MAM
OpenAI tunes in Vasundhara Mudgil for India role
MUMBAI: From playlists to prompt lists, Vasundhara Mudgil is tuning into a whole new frequency. The former head of communications at Spotify India has joined OpenAI as India communications lead, marking a major career shift from music streaming to machine learning.
Based in Mumbai, Mudgil will now lead OpenAI’s communications strategy in one of the company’s fastest-growing markets. Her role will focus on shaping the brand’s local voice, driving engagement, and aligning India’s narrative with OpenAI’s global mission.
At Spotify, Mudgil was instrumental in crafting the brand’s story during its India launch and steering its communications for over seven years. She built a distinct local identity for the platform while ensuring its messaging struck the right chord with both listeners and media.
Before her streaming stint, she headed communications at Intel India, where she drove brand messaging, managed external engagement, and navigated crisis communications. Her early career at Genesis Burson-Marsteller saw her managing high-profile clients across tech, telecom and media, steadily rising to associate partner.
With nearly two decades of experience in reputation management and strategic storytelling, Mudgil brings both tech fluency and creative finesse to OpenAI’s expanding India team. Looks like OpenAI’s next big story in India is ready to be well-communicated, and perfectly composed.
Brands
Radico Khaitan appoints Kunal Madan as chief marketing officer
Promotions signal focus on premium spirits, global expansion and homegrown leadership
UTTAR PRADESH: Radico Khaitan has elevated two long-serving insiders to its top leadership team, signalling a bold push into premium spirits and global markets. Kunal Madan steps in as chief marketing officer, while Sudhir Upadhyay takes charge as chief sales officer, both part of what managing director Abhishek Khaitan calls a consciously built next-generation leadership bench.
“At Radico Khaitan, our growth has always been powered by people,” Khaitan said. “True leadership is not imported, it is cultivated.” He added that empowering internal talent ensures continuity while keeping the company globally competitive and future-ready.
Madan, with over 20 years of experience across global sales and marketing, will drive brand architecture, marketing strategy, and the premiumisation agenda, including travel retail. Upadhyay, who has 25 years in the industry and was most recently national sales head, will oversee distribution expansion and execution across markets.
The leadership reshuffle comes amid Radico’s intensified focus on premium spirits, a segment driving higher margins and international growth. Last year, Ajay Kakkar was brought on to head the Premium On-Trade vertical, targeting modern and institutional channels to boost presence in high-growth segments.
Meanwhile, Amar Sinha stepped down as chief operating officer after contributing across multiple growth phases. Khaitan acknowledged Sinha’s role in supporting the company’s trajectory, while Sinha described his tenure as “an absolute privilege,” crediting Khaitan’s leadership for shaping the company’s strategic direction.
With a homegrown leadership bench and a clear premium agenda, Radico Khaitan is set to accelerate its global expansion while doubling down on brand elevation and market impact.
