MAM
IAA to host summit on ‘Gender Sensitisation In Media: Voice Of Change’
Mumbai: International Advertising Association (IAA), India chapter is hosting a summit on Gender Sensitisation In Media on the 29 July at ITC Maratha, Andheri, Mumbai.
The theme is Gender Portrayal across the creative spectrum from a 30 seconds TVC to a three Hour film. Prominent voices of the industry will be speaking on why it is of paramount importance to ‘break the bias’ that surrounds the industry when it comes to gender depiction.
The summit shall witness prominent industry bodies and partners such as like ASCI, UNICEF, Tata Institute Of Social Sciences, Unstereotype Alliance and Akshara Centre along with Chief Guest Poonam Mahajan and prominent voices like Vidya Balan, Deepika Warrier, Monika Shergill, Anupama Chopra, Santosh Desai, Nandita Das, Ranveer Brar, Tista Sen, Anuradha Sengupta and many more.
The Voice Of Change was started as a behaviour change communication initiative which was aimed at addressing the skewed portrayal of gender in the field of advertising and communication with the launch of the ‘Geena Davis’ study with Unicef, in September 2021, the IAA – India took the first step towards effective change. The facts presented in the study, based on the evaluation of more than thousand plus ads, showed a disturbing trend of widespread gender stereotyping and prejudice. Sore truths were discovered about how women and other genders are seen, their abject objectification and pigeon holing.
On the backdrop of such ground-breaking research being done, the IAA has stepped up to bring all this knowledge and more out in the public eye under an umbrella banner through this summit. The aim is to ensure that the discourse reaches the right people and sensitises all creative minds and industry forces to drive palpable change.
IAA aims to sanction change through influential and evocative dialogue to enable effective change.
Speaking about the summit, IAA India president Megha Tata said, “IAA has always brought forward initiatives that are meaningful and gender sensitive, on and off screen and has also been the one who has always taken the lead on this issue in the industry. We felt that it is time for all of us to come together and be the voice of change. We want to address the dialogue of gender discrimination across the media spectrum and hope we will collectively bring much needed change in the system.”
“Over the last decade, women have broken stereotypes in this industry both behind the scenes and on the screen. It’s time we tell more of those stories and break biases. Through this change summit, the IAA brings prominent industry voices to communicate, converge and be the Voices Of Change that we need to empower the narrative,” said IAA Women Empowerment Committee chairperson and Viacom 18 Hindi and Kids TV Network head Nina Elavia Jaipuria.
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.
