MAM
Pinterest names Soniya Monga from TikTok as VP of global agency sales
MUMBAI: Whether you’re sketching the blueprint of your dream tattoo, curating the perfect product showcase for your e-commerce venture, or piecing together the wedding of a lifetime, Pinterest has become the visual sanctuary where ideas come to life.
It’s where inspiration takes flight, a platform transforming everyday moments into extraordinary visions.
And now, leading this global powerhouse into a new chapter of creativity and collaboration, Pinterest has appointed Soniya Monga as its vice president of global agency sales. With her at the helm, Pinterest’s connection to the world’s most creative minds promises to grow even stronger, blending innovation, strategy, and boundless inspiration into a canvas that’s truly global.
Monga brings a wealth of experience from her tenure at leading technology companies. She previously served as head of US agency partnerships at TikTok, where she managed relationships with major agency holding companies and developed go-to-market strategies for top agency groups in the United States.
Before her time at TikTok, Monga held leadership positions at Snap Inc., LinkedIn, and Microsoft. At Snap Inc., she led global agency partnerships, empowering agencies and brands to leverage the platform’s advertising opportunities. Her tenure at LinkedIn began in 2010 as one of the earliest employees of LinkedIn Canada, where she contributed to building the company’s advertising business. She later relocated to Hong Kong to manage strategic brand relationships across north Asia, including Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and China.
Monga holds a bachelor of arts in international economics from McGill University. She has been recognised for her contributions to the industry, including being named to Marketing Magazine’s Top 30 Under 30 in 2013. Additionally, she has served on the board of New York Women in Communications, an organisation dedicated to empowering women in the communications field.
Expressing her enthusiasm for the new role, Monga stated, “Pinterest is a platform I’ve long admired for its vision and its unique position as a visual search and discovery tool. I’m excited to help grow its role as a positive space for consumers and brands alike.”
Pinterest’s chief revenue officer, Bill Watkins commented on the appointment, stating, “Soniya has a stellar record of building agency business from the ground up, combining strategic vision, product expertise, and operational excellence. We’re thrilled to welcome her leadership as we continue to strengthen our agency business.”
Monga’s appointment comes as Pinterest continues to expand its advertising offerings and strengthen its position as a visual discovery platform. Her extensive experience in building and managing agency partnerships is expected to play a pivotal role in driving the company’s growth in the advertising sector.
MAM
Raghu Rai passes away at 83, leaves behind iconic legacy
Padma Shri-winning photographer documented history across 5 decades.
MUMBAI: The lens may have stilled, but the stories it captured will never fade. Raghu Rai, one of India’s most celebrated photojournalists, passed away on April 26, 2026, at the age of 83. He breathed his last at a private hospital in New Delhi after battling cancer and age-related health issues.
His son, Nitin Rai, revealed that Rai had been diagnosed with prostate cancer two years ago, which later spread to the stomach and, more recently, the brain. Despite multiple rounds of treatment, his health had declined in recent months.
Born in 1942 in Jhang, Punjab (now in Pakistan), Rai entered photography in his early twenties, inspired by his elder brother, photographer S. Paul. Beginning his career in the mid-1960s, he went on to build a body of work that spanned more than five decades, contributing to global publications such as Time, Life, GEO, Le Figaro, The New York Times, Vogue, GQ and Marie Claire.
His global recognition took a decisive leap in 1977 when legendary French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson nominated him to join Magnum Photos, placing him among the world’s most respected visual storytellers.
Rai’s lens chronicled both power and poignancy. He photographed towering figures such as Indira Gandhi, Dalai Lama, Bal Thackeray, Satyajit Ray and Mother Teresa, while also documenting defining moments like the Bhopal gas tragedy later captured in his book Exposure: A Corporate Crime.
Over the years, he published more than 18 books, building an archive that blended journalism with artistry. His contributions were recognised early when he was awarded the Padma Shri in 1972 for his coverage of the Bangladesh War and refugee crisis. In 1992, he was named “Photographer of the Year” in the United States for his work in National Geographic, and in 2009, he was honoured with the Officier des Arts et des Lettres by the French government.
Rai is survived by his wife Gurmeet, son Nitin, and daughters Lagan, Avani and Purvai. His last rites will be held at Lodhi Cremation Ground in New Delhi at 4 pm on Sunday.
With his passing, Indian photojournalism loses not just a pioneer, but a patient observer of history, one frame at a time.
