MAM
Srinivasan Swamy & Pradeep Guha get VP positions on IAA board
MUMBAI: Two senior India media and advertising professionals have got themselves Asia-Pacific veep positions on the prestigious International Advertising Association (IAA) board. Pradeep Guha has been re-elected as VP area director Asia Pacific while Srinivasan Swamy has been appointed as VP Development Asia Pacific. The duo will be in these positions till May 2016.
The IAA annual board meeting was held on 18 June in Cannes during the on-going Cannes Lions, where the elections and appointments took place. IAA world chairman and president Faris Abouhamad, who took office in January 2013, stated “Our association, in its 75th Anniversary year will benefit from the energy and talents of IAA leadership drawn from virtually every part of the world. I am especially pleased and excited to have such able colleagues as the IAA charts its future. I cannot imagine a better or more capable team to embrace and deliver on the IAA‘s plans and initiatives.”
Among other appointments that were announced include:
IAA senior vice president- Felix Tataru COO at GMP (Romania)
IAA Treasurer – Glenn Hansen President and CEO of BPA Worldwide (USA)
IAAA Secretary – Erich Buxbaum Managing Director of EHB Consulting GmbH (Austria)
IAA vice-president area director US/Canada – Jill Cohen
IAA vice-president area director – Middle East/Africa Saad El Zein
IAA vice-president area director – Asia/Pacific Pradeep Guha
IAA vice-president area director – Europe V, Pawel Kowalewski
IAA managing director – Michael Lee
IAA vice resident corporate members and government affairs – Carla Michelotti
IAA vice president government relations Middle East/North Africa – Naji Boulos
IAA vice president development – Africa, Norkor Duah
IAA vice president development Middle East/North Africa – Hani Ghorayeb
IAA vice president 75th Anniversary and special events – Heather Leembruggen
IAA vice president Learning – Diane Slade
IAA vice president Development Asia/Pacific – Srinivasan Swamy
As is already known Srinivasan Swamy, popularly known as Sundar Swamy, chairman RK Swamy BBDO was unanimously elected president of IAA’s India Chapter for 2012-13 at its AGM on 2 November 2012.
The International Advertising Association, the world‘s only globally integrated advertising trade association, is split into five worldwide regions: Middle East and Africa, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, USA and Canada; and each of these regions has several chapters within it. Within its structure, the Association comprises of three constituencies: Individual Members, Chapters and Corporate Members.
The IAA‘s activity worldwide actively works to strengthen the position of the marketing communications business in the market place by acting as a central hub and respected go-to for industry professionals. The IAA promotes the role and benefits of advertising in all healthy economies and the foundation of diverse, independent media. It provides a forum for industry debate, promotes brand building and protection and advancement of freedom of commercial speech and consumer choice. IAA encourages greater practice and acceptance of advertising self-regulation and takes the lead in state-of-the-art professional development through education and training.
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.
