MAM
Saatchi & Saatchi Focus CEO Malavika Harita is president of Bangalore Ad Club
BENGALURU: Saatchi & Saatchi Focus Network CEO Malavika Harita took over as president of the Ad Club of Bangalore during the AGM on 25 April. Harita replaces Oglivy’s regional president Prateek Srivastava.
Harita said, “We will use technology to build a vibrant community of communication professionals. One of our most ambitious ventures this year is to take the Big Bang, our annual awards competition, process online. In addition to sports and other activities we are looking at a college program where we try and make young communication graduates and post graduates explore communication as a career.”
This is Harita’s second stint at the helm here. The other committee members include Kinetic India business director – South, Bindu Gopinath, Maxus India GM South Sanchayeeta Verma, VP & Head, E4M VP & Head – South Sneha Walke, Radio City AVP & NCD Binoy Joseph, Telibrahma Principal P R Satheesh, Mudra Max- South Head Anilkumar Sathiraju, Sampark PR Account Director Navin Nair, Pentagon Communication creative director Arunava Seal. Srivastava, the immediate past president will be an ex-offcio member of the committee. R T Kumar, three-time Past President will continue in the role of adviser to the committee.
Executive director Arvind Kumar will continue on the committee and manage the functioning of the Club.
Brands
Pocket FM elevates Lalit Gangwar to COO to drive global growth
Founding member to lead operations, monetisation and expansion across markets
MUMBAI: Pocket FM has elevated Lalit Gangwar to chief operating officer, tasking the founding team member with leading global business operations as the company sharpens its international growth strategy.
In his new role, Gangwar will oversee end-to-end operations across markets, including growth, monetisation and execution for the company’s audio business. The appointment comes as Pocket FM looks to strengthen its operating foundation and build a more predictable, scalable global business.
Gangwar has been closely involved in shaping the company’s trajectory from its early days. He played a key role in building the growth and marketing playbook in India, helping the platform scale to over 150 million users within its first year and establish a strong foothold in the audio storytelling category.
He later led Pocket FM’s expansion into the United States, where he set up teams, defined market strategy and drove scale, contributing significantly to the company’s international ambitions.
Pocket FM co-founder and CEO Rohan Nayak said, “Lalit has been central to Pocket FM’s journey from the very beginning. He has built our growth engine and scaled our business across markets.” He added that the company’s focus on nurturing internal talent makes Gangwar a natural choice to lead the next phase.
Gangwar said, “Pocket FM has always been driven by a simple belief that powerful stories can travel across borders and create meaningful impact.” He noted that the company will continue to focus on scaling markets, investing in AI-led storytelling and strengthening monetisation.
As COO, Gangwar is expected to bring greater operating discipline while building systems, talent and processes to support long-term growth.
With leadership continuity and a clear global focus, Pocket FM appears to be turning the page to its next chapter, one that aims to take its storytelling playbook well beyond home turf.
