MAM
Twitter boss Jack Dorsey’s first tweet auctioned for $2.9 mn
NEW DELHI: Priceless paintings, coveted jewels, hallowed memorabilia have come under the hammer often enough to become passe. It would seem that it’s the intangible things that hold value – a tweet, for example. But it’s no ordinary tweet.
Twitter founder & CEO Jack Dorsey’s first ever tweet has been sold for upwards of $2.9 million. The virtual missive, which said "just setting up my twttr," was first published on 21 March 2006 and was auctioned off by Dorsey for charity.
Sold to technology firm Bridge Oracle chief executive Sina Estavi, it was delivered to him as a non-fungible token, or NFT — a digital certificate of authenticity that confirms an item is real and one of a kind by recording the details on a blockchain digital ledger. Malaysia-based Estavi compared the purchase of the digital version of the tweet to buying a Mona Lisa painting.
This is not just a tweet!
I think years later people will realize the true value of this tweet, like the Mona Lisa painting https://t.co/vnA5pz3esQ
— Estavi (@sinaEstavi) March 22, 2021
The Twitter boss tweeted the Bitcoin receipt of the proceeds from the auction on Monday, and said the funds were sent to the charity, Give Directly's Africa Response fund.
According to Valuables, 95 per cent of the proceeds from the sale price go to the tweet's original creator while five per cent go to the platform.
NFTs have recently swept the online collecting world. A digital artwork by artist Beeple sold for $69.4 million in an online auction by a British auction house earlier this month, with an NFT as a guarantee of its authenticity.
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.
