MAM
Sabbas Joseph, co-founder and director of Wizcraft International joins the global advisory board of the prestigious IMWF – international mice & wedding forum
MUMBAI: IMWF, the International MICE and Wedding Forum, is all set for a big bang 4th edition in 2019 following the roaring success of the last edition in 2018, IMWF is all set for a big bang this 2019. IMWF, an annual platform powered by Inventum Global, will be held from 12th to 16th May 2019 in Antalya at the Rixos Premium Belek- which is one of the most sought after properties in Antalya for MICE & Weddings.
On 13th Feb 2019, IMWF announced renowned industry visionary, Wiz Sabbas Joseph, Co-founder and Director of Wizcraft International as the only India member of the Global Advisory Board of IMWF, which comprises visionaries and leaders from across key global geographies.
IMWF is a prestigious platform where leaders meet, a forum wherein aficionados of the MICE and the Wedding industry come together bringing in their expert knowledge. With the IMWF Global Advisory Board bringing together key industry leaders, IMWF is only set to be bigger and better.
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.
