MAM
Promart Retail brings McCann on board as creative partner
MUMBAI: Promart Retail, a chain of stores based on the discounted retail chain and value format concept, has decided to go with IPG’s McCann Erickson as its creative agency. This is the first time that Promart planned to hire a full-fledged creative agency.
The agency’s Mumbai office will handle the account. Up until now, the creative duties for Promart were being handled by an in-house team. As a part of this mandate, McCann Mumbai will be responsible for all brand communications.
The development is the result of a multi-agency pitch process that was held in Mumbai.
Promart MD Ashish Garg said, “We are happy to have McCann as our creative partner as the agency will be responsible for providing 360 degree creative inputs on print, store visuals and retail merchandising to start with. McCann has a proven track record in building iconic brand strategies which will help elevate the positioning of our brand.TV and social media will be looked upon at a later stage as we are a relatively new and are a growing brand.”
Promart CEO Punit Agarwal said, “We were quite impressed with McCann, as after a multi-agency pitch, they came across as the best choice in terms of understanding the brief and what they could bring to the table. Their innovative approach to positioning brand Promart helped the agency clinch this win. The new concept of Promart’s business was easily understood by the team and we feel their level of understanding is aligned with our strategic roadmap. Hence, we feel they will do justice to our brand.”
McCann Worldgroup India executive chairman, CEO and chief creative officer Prasoon Joshi said, “We are thrilled to work with Promart as it’s a brand that seems to be on a new journey in the retail space. The team’s bold ambition excites us and together we will democratize apparel in a world where fashion has always been about exclusivity.”
McCann Mumbai has diverse expertise in servicing clients across categories. Some of their clientele list includes Johnson and Johnson, Marico, Nestle, Coca-Cola, L’Oreal, Cathay Pacific, Aircel, TVS, Britannia and Master Card.
Lifestyle retailing brand Promart bought out the IP and assets from Provogue in November 2011 and targets the youth in the age group of 15-25 years with providing discounts all through the year. Promart houses over 50 brands which include Levis, Pepe, Lee, Wrangler, Spykar, Gini and Jony under one roof.
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.
