MAM
WATConsult appoints Mahesh Nazare as Director – HR and L&D
MUMBAI: WATConsult, the globally awarded hybrid digital agency from the house of Dentsu Aegis Network (DAN), has appointed Mahesh Nazare as its new Director – HR, Learning and Development (L&D).
In his new role, Nazare will oversee the HR vertical at WATConsult with a strong focus on L&D. He will also mentor the team to build and ensure a robust and great organisational culture within the agency.
Armed with more than 18 years of experience across the Indian and Asian diaspora, Mahesh specialises in leadership and management development, creative thinking, communication and effective team building.
A certified Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) practitioner, Nazare has built strong customer and delegate relationships with all his clients ranging from major multi-national companies to local SMEs. He has closely worked and trained mid-to-senior management teams across different industries and verticals.
Speaking on his appointment, Heeru Dingra, CEO, WATConsult said, "Our people are single-handedly the most critical assets and the key differentiator of the company. Their growth and wellbeing are of paramount importance to us, making human resources a vital strategic partner. We are glad to welcome Mahesh to our leadership team. He brings a unique combination of deep L&D experience along with well-honed strategic and business capabilities. I am certain that he will be the right custodian of our company culture and will develop robust strategies to ensure a healthy and engaging workplace.”
Talking about his new role, Nazare said, “I am elated about my new journey with WATConsult. My role is to introduce an agile and an innovative design approach to support the organisation in people development and engagement. Employee efficiency and personal growth is imperative. I am looking forward to interacting with the young and enthusiastic WATizens and create a knowledge sharing platform for them.”
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.
