MAM
upGrad appoints Ankit Khirwal as VP – marketing
Mumbai: Homegrown ed-tech company upGrad on Saturday announced that Ankit Khirwal has joined the upGrad management team as vice president – marketing.
As part of his new role, Khirwal will lead the end-to-end marketing efforts across the organisation. He will manage all aspects of brand marketing and public relations, performance marketing, CRM marketing, creative and content marketing.
Khirwal was earlier associated at Pepperfry as marketing head. As a part of its senior leadership team, he managed the entire marketing function. In addition to marketing, he has also led various verticals including category management, financial planning & strategy. Prior to Pepperfry, as an analyst at RBS International, he worked on key Debt Capital Market transactions for Indian corporates. An IIM-Bangalore alumnus, he is a CA by qualification and a graduate of the Shri Ram College of Commerce.
Welcoming Khirwal on board, upGrad India, CEO, Arjun Mohan said, “We are thrilled to have Ankit onboard. His proven experience in deepening brand presence, expanding the consumer funnel, and scaling up revenue will be invaluable in helping upGrad maintain its rapid growth to meet the strong demand with the expansion of our footprint in international markets and new verticals.”
Talking about his new role, Khirwal said, “I was the first person in my entire family to pursue studies beyond under-graduation. I understand and value the importance of education in life. It is an exciting time to be part of the global online education revolution and it will be a fulfilling experience to take upGrad’s philosophy of lifelong learning ahead.”
AD Agencies
The Advertising Club unveils new brand identity
71-year-old industry body repositions itself as marketing’s guiding beacon
MUMBAI: The Advertising Club has revealed a refreshed brand identity, signalling a new chapter in its 71-year journey at the heart of India’s marketing and media ecosystem.
Created in partnership with global brand consultancy Landor, the rebrand is less about reinvention and more about realignment. It builds on decades of credibility while sharpening the Club’s role in an industry being rapidly reshaped by technology, artificial intelligence and shifting consumer expectations.
For generations, The Advertising Club has been the meeting ground for ideas, ambition and industry-defining conversations. From flagship platforms to benchmark-setting awards, it has helped script the story of modern Indian marketing. Now, as algorithms influence artistry and data sits alongside design, the Club is leaning into change with clarity.
At the core of the new identity is a simple but powerful idea: TAC as “The Beacon”. In a time of constant disruption, the industry needs more than applause lines. It needs direction. The refreshed positioning casts the Club as a steady guide, illuminating what lies ahead while honouring the milestones behind it.
The new visual system is designed to be flexible and future-ready, adapting seamlessly across awards, partnerships, platforms and digital touchpoints. It carries the weight of legacy, yet speaks in a contemporary voice that feels confident, global and distinctly Indian.
The Advertising Club president and McCann India CEO Dheeraj Sinha, said the refresh reflects both responsibility and opportunity. “Our seven-decade legacy demands that we lead with purpose. This new identity reaffirms our intent to serve as a beacon at a time of high volatility. TAC will continue to set benchmarks, spark meaningful conversations and champion the ideas shaping the future of marketing and advertising.”
The evolution is not about discarding the past, but about using it as fuel for what comes next. As culture, commerce, creativity and code increasingly converge, The Advertising Club is positioning itself as the platform that connects the dots and keeps the industry moving forward.
