MAM
Scarecrow M&C Saatchi’s Raghu Bhatt and his passion for travelling
NEW DELHI: Weekends are fun but as the weekdays have been turned into weekends for the last three months, it has become a routine. Lockdown locked us in our homes and gave time to spend with family. In the last three months, there have been no outing with friends or no late-night dinners. People are now trying new things and binge-watching series apart from working at home. In today’s chat, Indiantelevision.com got candid with Scarecrow M&C Saatchi founder Raghu Bhatt to know about what keeps him going during the lockdown time, his favourite shows and more.
During the lockdown, how are you keeping yourself optimistic?
The kind of person I am, staying optimistic doesn't require any special effort like seeing Art of Living videos or reading 'Think Positive' FB posts put up by my friends with such unfailing regularity. Apart from work, I always had hobbies that kept me engaged. So, I have not felt the need to pick up a new hobby. I am a voracious reader of Indian and Roman history. I follow the stock markets & football. I look after the garden. I am curious to know what kind of content ranks on Google.
Tell us about your favourite coffee moment.
I drink chai. So, I'll replace this with a tea story. I like to have tea with tulsi and lemon-grass in the morning. One day, it was raining heavily. So, I told my younger kid to take a pair of scissors, cut a small lemongrass stalk growing in the garden and put it in the teapot. Somehow the tea was lacking in flavour that day. Later I realised that I was having tulsi and bamboo leaf tea!
What are you binge-watching on OTT?
I miss travelling. I see shows that help me see new places. Shows like Restaurants on the Edge that feature a mountain restaurant in Slovenia or Ekant on Amazon Prime Video that feature places that I want to visit but can't, like Asirgarh or Datia or Tranquebar.
Whenever the lockdown gets over, where do you want to go for a vacation?
When I read a book, I feel like travelling to the place where it happened. Just finished the book "The Conqueror" by Aditya Iyengar based on the life of Rajendra Chola. So right now, have a raging desire to visit his capital, Gangaikonda Cholapuram in Tamil Nadu.
MAM
Ameya Velankar steps down as Uber’s head of marketing for India & South Asia
Veteran marketer exits after more than seven years with the ride-hailing giant.
MUMBAI: After more than seven years of steering Uber through the bumpy roads of India’s mobility market, Ameya Velankar has decided to change lanes. Ameya Velankar has stepped down as Head of Marketing for India and South Asia, marking the end of a significant chapter at the ride-hailing company. He had been with Uber since 2019, taking on multiple roles in product and category marketing before rising to lead the marketing function for the region in 2021.
During his tenure, Velankar played a key role in strengthening Uber’s positioning in one of its most competitive and dynamic markets. He helped drive localised marketing strategies and scale adoption across key offerings such as Auto, Moto, Rentals and Intercity, tailoring global platforms to Indian consumer needs.
Prior to joining Uber, Velankar built his marketing expertise at leading consumer companies including SC Johnson and Marico, where he handled category and product leadership roles. His career began at RPG Enterprises.
Details of his next professional move have not been disclosed.
In a fast-evolving mobility landscape where brands constantly battle for attention, Ameya Velankar helped Uber stay relevant and resonant with millions of Indian users. As he moves on from the driver’s seat of marketing, the company will now look for fresh ideas to keep its wheels turning smoothly.
