MAM
Nissan appoints Saurabh Vatsa as deputy managing director
Mumbai: Nissan Motor India (NMIPL) has announced the appointment of Saurabh Vatsa as deputy managing director effective 15 January. Saurabh will report to managing director Rakesh Srivastava and will support in implementing the ongoing transformation roadmap for India as the company gets ready to deliver on the mid-term plan (MTP) and drive into our ambition 2030 goals. This appointment is reflective of the company’s transformation plan to meet the opportunities and challenges ahead for the automotive industry in India.
Saurabh has joined Nissan from Stellantis where he was a member of the Stellantis leadership team and was spearheading the Citroen brand since its inception in India and was responsible for all aspects of the business as brand head. Prior to Stellantis, Saurabh worked with general motors (GM) for over two decades including long-term assignments in South Korea among several key leadership roles within the company.
Saurabh comes with extensive experience across Asian markets along with deep knowledge of the automotive industry having worked within multiple strategic business functions such as product planning, program management, sales planning, marketing, communications and retail/commercial sales. Saurabh is a graduate of Delhi University, with an MBA from the International Management Institute and has completed an executive management program at the London Business School.
Speaking on the appointment, Nissan India operations president Frank Torres said, “We are excited to onboard Saurabh at Nissan Motor India as deputy managing director at this crucial juncture for the company as we head into 2024. His appointment underpins our commitment to invest $600m (Rs 5300 crores) in India as part of the Alliance and introduce more products for the Indian consumer as part of the transformation plan. We are certain, the next phase of growth for Nissan is going to be exciting for all of us as we build on the success of the Nissan Magnite.”
In this new role, he will support the leadership for Nissan’s transformation plan and prepare the company for its next phase as outlined by the company in 2023.
Brands
HP launches Smart Champs learning game show with JioStar for students
Sanya Malhotra hosts quiz series blending fun, learning and prizes
NEW DELHI: HP India has teamed up with JioStar to launch HP Smart Champs, a new learning-based game show designed to make education engaging for school students across the country.
Hosted by Sanya Malhotra, the 10-episode series brings together students from Grades 5 to 9, who compete in teams through quiz and puzzle-based challenges that test knowledge, logic and teamwork. The show will begin streaming on JioHotstar from April 11 and will premiere on Nick on April 18, with weekend episodes airing at 7 PM.
Powered by HP Smart Tank printers, the format integrates print-based learning into the gameplay, using worksheets, clues and visual problem-solving tools to encourage hands-on participation. The idea is to move students beyond rote memorisation and towards more applied, curiosity-led learning.
The competition promises high stakes, with winners set to receive a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh, while runners-up will take home Rs 5 lakh. Additional rewards include HP AI laptops, Smart Tank printers and accessories, while the winning school will be awarded an HP Smart Tech Lab.
Speaking about the initiative, HP India managing director Ipsita Dasgupta said, “At HP, we believe nurturing India’s youth is key to the country’s progress, and technology plays a foundational role in enabling this. With HP Smart Champs, we wanted to create something beyond traditional learning, a fun-filled platform where curiosity, creativity and critical thinking take centre stage.”
On the show’s reach, JioStar head entertainment sales Mahesh Shetty said, “HP Smart Champs reflects how children today learn through exploration and experience. With Nick and JioHotstar, we are creating a multi-screen approach that is both engaging and meaningful.”
Highlighting the role of print, HP India senior director print Satish Kumar said, “The show brings print-based learning to life in an engaging format, helping students develop deeper understanding through hands-on experiences.”
The journey to the finale began with participation from over 1,000 schools across 26 cities, narrowing down to 34 finalists who will compete in a studio showdown in Mumbai.
With its blend of entertainment, education and technology, HP Smart Champs is positioning itself as more than just a quiz show. It is a nationwide push to make learning interactive, accessible and, above all, a lot more fun.
