MAM
Swarovski elevates Francis Belin to sr VP consumer goods business APAC
MUMBAI: In a recent development, Swarovski has promoted Francis Belin to take a bigger role in the company.
Belin who has been in charge of Swarovski’s consumer goods business for Greater China since August 2011, has now been elevated to senior vice president consumer goods business APAC.
Based in Hong Kong, Belin is responsible for the strategic direction and the development of the company in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao.
Starting from April 2014, he has extended his scope – beyond Greater China – to take over Swarovski’s consumer good business for Asia Pacific, including key markets like Japan, Korea, Australia and India. Belin is also a member of the Board of Advisors of Kid’s Earth Fund (Japan) and since April 2013, has been appointed to the advisory committee of the Swarovski Foundation.
He joined Swarovski in January 2008 as Managing Director for Japan. Under Belin’s leadership, Japan has achieved to be the second fastest growing market in the world after Mainland China, thanks to major upgrades in brand positioning, brand awareness and distribution network. Prior to joining Swarovski, Belin started his career in Management consulting at McKinsey&Co in Europe and Asia, and worked as Managing Director of Jaeger-LeCoultre (Richemont) in Japan.
Originally from France, Belin holds a degree in Management from the ESSEC Business School in France and a Diploma Kaufmann from the University of Mannheim in Germany, majoring in Business administration and Psychology.
AD Agencies
Prakash Nair reportedly quits Ogilvy after 23 years
One of the agency’s longest-serving leaders has moved on, with his next destination still unknown
MUMBAI: After more than two decades at one address, Prakash Nair has left the building. The president and head of office, north at Ogilvy has moved on from the agency, according to highly placed industry sources. His next move remains unknown. Ogilvy did not respond to requests for comment.
Nair spent over 23 years at the agency, making him one of its longest-serving senior figures. He was elevated to lead the Gurugram office in April 2022, a role that put him at the helm of Ogilvy’s northern operations at a time of considerable churn across the advertising industry.
Before taking charge in the capital, Nair served as associate president at Ogilvy Mumbai, where he worked on some of the agency’s most prized accounts, including Mondelez, Tata Motors, and BP Castrol. Over the years, he built a reputation for driving modern, integrated, and award-winning work, the kind that wins metals at Cannes and keeps clients from straying.
His departure was marked in style. A farewell gathering was held in Delhi, attended by senior figures from across the advertising fraternity, a signal of the regard in which Nair is held in an industry that does not always pause to say goodbye properly.
Where he goes next is the question the industry is now asking. After 23 years at one of the world’s most storied agencies, the answer, when it comes, will be worth watching.
