MAM
Soumak Banik returns to MediaCom as Indonesia MD
Mumbai: WPP’s MediaCom has brought on board Soumak Banik as managing director for Indonesia, who returns after having served as chief growth officer at the firm for India & South Asia region until July this year. He will report to GroupM Indonesia CEO Himanshu Shekhar and MediaCom Asia Pacific CEO, Mark Heap.
Banik succeeds Partha Kabi who recently took charge as global account director at MediaCom for SK-II and is now based in Singapore.
On this succession move, media reports quoted Himanshu Shekhar as saying, “Kabi’s successor has big shoes to fill, and I am hugely excited to have Banik as the new leader for MediaCom Indonesia. His infectious enthusiasm and positivity will be crucial in building on the strong foundations.”
Banik commands over 20 years of experience in conceptualisation, supporting communication, deriving & driving effective efficient marketing solutions across industries like FMCG, CSG, auto, luxury, telecom, e-commerce, BFSI, sports, publishing, and multiple brands. Prior to MediaCom, he was associated with Mindshare Indonesia as principal partner for three years until 2019.
“The global momentum in MediaCom is so inspiring. Combining this with the assets we can leverage from GroupM globally, regionally and locally, makes me very confident that we can continue to drive growth for our clients, the careers of our people, and our business,” Banik said on his appointment.
Brands
Hyundai and TVS Motor partner to develop electric three wheelers
Joint development pact targets last mile mobility with localisation push
MUMBAI: Three wheels, one big ambition and a charge towards the future. Hyundai Motor Company and TVS Motor Company have signed a joint development agreement to co-create electric three-wheelers (E3Ws), aiming to crack India’s complex last-mile mobility puzzle. The collaboration moves beyond concept talk into execution mode, building on the E3W prototype first showcased at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. The goal now is clear, design, develop and commercialise a purpose-built vehicle tailored to Indian roads, riders and realities.
Under the agreement, Hyundai will lead design and co-development, bringing its global R&D muscle and human-centric engineering approach to the table. TVS Motor, meanwhile, will anchor the product on its electric platform, leveraging deep three-wheeler expertise and local market insight. It will also handle manufacturing and sales in India, with an eye on exports down the line.
The timing is strategic. India remains the world’s largest three-wheeler market, where affordability, durability and adaptability often outweigh sheer innovation. The upcoming E3W aims to strike that balance combining advanced technology with practical features such as adaptive ground clearance for monsoon-hit roads, improved thermal management for tropical climates, and flexible interiors suited for passengers, cargo or emergency use.
A key pillar of the partnership is localisation. Major components will be sourced and manufactured within India, a move expected to strengthen the domestic supply chain, create jobs, lower costs and improve after-sales support.
The shift from prototype to production will involve rigorous testing, certification and refinement to meet regulatory standards and consumer expectations. Dedicated cross-functional teams from both companies are already in place to accelerate timelines.
At a broader level, the tie-up reflects a growing trend in mobility, global players partnering with local specialists to navigate emerging markets. For Hyundai and TVS, the bet is that combining scale with street-level insight could unlock a new chapter in sustainable urban transport, one that runs not just on electricity, but on relevance.
