MAM
IIGC kicks off Bengaluru chapter with bold moves
MUMBAI: The Indian Influencer Governing Council (IIGC) turned up the volume on India’s booming creator economy with its third official chapter, held at Taj Bangalore, and used the stage to make a headline-grabbing declaration: December 2 will now be observed as World Influencer Day.
The high-energy gathering brought together over 100 voices from the creatorverse—marketing heads, digital honchos, platform leaders, and star content creators. It wasn’t just selfies and speeches, though. The event introduced IIGC Protect, a major initiative focused on legal literacy and mental wellness for influencers, in collaboration with Trilegal, United We Care, and Adayu (Fortis).
Among the key speakers were Nikhil Sachdeva (partner, Trilegal), Rana Atheya (VP – business, United We Care), Sachin Baliga (advisor – neuromodulation, Fortis), and creator Aneri Thakkar, who addressed the growing need for psychological and legal safeguards in what remains an unregulated digital jungle.
Adding teeth to its governance efforts, IIGC also launched a Taskforce and outlined a Code of Standards for brands and creators. Key voices like Varun Oberoi (VP, marketing & comms, Nissin), Jaikishin Chhaproo (head – media & PR, ITC Ltd), Gaurang Thosani (head – digital & e-sales, Royal Sundaram), and Aparajita Mukherjee (head – brands in culture, Diageo) shared best practices on responsible influencing.
BBC Media Action Tej Prakash Yadav said, “Influencers have the power to spark change, ignite conversations that matter, and build something bigger than a brand: a movement. Influencing for Good adds depth to social capital, strengthens credibility, and shows the world the human behind the handle.”
Gunjan Taneja (@Gunjanshouts), added, “Being an influencer is not about the number of followers or views, but the impact we are able to create. We need to consider that with our every word, action and recommendation one or several of our followers will buy the product or service with their hard earned money. Which is why it is our responsibility as creators to be cautious of what we say, with maturity and sensibility before we put out content.”
IIGC chairman & founding member, Sahil Chopra led the felicitation ceremony that honored board members, as well as winners of the Indian Influencer Ratings Weekly Picks, which recognizes both “Trendsetters” and emerging “Underdoggs.”
With three power-packed chapters under its belt, IIGC continues its mission to professionalise, protect, and celebrate India’s creator economy—one policy push, one punchline, and one post at a time.
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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.
