MAM
Vandini Gupta named 1441 Pizzeria brand and business head
Mumbai: 1441 Pizzeria has announced the appointment of Vandini Gupta as brand and business head.
As the brand expands into new domains, this appointment comes as a crucial and strategic decision to lead the brand as a QSR available in every part of the country and give it a fresh and unique direction in the hospitality industry, the brand said in a statement.
Founder Krisha Gupta said that this announcement works as a great start for the brand’s newly launched ‘vegan pizza’ which was a “brilliant” initiative suggested by Vandini herself. “In the past two years, Vandini has been an active part of 1441 Pizzeria. Her instincts and passion for food are tremendous and we are thrilled to see our brand reach a much higher standard with her expertise. We are extremely excited for this new journey and looking forward to elevating the brand as a leader in the QSR in India,” Gupta added.
Vandini has experience in finance and has worked with luxury brands in India. She was previously associated with Morgan Stanley in London and Tano Capital in India. In addition, she also manages the French beauty brand – Mary Cohr and has also worked with the luxury brand – Truefitt & Hill.
Speaking on her new role, Vandini said, “Hospitality is largely intangible and the key to success in the F&B industry translates far deeper than just the transactional sense of filling in the tables and serving food. It is important to connect the brand with audiences and 1441 has achieved this with many successful collaborations and initiatives. Looking forward, one of the important aspects for us is to revolutionise the concept of pizzerias in India by reaching in every part of the country as a leader in QSR and introducing the audiences to truly authentic Italian pizzas in both dine-in and delivery formats.”
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.
