MAM
Pratik Bane steers his way to Starcom India
MUMBAI: Pratik Bane has swapped his perch at FCB Kinnect for a director’s chair at Starcom India, where he’s now steering media planning and strategy for a clutch of heavyweight brands. The move came in September. Bane previously handled several accounts at FCB Kinnect including TVS, Van Heusen, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, Canara Robeco Mutual Fund and Skechers as an account director media.
At FCB Kinnect, where he spent five years and nine months, Bane climbed from manager of media strategy to director of the data centre of excellence. In his final role, he drove data-driven strategies across the FCB Group in India, wielding tools like Mintel, GWI, SimilarWeb and Comscore to shape new business pitches and brand reviews.
The Mumbai-based strategist brings an arsenal of digital marketing skills honed across affiliate marketing, search engine advertising, display remarketing and paid social. His toolkit spans Google Analytics, Google Ads, Facebook Business Manager and Google Tag Manager. Before FCB Kinnect, he cut his teeth at Performics India managing affiliate and search marketing, and earlier still at Crisil Global Research & Analytics, where he ran sales and marketing for the Asia Pacific region.
Armed with an MBA in marketing and multiple certifications, Bane now faces the task of crafting campaigns that marry data with creativity. His passion, he says, is creating work that drives growth and value. With Starcom’s resources and his roster of blue-chip clients, he’ll get ample opportunity to prove it.
Brands
Goa Tourism draws strong trade interest at Satte 2026
Minister Rohan Khaunte backs year-round, responsible tourism drive
GOA: Goa Tourism wrapped up its participation at Satte 2026 on a confident note, reporting sustained engagement from domestic and international buyers at the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre.
The three-day travel trade exhibition saw the Goa pavilion attract steady footfall, following its inauguration by Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. Officials said the response reflected growing industry interest in the State’s shift towards regenerative and year-round tourism.
The delegation included Goa Tourism assistant director (tourism) Jayesh Kankonkar; Goa Tourism Development Corporation deputy general manager (marketing) Deepak Narvekar; and Goa Tourism assistant tourist officer Chitra Vengurlekar. The team held a series of B2B meetings with tour operators, travel trade representatives and destination management companies across key source markets.
Discussions centred on experiential travel, spiritual and cultural circuits, hinterland exploration, wellness, adventure tourism and off-season offerings: all aligned with Goa’s regenerative tourism roadmap. About 82 co-exhibitors, including hoteliers and DMCs, participated alongside the official delegation.
Minister for tourism Rohan A Khaunte, said the platform underscored Goa’s ambition to position itself as a progressive and resilient destination. The regenerative model, he argued, balances community interests, environmental safeguards and economic growth. Director of tourism Kedar Naik, described Satte as a crucial industry touchpoint, noting rising interest in Goa’s evolving tourism narrative beyond its beach image.
The pavilion received a participation memento in recognition of its active presence. Officials said the partnerships forged at Satte 2026 would bolster Goa’s competitiveness across domestic and international markets, as the State sharpens its pitch on sustainability, governance and community-led tourism.
