MAM
IndIAA Awards toast 10 years of creativity with grand Mumbai celebration
MUMBAI: Advertising rarely gets a standing ovation outside boardrooms, but the Indiaa Awards have spent a decade proving that creativity deserves the spotlight. On 7 October in Mumbai, the International Advertising Association (IAA) will host the 10th edition of its flagship celebration of creative excellence.
The milestone year brings together a distinguished jury, chaired by Meta managing director & country head Arun Srinivas and featuring heavyweights including Mohit Malhotra (CEO, Dabur India Limited), Kalpen Parekh (MD & CEO, DSP Mutual Fund), Anindita Veluri (director of marketing, Adobe India), Neil George (former MD, Nivea India / Abbott Nutrition India), and Promeet Ghosh (MD & CEO, Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd). Their task: to evaluate work that has already proven its mettle in the marketplace.
That’s the IndIAA difference. As IndIAA Awards vice president IAA and chairperson Jaydeep Gandhi explains, entries aren’t submitted by agencies or brands at all. Instead, a panel of senior editors from the marcom trade media handpicks the campaigns that have stood out in the clutter, ensuring that only the most impactful work makes it before the jury. From there, deliberations identify the winners campaigns that didn’t just win awards, but won over consumers first.
“This year marks a significant milestone as we celebrate the 10th edition of the awards for creative excellence,” said IAA president Abhishek Karnani, underscoring the spirit of the event.
Winners will be unveiled at the grand IndIAA Awards Nite, where not just agencies and brands, but all co-creators of the winning campaigns will be felicitated. It’s a nod to the industry’s collaborative DNA, where strategists, storytellers, directors, and designers together craft work that resonates.
With ten years behind it and countless campaigns celebrated, the IndIAA Awards remain a rare show where the applause is as authentic as the advertising it honours.
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.
