MAM
PayTM’s Vijay Shekhar Sharma to chair IAMAI Payments Banks Group
Mumbai: PayTM founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma will chair the newly formed Payments Banks Group at the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) while Vodafone India business head (M-Pesa) Suresh Sethi will be the vice-chairman of the group.
Commenting on the development, Sharma said, “Payments Banks is an innovative model of bringing unbanked population into the formal banking fold. PayTM along with other license holders, would make financial services accessible for every Indian through this innovative route.”
Currently, 6 out of the 10 payments banks’ primary licensees are IAMAI members. According to President Subho Ray, “the other 4 primary licensees have in principal agreed to join when they are in operation.”
In addition, IAMAI has more than 50 companies representing PPIs, Wallets, Aggregators, Business Correspondents, and PoS Operators among others as members.
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.
