MAM
Roy of the newsroom: Jayanta to helm UNI’s English news service
MUMBAI: He’s no stranger to breaking news but this time, he is the news. Veteran journalist Jayanta Roy Chowdhury has been appointed editor in charge of United News of India’s english news wire services, marking another milestone in a distinguished media career spanning over three decades.
Based in Delhi, Roy Chowdhury steps into the role at UNI after a prolific run that has seen him steer editorial teams across some of India’s most respected newsrooms. From Press Trust of India (PTI) to The New Indian Express and The Telegraph, his byline has long been synonymous with sharp economic analysis and credible journalism.
Before joining UNI, he served as Editor of The Secretariat, a multimedia news platform dedicated to long-form, analytical stories on policy and the economy. There, he led a team of a dozen journalists across print, video, and social media shaping in-depth reportage that blended rigour with accessibility.
Roy Chowdhury also recently wore a think-tank hat, serving as director of arthaniti (Economy), where he explored intersections of policy and reform. His earlier tenure as acting resident editor (eastern region) at PTI (2021–2023) further cemented his reputation as a newsroom leader with a knack for both precision and perspective.
His editorial stints have been matched by his academic pursuits, a chevening fellowship at the University of Bradford in 2010 saw him present a paper on the long-term impact of the global financial crisis on India’s reform journey. A Delhi University economics graduate, Roy Chowdhury brings both intellectual depth and newsroom agility to his new role.
Over the years, he has chronicled everything from budget seasons and banking reforms to the fine print of India’s economic transitions. Now, as he takes the reins at UNI’s English service, the journalist who has long interpreted India’s economic story will once again help shape how it’s told.
With his move to UNI, it seems Roy Chowdhury isn’t just editing the headlines, he’s making one.
Brands
Abhinav Rastogi named global marketing director for YouTube Shopping
Google veteran to scale creator commerce and expand shopping across global markets
SINGAPORE: Abhinav Rastogi has stepped into a new role as global marketing director for YouTube Shopping, marking the latest chapter in a more than decade-long career at Google.
Rastogi, who took on the position in February and is based in Singapore, will lead global marketing for YouTube Shopping, a platform designed to connect creators, viewers and merchants in a single ecosystem. His remit includes expanding the service into new markets and strengthening its positioning as a growth channel for both creators and brands.
In a reflective note on the transition, Rastogi pointed to a simple but powerful idea driving the role. For years, creators have quietly built trust with audiences through consistent and authentic content, and that trust often shapes purchasing decisions. What is changing now, he said, is the infrastructure around that behaviour. YouTube Shopping aims to make it easier for viewers to discover and buy products recommended by creators they already follow.
The scale is already significant. More than half a million creators have joined the programme, with recent expansion into Japan through a partnership with Rakuten signalling further global ambitions.
Rastogi believes the future of shopping on YouTube will be driven by a blend of creators, content and communities. In his view, it is the human voice behind the screen, not just the product, that ultimately builds trust and drives discovery.
Prior to this role, he served as director of marketing, YouTube Asia Pacific, where he led regional marketing across creator engagement, brand building and reputation. During that time, he played a key role in launching and scaling YouTube Shopping across eight markets in the region.
Earlier stints at Google include group product marketing manager, consumer apps, overseeing growth for products such as Search, Maps and Assistant across India and Southeast Asia, and product marketing manager roles spanning consumer apps and YouTube, where he contributed to launches including YouTube Music, YouTube Originals and YouTube Shorts.
Rastogi began his career in consulting with Boston Consulting Group and A.T. Kearney, before moving into the technology sector. He is an alumnus of Indian Institute of Management Calcutta and Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur.
Alongside his corporate role, he is also an active angel investor, backing early-stage startups in consumer technology and electric mobility across India and Southeast Asia.
As he settles into the new role, Rastogi is betting on a future where every video can double up as a storefront, and where commerce feels less like a transaction and more like a recommendation from a trusted voice.
