MAM
RED FM & Bengaluru police helm road safety with Ganesha
MUMBAI: Lord Ganesha may have been blessed with a second head, but Bengaluru’s riders won’t be as lucky. That’s the message 93.5 Red FM and the Bengaluru Traffic Police hammered home this Ganesh Chaturthi with their cheeky yet sobering campaign, ‘Second chance nahi milega’.
Running from 18–29 August, the initiative took a mythological twist on road safety, reminding riders that while Ganesha was revived after his beheading, mortals don’t get divine do-overs. The only shield between life and tragedy? A helmet.
And Red FM made sure that message wasn’t just lip service. Rjs hit the city’s busiest junctions such as Indiranagar, Silk Board, MG Road, Rajajinagar, Koramangala, and more, alongside the traffic police, stopping bare-headed bikers in their tracks. Instead of just a fine or lecture, riders got a free, ISI-marked helmet and a much-needed reality check.
The campaign went beyond the roads, too. On-air banter, live bytes, and social media snippets carried commuters’ stories and witty safety reminders to thousands more, weaving road sense into festive celebrations.
“Through ‘Second Chance Nahi Milega’, we transformed festive celebration into civic action,” said Red FM, general manager – Karnataka, Suresh Ganesan. “By linking mythology with modern road safety, we gave people a reason they could never forget.”
Bengaluru’s traffic police were just as upbeat. “A helmet is not for the fear of law, it is for your own safety,” stressed joint commissioner of police, traffic, Karthik Reddy. “We are happy Red FM took up this initiative and gave free helmets to riders.”
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.
