MAM
MEC Global Solutions doubles its strategy team in one year
MUMBAI: MEC Global Solutions, MEC’s international hub based in London, has made a significant investment in talent, hiring three new faces to join its international strategy team in addition to the three senior strategists already in place.
Chris Worrell, Francis Turner and Filippo Giannelli have been headhunted to further strengthen the team, working on the agency’s international clients including Vodafone, SABMiller, Johnson & Johnson, Beiersdorf and Activision Blizzard.
Worrell, Turner and Giannelli join strategy partners Andy Reynolds and Shula Sinclair, creating a group of diversified talent and experience, headed by Global Solutions and EMEA chief strategy officer Stuart Sullivan-Martin.
Commenting on the appointments, Martin said, “MEC has a heritage of excellence in communications planning, and that’s all about A+ people. The team’s remit includes working with our regional and international clients, spreading the insight derived from our industry leading approach to the consumer purchase journey (MEC Momentum), and working alongside the talented strategists in MEC’s local markets on our new operating system for planning: Thrive5. The number of regional and global media relationships we have with clients is only going to increase – so this is an exciting time and we’re gearing for growth.”
Worrell joins as group strategy director, having more than 10 years’ experience working with clients such as McDonalds, Vodafone, Easyjet and Carlsberg. Previously he was insight director with OMD UK and held a European role with Specific Media. Worrell’s work has been covered by BBC, The Daily Mirror, Wall Street Journal and Sky News, and he is a sought after speaker at international industry events such as IAB Engage and DMEXCO.
Turner joins as strategy director with a background in PR. He has experience working with clients such as Mars Food, John Frieda and Group Lactalis, latterly as planning director at Zenith Optimedia. He is also an aspiring stand-up comedian.
Giannelli joins as a strategist. He comes to MEC from TBWA/OMD working with Apple, and previous to that an independent creative agency in Florence, Italy.
Shula Sinclair joined MEC as strategy partner in September 2013, from DraftFCB where she was regional planning director. After 17 years in the industry, Sinclair has expertise across numerous sectors including FMCG, finance, automotive, travel, and beauty. She has delivered a range of activity across multiple channels from ATL and digital to PR for a host of major brands including Hyundai, Oreo and Nivea. Her work has been recognised with several industry awards.
Andy Reynolds joined MEC as strategy partner earlier in 2014. He came from OMD where he was the executive director of strategy working as lead strategist on pan-regional clients such as Sony, PepsiCo and Nissan. He has a strong focus on integrated communications – ATL, digital in all its forms, and branded entertainment. Since joining MEC, his work with Paramount has won several industry awards, notably a gold at the recent M&M awards.
This announcement follows those made by the agency within digital, data and analytics, and cements MEC Global Solutions’ position as the Centre of International Excellence for clients across the EMEA region.
MAM
Dish TV shareholders approve three independent directors
99.49 per cent vote of confidence strengthens board as company expands into connected TV, e-commerce and OTT.
MUMBAI: Dish TV has just been served a near-perfect vote of confidence and the shareholders have dished it out in style. Shareholders of the DTH operator have approved the appointment of three new Independent Directors with an overwhelming 99.49 per cent approval. The three appointees are Mr Arun Kumar Kapoor, Ms Heena Naishadh Bhatt and Mr Ashok Anant Paranjpe.
The strong mandate reflects continued investor faith in the company’s strategy, disciplined execution and long-term value creation. It comes as Dish TV focuses on stabilising its core DTH business while actively scaling new verticals connected TV platform VZY, B2B e-commerce ShopZop, and OTT service Watcho to build a more diversified and resilient growth trajectory.
Dish TV India Limited, CEO & executive director Manoj Dhobhal said, “We are encouraged by the shareholders’ approval of the appointment of the Independent Directors and sincerely thank them for their continued trust and confidence. The Board is already benefiting from the Directors’ collective experience, which will further sharpen strategic focus and support disciplined execution.”
With a fresh, strengthened board in place, Dish TV is well positioned to navigate the evolving media landscape. In a sector where every percentage point matters, a 99.49 per cent thumbs-up is the kind of ringing endorsement that suggests the company’s recipe for the future is already tasting right.
