MAM
Ipsos India launches TrueFace
MUMBAI: Ipsos India has launched TrueFace, an indigenously developed recruitment screening app, for Qualitative research.
Developed by the Ipsos India Mobile First team,the app uses face recognition technology in real time which helps identify repeat respondents. This is of utmost importance to field and research teams when they are recruiting respondents across categories.
“As a part of our Mobile First initiatives, we are focusing on developing propositions in the digital space – TrueFace is a step in that direction,” says Raja Bunet, Executive Director, Mobile First & New Initiatives, Ipsos India.
Ashwini Sirsikar, Country Service Line Leader, Ipsos UU, India said, “Repeat respondent is a big issue which all market research agencies are dealing with. In qualitative research,it is criticalto get the right respondent – someone who is not a professional, is of a correct profile and not a repeat respondent. After all, the quality of the insight hinges on the quality of the respondent. Given this challenge, Ipsos decided to lean on technology to address this issue of repeat respondents.”
Bunet feels it’s a game changer: “Apart from the Face Recognition functionality, which is a part of the app, with real time results, the proposition also includes multimedia capabilities and an interactive dashboard, which will deliver status of recruitments, question-wise responses and outcome of face recognition, to be used by Ipsos UU (qualitative research team) and field teams.”
Sirsikar added: “We have the first mover advantage as this app is unique to Ipsos. It will free up a lot of researchers’ time.”
Technology firm, Crownit, has partnered with Ipsos India, in this initiative.
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.
