MAM
Times of India hires WPP talent chief for recruitment overhaul
MUMBAI: Bennett Coleman & Co, publisher of the Times of India, has hired Roshin Mascarenhas as its new head of talent acquisition, luring her from WPP Media where she led recruitment across South Asia.
The appointment signals the Indian media conglomerate’s push to revamp its hiring strategy as traditional publishers grapple with digital disruption and fierce competition for top talent. Mascarenhas brings 15 years of recruitment experience, including stints at Viacom18, Disney, and the Aditya Birla Group.
Her move to the Times of India building in Mumbai marks something of a homecoming. Early in her career as a search consultant, she worked on critical roles for the newspaper group. Her husband also spent his formative professional years at the company, making this appointment as much personal as professional.
At WPP Media, Mascarenhas managed geographically dispersed recruitment teams and standardised hiring practices across the advertising giant’s Indian operations. She oversaw campus programmes, implemented data-driven recruitment metrics, and championed internal mobility initiatives.
Her LinkedIn announcement is peppered with rocket ship emojis and effusive praise for her new employer’s “heritage and integrity.” She describes herself as a “talent magnet” and “mindfulness champion” who believes technology cannot replace the “human touch” in recruitment.
The hire comes as India’s media landscape undergoes rapid transformation. Traditional publishers like Bennett Coleman face pressure to attract digital-native talent while competing with technology firms and streaming platforms for the best candidates.
Mascarenhas’s track record includes notable achievements such as recruiting 120 people in two months for UTV Stars’ Bollywood channel launch in 2011 and implementing hiring automation systems. Her appointment suggests Bennett Coleman is serious about professionalising its talent acquisition function.
Whether her “positive vibes” approach and emphasis on creating “meaningful careers” can solve the structural challenges facing India’s traditional media remains to be seen. But for a company seeking to blend legacy with innovation, hiring someone who describes every recruitment as “a story” seems oddly appropriate.
MAM
Deepanshu Manchanda named IIMSAM Goodwill Ambassador
Zappfresh founder to advocate for Zero Hunger and nutrition goals.
MUMBAI: Deepanshu Manchanda just got a United Nations side quest because when you’re already fighting hunger from farm to fork, the next level is global goodwill. Deepanshu Manchanda, founder and managing director of DSM Fresh Foods Ltd. (Zappfresh), has been appointed Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by the Intergovernmental Institution for the Use of Micro-Algae Spirulina Against Malnutrition (IIMSAM), an observer to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
The honorary, non-remunerative role recognises his work in building inclusive, transparent food systems, strengthening smallholder farmer livelihoods especially women producers and advancing nutrition and food security.
Since founding Zappfresh in 2015, Manchanda has focused on traceability, farmer inclusion and public health. A notable collaboration with Shared Wealth Ventures LLC (a Heifer Project International subsidiary) established a backyard poultry sourcing model across Odisha, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh, linking women-led households directly to organised markets while promoting biosecurity and premium procurement practices.
As Goodwill Ambassador, he will support initiatives aligned with:
- SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) – advocating sustainable nutrition solutions
- SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) – raising awareness of malnutrition interventions
- SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) – fostering collaboration across institutions and communities
Manchanda said, “I’m honoured by IIMSAM’s recognition. It reflects the journey we began at Zappfresh to build transparent food systems that support smallholder farmers and improve nutrition outcomes. I’m eager to support collaborative progress toward Zero Hunger, better nutrition, and strong partnerships on a global scale.”
In a world where hunger and opportunity often sit at the same table, Manchanda isn’t just serving fresh food, he’s serving fresh hope, one traceable chicken and empowered farmer at a time.
