MAM
Kia shifts into top gear with Atul Sood as new sales and marketing head
MUMBAI: From driving growth at Toyota to taking the wheel at Kia, Atul Sood is all set for his next ride. Kia India has hit the accelerator on its leadership transformation, appointing Atul Sood as senior vice president of sales & marketing, effective 11 July 2025. A veteran of the Indian auto sector, Sood will lead Kia’s pan-India sales operations and marketing strategy, reporting directly to chief sales officer Joonsu Cho.
Bringing with him nearly 30 years of industry experience, Sood was most recently president and director at Toyota Mobility Solutions and Services India (TMSS), where he played a key role in steering innovation and business expansion. His previous stints at Toyota Kirloskar Motors and Toyota Motor Asia Pacific further cement his reputation as a strategic leader with a deep understanding of both market dynamics and customer needs.
Kia India’s MD & CEO Gwanggu Lee welcomed the appointment saying, “Atul’s proven track record in customer-first innovation and dealer network development makes him the ideal candidate to guide Kia through its next growth chapter. We’re confident his leadership will further our brand promise and strengthen our foothold in India’s mass-premium segment.”
An engineer from Thapar Institute and a PGDM holder from SCMHRD Pune, Sood brings a rare mix of operational rigour and marketing flair. His leadership comes at a time when Kia India is looking to expand its market share, grow its product footprint, and deepen customer relationships across metros and emerging markets alike.
Speaking on his new role, Sood said, “Joining Kia at such a pivotal moment in its India journey is truly exciting. The brand’s commitment to innovation, design, and customer delight aligns perfectly with my own values. I look forward to building on its strong foundation and driving sustainable growth across the country.”
With this appointment, Kia India signals its intent to keep up the momentum in one of the world’s fastest-evolving auto markets and if Sood’s track record is any indication, the ride ahead is going to be anything but ordinary.
Brands
Pocket FM elevates Lalit Gangwar to COO to drive global growth
Founding member to lead operations, monetisation and expansion across markets
MUMBAI: Pocket FM has elevated Lalit Gangwar to chief operating officer, tasking the founding team member with leading global business operations as the company sharpens its international growth strategy.
In his new role, Gangwar will oversee end-to-end operations across markets, including growth, monetisation and execution for the company’s audio business. The appointment comes as Pocket FM looks to strengthen its operating foundation and build a more predictable, scalable global business.
Gangwar has been closely involved in shaping the company’s trajectory from its early days. He played a key role in building the growth and marketing playbook in India, helping the platform scale to over 150 million users within its first year and establish a strong foothold in the audio storytelling category.
He later led Pocket FM’s expansion into the United States, where he set up teams, defined market strategy and drove scale, contributing significantly to the company’s international ambitions.
Pocket FM co-founder and CEO Rohan Nayak said, “Lalit has been central to Pocket FM’s journey from the very beginning. He has built our growth engine and scaled our business across markets.” He added that the company’s focus on nurturing internal talent makes Gangwar a natural choice to lead the next phase.
Gangwar said, “Pocket FM has always been driven by a simple belief that powerful stories can travel across borders and create meaningful impact.” He noted that the company will continue to focus on scaling markets, investing in AI-led storytelling and strengthening monetisation.
As COO, Gangwar is expected to bring greater operating discipline while building systems, talent and processes to support long-term growth.
With leadership continuity and a clear global focus, Pocket FM appears to be turning the page to its next chapter, one that aims to take its storytelling playbook well beyond home turf.
