MAM
Rohitash Srivastava joins 82.5 Communications as chief strategy officer
MUMBAI: 82.5 Communications has appointed Rohitash Srivastava as its new chief strategy officer in a move that underscores the agency’s commitment to strengthening its strategic capabilities and accelerating growth. This internal transfer within the Ogilvy Group brings Srivastava’s two decades of experience as a communication planner, experience strategist, and brand consultant to the agency.
Previously prominent strategic planning at Ogilvy India (north), Srivastava has shaped the brand strategies of industry giants, including The Coca-Cola Company, GSK’s Eno, Dabur India, Perfetti, Mother Dairy, and RSPL Group. His expertise in consumer-centric thinking and brand-building will play a pivotal role in 82.5 Communications’ continued success.
“82.5 Communications is on a fantastic growth journey, fueled by the great work our teams are producing,” said 82.5 Communications CEO Kiran Ramamurthy. “Srivastava’s strategic acumen and proven track record are exactly what we need to accelerate this momentum. Srivastava thrives on simplifying complex challenges and making brand strategy feel refreshingly clear and actionable, with an approach rooted in common sense, conversation, and creativity.”
Srivastava added, “82.5 is fast becoming the growth engine for Ogilvy, and I couldn’t be more excited to be part of this transformative moment. The talent and energy I see in Ramamurthy, our COO, and our CCOs Anuraag and Mayur make 82.5 a powerhouse of modern brand-building. We have great momentum, we’re already putting out some fantastic work, and this is just the beginning.”
Srivastava’s accolades include multiple Effie awards, including a Gold and three Silvers in APAC Effies, and recognition as India’s Top Digital Planner by Digital Market Asia and Business World in 2016. He is also an academic contributor, teaching brand strategy at MICA and MET Mumbai and publishing insights in Brand Equity, WARC, and Campaign India.
Digital
After 22 years, Google lets users finally change their Gmail IDs
New feature ends long wait, keeps emails and history intact
CALIFORNIA: In a move many users have been waiting years for, Google has begun rolling out a feature that allows people to change their Gmail username without losing their emails or account history.
The update marks a significant shift from Gmail’s long-standing rule where users were stuck with the address they first created. Now, users can switch to a new username while retaining access to their inbox, files, photos and purchase history.
Google said users will not need to create a new account to move away from outdated or awkward email IDs, noting that all existing data remains intact through the transition.
The feature works on an alias-based model. The newly chosen email becomes the primary address, while the old one is retained as an alternate. Messages sent to either address will continue to land in the same inbox, and users can sign in using both credentials.
However, the company has introduced a few guardrails. Users can only change their username once every 12 months and are limited to three changes over the lifetime of the account. The new username must also be available and cannot be reused if previously deleted by another user.
The rollout has begun in phases, starting with users in the United States, with a broader global release expected over time.
There are a few practical considerations. While Google services update automatically, users will need to manually update their email ID on third-party platforms such as banking, streaming or social media services. Devices like Chromebooks may also require a fresh sign-in to ensure seamless syncing.
The timing of the announcement has raised a few eyebrows, given Gmail famously launched on April 1 in 2004. Still, references to official updates and statements from Google leadership, including CEO Sundar Pichai, suggest this is no prank but a genuine platform upgrade.
For millions stuck with legacy usernames, the change offers a fresh start without the hassle, proving that even in tech, second chances do arrive.
