MAM
Srinivasan K Swamy to receive AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award 2016
MUMBAI: The Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) announced the recipient of this year’s AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award as Srinivasan K Swamy popularly known as Sundar Swamy. This Award is the highest honour to be given to an individual in India for his/her outstanding contribution to the Advertising Industry. This award was instituted in 1988 by AAAI and so far 23 persons have been bestowed with it earlier.
Swamy is the chairman of R K Swamy Hansa , a prominent and well diversified marketing communications group. Since inception in 1973 as an advertising agency, the Group interests currently include creative & media, interactive & digital, health care communications, social & rural sector, communication, human resources communication, marketing analytics, market research, events & activation, retail identity, public relations, continuing medical education, global language work etc.
Making the announcement, AAAI president Dr. M G Parameswaran, stated that “If there is one person who has tirelessly worked for the advertising industry, for over two decades, in various industry bodies, it is Sundar Swamy. So in a sense it was an easy choice this year. We are hopeful that AAAI and its member agencies will have his continued involvement and inputs as we navigate the ever changing terrain of advertising business.”
Swamy has been active in various industry bodies working towards the growth and development of the Advertising industry. He was president of AAAI for three consecutive terms (2004 – 2007) and continues to take active interest in the activities of AAAI. He is the vice chairman of Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), and a board member of Audit Bureau of Circulations. Swamy was also president of All India Management Association during 2008-09. He was the president of The Madras Chamber of Commerce & Industry (2008-10), Madras Management Association (2001-02) and the Advertising Club, Madras (1988-89).
He is serving his fourth term as the president of the India Chapter of International Advertising Association and was recently elected as senior vice president of International Advertising Association, the global body. Swamy is vice chairman of Asian Federation of Advertising Associations. Earlier he was chairman of Confederation of Asian Advertising Agency Associations during 2008-10.
In addition, Swamy is actively involved with socially relevant institutions for the improvement of society viz. 220 bed, multi-discipline tertiary care, Hindu Mission Hospital at Chennai catering to the urban poor and the surrounding rural areas; chairman of Valluvar Gurukulam School Society which runs a school for 2,800 poor students, primarily girls and vice president of National Boys and Girls Education Society, a premium education institution in Central Chennai which runs three reputed schools. He is also chairman of Vidyadhanam and Annadhanam Trust, a Vedic Padasala of Sri Ahobila Mutt and trustee in the Consumers Association of India and CONCERT.
The AAAI Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Swamy on 29th July 2016 in Mumbai.
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.
