MAM
Roopesh Pujari elevated as CTO at Publicis Groupe India
Mumbai: Publicis Groupe India has elevated Roopesh Pujari to the position of chief technology officer.
In this role, he will steer the development of all technology capabilities across the company in India including expansion of cloud solutions, platform integration, capability and capacity building and streamlining partners. “He will work closely with the India leadership team and his priorities will include stronger cohesion of specialised teams across the group agencies and practices, acceleration of both bespoke and enterprise projects that sharpen client success,” said the company in a statement.
“Given the rapidly evolving landscape around 5G, web 3.0, metaverse, NFTs, blockchain, crypto and the like, technology roadmap is central to the success of any business. The new role will aid us in futureproofing our organisation as well as enabling the right support to client strategies,” said Publicis Groupe South Asia CEO Anupriya Acharya. “Roopesh not only brings the right experience and competence but comes in with an exemplary track record from within our organisation.”
Pujari comes with 25 years of IT leadership experience in product design/development, core system transformation, enterprise architecture, program management, process improvement and services management across various domains – BFSI, manufacturing, consulting, publishing, aviation/airlines, healthcare. A mechanical engineer from Karnataka University, he is also a qualified MBA and MS in strategic finance from Indiana University, USA.
Before joining Publicis Media in March 2019, he had worked extensively both in India and the US with organisations such as Apple, Pfizer, Dell, the US Army, Mondelez, etc. He also has rich experience in hiring and ramping up teams in both the US and India.
“Technology is the bedrock of all growth,” commented Roopesh Pujari. “Over the last years, we have invested strongly in the technology capabilities across the group, and I am excited to take on this opportunity that allows us to scale up tech solutions across the group – from creative to content to media to experiences! With such a vast canvas I believe we will also become a super-attractive employer for talented individuals looking for true variety in exposure and experience.”
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.
