MAM
Prasun Basu is Millward Brown South Asia MD
MUMBAI: Brand, media and communications research company Millward Brown has appointed Prasun Basu to the post of managing director for the South Asia Region.
Basu will report in to Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific (AMAP) CEO Travyn Rhall and will join the AMAP executive board. He will be based in Mumbai.
Basu replaces Shishir Varma who served as Indian operations MD for five years. He will be taking on the role of chief client officer for the AMAP region and will be based out of Dubai.
Basu‘s responsibilities in the new post involve leading Millward Brown‘s operations across India and also expanding operations in South Asia. Millward Brown currently has offices in Mumbai, Gurgaon and Bangalore.
Basu said, “I am delighted to have been appointed to lead Millward Brown across South Asia at such an exciting time for both the region and our company‘s development. From its set-up in 2008, the organization has grown significantly under Shishir‘s leadership. As relationships with our clients mature, it becomes more important than ever that we continue to provide our clients with the very best consumer-based advice on managing their marketing investments, as branding and the role of media increases in importance across the rapidly-changing but incredibly diverse region”.
Basu joined Millward Brown in May 2011 as managing director of the East Africa operations, before he went on to lead the newly-formed Middle East and North Africa business units. Prior to Millward Brown, he was at Nielsen for five years in a number of positions, the latest being head of consumer research for the India Region as well as head of BASES for Africa, Middle East and India.
Rhall said, “Prasun is a hugely experienced researcher with a proven track record who will lead the business to best serve our clients in this increasingly important region. His rare management talent and passion for the business of brands make him an invaluable addition to both the India and regional management teams.”
Brands
KKR sixes to power EV charger rollout under VIDA campaign
Cricket meets clean mobility as big hits spark India’s charging growth
NEW DELHI: VIDA, the electric mobility arm of Hero MotoCorp, has teamed up with Kolkata Knight Riders to launch a campaign that turns cricketing flair into real-world impact.
Titled ‘6 for 6’, the initiative promises to install a 6kW fast EV charger for every six hit by KKR during the ongoing Indian Premier League season. The idea is simple but powerful, as each big hit on the field contributes directly to expanding India’s fast-charging infrastructure.
The campaign builds on VIDA’s growing network, which already spans over 5,300 fast-charging points across more than 430 cities. With EV adoption gaining pace, the brand is using cricket’s mass appeal to accelerate both awareness and infrastructure growth.
Explaining the thinking behind the move, Hero MotoCorp emerging mobility business unit chief business officer Kausalya Nandakumar said, “Cricket has an incredible ability to unite and inspire millions across the country. With the ‘6 for 6’ campaign, we are turning every big hit on the field into a step towards a cleaner and a more accessible mobility future.”
She added that VIDA’s expanding fast-charging network and removable battery technology are designed to make EV ownership more convenient and practical for everyday users.
From the franchise’s side, the campaign is also about giving on-field moments a larger purpose. Kolkata Knight Riders chief executive officer Venky Mysore said, “The ‘6 for 6’ campaign exemplifies the potential of sport as a platform for meaningful, real-world impact. By linking every six to the expansion of EV charging infrastructure, this partnership transforms fan excitement into tangible progress.”
As part of the rollout, VIDA has introduced co-branded charging stations in KKR’s signature colours, with a flagship installation unveiled alongside team players. The chargers are designed for quick top-ups, powering VIDA scooters from zero to 80 percent in about an hour, while also being positioned along key highways to support longer journeys.
The initiative also taps into VIDA’s removable battery system, which allows users to charge using standard household plug points, adding flexibility to the charging ecosystem.
By blending the thrill of cricket with the urgency of clean mobility, VIDA and KKR have found a neat way to make every six count twice, once on the scoreboard and again on India’s road to an electric future.
