MAM
Viacom launches new ad sales division to lead GenX products
MUMBAI: In a move to tap new social and data products for ad sales, Viacom has launched a new division within Viacom Ad Sales called Velocity Products Group, which is designed to bring multi-platform social partnerships, products, and services to clients.
In addition to offering a specialized set of Velocity Product experts that are aligned with each Ad Sales team, the group harnesses the collective power of Ad Sales’ social and data products to super-serve clients. The Velocity Products Group will also drive partnerships with key external social media platforms, including Snapchat, Twitter, and Tumblr.
“Intense demand for our innovative products during this Upfront season made it a strategic necessity to create a group singularly dedicated to evolving and developing our industry-leading offerings. As the industry’s largest sales distribution network, Viacom’s Ad Sales organization and the new Velocity Product Group bring our ad partners unrivalled creativity, cutting edge possibilities, and expertise to connect them with our highly-engaged millennial audience,” said Viacom head of sales Jeff Lucas.
Year-over-year, Ad Sales has doubled the number of advertisers utilizing the suite of product offerings from the Velocity Product Group, totaling more than 100 blue chip clients after this year’s Upfront.
Elizabeth Herbst-Brady, who reports to Lucas, oversees the team in her expanded role as executive vice president of Ad Sales Strategy and Products. Reporting to Herbst-Brady are SVP Strategy Kalina Nikolova as well as Sarah Iooss, who steps into the newly created role of SVP, Velocity Product Group. Deborah Brett has been named VP of Velocity Products Group reporting to Iooss.
This new team of nearly two dozen Velocity Product experts is charged with growing strategic partnerships, spearheading product development, and augmenting sales efforts across the entire Viacom network portfolio.
The group will also be the bridge between advertising partners and 645 million socially engaged fans across Viacom’s brands.
Velocity Product Group’s offerings consist of a comprehensive slate of solutions, including:
• Viacom Vantage – Using a combination of Viacom’s proprietary data and third party data from multiple sources, Vantage offers advertisers precise consumer targeting and unmatched predictive capabilities
• Echo – A strategic approach to harnessing Viacom’s unparalleled social reach with customized programs for ad partners. The groundbreaking analytics tool, Echo Social Graph, measures engagement deeply and holistically by tapping multiple social platforms, including those outside of Viacom’s own portfolio.
• The Social Talent Platform – Velocity makes talent engagement turnkey by giving advertisers direct access to a growing roster of social superstars for custom campaigns.
• Integration+ – This offering gives advertisers added flexibility and choice when customizing their branded entertainment opportunities.
• Pulse Real-Time Marketing – An exclusive multi-platform functionality that puts partners into the cultural conversation with sharable content in their authentic voice.
• Social Media Advertising Partnerships – Key social media partnerships with Twitter, Snapchat, and Tumblr bolster the reach and impact of social-by-design campaigns.
Brands
SBI General Insurance appoints Shrish Mahuli as chief business officer
Industry veteran with 24 years’ experience to drive growth and distribution
MUMBAI: SBI General Insurance has appointed Shrish Ramchandra Mahuli as chief business officer, strengthening its leadership team as it looks to accelerate growth and deepen market reach.
In his new role, Mahuli will oversee the company’s overall business strategy, expand distribution channels and drive customer-focused growth initiatives across key markets. The move comes as the insurer sharpens its focus on profitable growth and enhanced customer engagement.
Mahuli brings over 24 years of experience across the insurance and automotive sectors. He has previously held leadership roles at Reliance General Insurance, ICICI Lombard General Insurance and Tata Motors, where he worked on scaling businesses and strengthening distribution networks.
SBI General Insurance managing director and CEO Naveen Chandra Jha said, “We are delighted to welcome Mr Mahuli at a time when the industry is witnessing strong momentum driven by rising awareness and evolving customer needs. His deep domain expertise and proven leadership will be instrumental in strengthening our distribution footprint and driving profitable growth.”
SBI General Insurance chief business officer Shrish Ramchandra Mahuli said, “I am pleased to join SBI General Insurance at a time when the industry is evolving rapidly. I look forward to working with the team to further strengthen the business and drive sustainable growth.”
The appointment underlines the company’s push to build leadership depth and deliver more accessible, customer-centric insurance solutions in a rapidly evolving market.
