MAM
Saatchi & Saatchi appoints Ashutosh Karkhanis as ECD- Mumbai
MUMBAI: Saatchi & Saatchi India has announced the appointment of Ashutosh Karkhanis as executive creative director-Mumbai.
In his new role, Karkhanis will be heading the creative team in Mumbai.
Karkhanis is currently serving his notice period at Ray and Keshavan, The Brand Union where he was working as the creative director. He will join Saatchi & Saatchi from 3 May.
Saatchi & Saatchi- India NCD Ramanuj Shastry said, “Ashu is an awesome talent. I worked with him at Rediffusion Y&R and in the process became a fan of his work – be it advertising, design, digital or photography. He will bring with him new energies and new thinking that is invaluable.”
Saatchi & Saatchi GM Mumbai Nisha Singhania said, “Ashu will be a critical driver of transformation at Saatchi & Saatchi. Having worked with Ashu both at Grey and at Rediffusion, I find his passion for ideas absolutely infectious. His experience in design and digital gives us the edge that we need to succeed in today’s VUCA world.”
On his new role Karkhanis said, “Today when I see my young sons playing on the ipad, I realise that digital is the future. Meeting with the Saatchi team confirmed my belief. With Saatchi & Saatchi I have found the perfect match.”
Karkhanis comes in with over 20 years of experience and has spanned advertising, design and digital.
Prior to joining The Brand Union, he has worked with Lowe, Enterprise, Ambience, Grey, Contract and Rediffusion Y&R. He has worked with clients such as Britannia, Unilever, Kotak Mahindra, HSBC, Asian Paints, Taj Hotels, Economic Times, Kingfisher Airlines, Himalayan Water, Tata Nano and Tata Sky.
MAM
Shoppers Stop elevates Biju Kassim as GSS Beauty CEO
Move comes as GSS Beauty scales global brand partnerships in India.
MUMBAI: From store shelves to global shelves, the beauty game is getting a sharper makeover. Shoppers Stop has elevated Biju Kassim as managing director and chief executive officer of Global SS Beauty Brands Limited (GSSBB), signalling a stronger push into the premium beauty segment. The move builds on Kassim’s role in setting up GSSBB, a wholly owned subsidiary that has quickly positioned itself as a fast-growing distribution platform for global beauty brands in India. The unit has been central to Shoppers Stop’s ambition of expanding its footprint in the high-margin beauty and luxury categories.
Chairman Nirvik Singh noted that Kassim’s experience across the beauty ecosystem and his understanding of premium and luxury consumers would help steer the next phase of growth. The focus, he indicated, will be on sharpening the company’s beauty portfolio and scaling partnerships with international brands.
Kassim, for his part, steps into the role at a time when India’s premium beauty market is undergoing rapid evolution, driven by rising consumer aspirations and increased access to global labels. He highlighted that GSSBB will remain a key strategic pillar, with an emphasis on expanding brand partnerships, enhancing consumer experiences and driving growth across markets.
As global beauty brands continue to eye India as a high-growth destination, Shoppers Stop’s bet is clear: owning not just the shelf, but the entire beauty ecosystem behind it.
