Taraporewala (Microsoft director India Advertiser and Publisher Solutions Group).
The India Chapter of IAA (IC-IAA) was incorporated in July 1991 to constitute a local Chapter of the global body.
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.
