MAM
Zoo Media & KraftJar partner to boost experiential marketing and IP development
Mumbai: In a strategic move within the Indian Experiential Marketing industry, Zoo Media, an Indian agency network, and experiential marketing agency KraftJar are partnering to deliver seamless, end-to-end experiential marketing solutions, combining offline (on-ground) and digital strengths to drive business growth & end-user experience. Here’s a look at their joint vision and its impact on the Indian market.
Brands often face the challenge of maintaining a unified narrative while managing multiple agencies. One of the primary motivations behind this partnership is the need for a consistent and cohesive marketing strategy that spans both offline and online platforms. This partnership offers a streamlined end-to-end solution, ensuring that brand messaging remains consistent and impactful across all channels.
“Offline and digital marketing have often operated in silos, and our partnership with KraftJar is set to change that. By integrating consumer touchpoints both offline and online, we are in a unique position to weave consumer stories that transition and integrate the digital world,” emphasised Zoo Media Network co-founder Suveer Bajaj.
Leveraging Experiential Marketing for Indian Brands
KraftJar’s core expertise of conceptualizing & curating long-term experiential intellectual properties for brands will now be accessible to Zoo Media’s extensive client base across the Indian subcontinent.
‘‘We are really excited about our partnership with Zoo Media,’’ stated KraftJar co-founder Sandeep Pandit. ‘‘We strongly believe that there is immense opportunity in India when it comes to Intellectual Properties (IPs) in Experiential Marketing and brands are yet to tap into the full potential of this space. In Zoo, we have found a partner that shares our DNA and core values. Combining Zoo’s immense experience and specialized tools in digital marketing with KraftJar’s IP approach & experience, we form a powerful team. Together, we can devise cohesive strategies that help brands scale to the next level while creating a loyal tribe of followers through experiential marketing initiatives.’’
KraftJar co-founder Parth Desai expanded on that, “Our philosophy has always been to work alongside brands as partners to impact brand visibility and genuine engagement with their target audiences. This partnership gives us the ability to leverage Zoo Media Network’s extensive client base and set up the platform to create new experiences for the end consumers.”
In an era where marketing is becoming increasingly complex, this partnership stands as a symbol of simplicity and efficiency. Brands no longer need to juggle multiple agencies and points of contact. Instead, they can rely on this unified powerhouse to solve their complex marketing problems with a cohesive strategy and execution plan.
The teams at Zoo Media and KraftJar share a remarkable synergy, bringing together a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the market dynamics. Their combined expertise will enable clients to receive service and strategic insight to the highest standards, making this partnership a natural fit
Talking about the partnership, Suveer said, “Zoo’s growth strategy has involved diversification from a services company to building products and IPs, and this partnership is aligned with our goals. By helping our brand partners establish Intellectual Property for themselves, we ensure that we are intrinsically building value for them (and for ourselves). Sandeep and Parth demonstrate the key traits of entrepreneurship that align well with our culture and values at Zoo.”
This strategic alliance between Zoo Media and KraftJar is set to offer a comprehensive, unified solution that bridges the gap between offline and online marketing.
MAM
Kate Rouch steps down as OpenAI Chief Marketing Officer
Marketing leader prioritises health after late-stage breast cancer diagnosis.
MUMBAI: When the toughest battle moves from the boardroom to the personal front, even the sharpest minds know it’s time to step back and focus on winning the most important fight of all. Kate Rouch, chief marketing officer at OpenAI, has announced she is stepping down from her role to focus on recovery following a diagnosis of late-stage breast cancer.
In a heartfelt LinkedIn post, Rouch revealed she was diagnosed around a year and a half ago, shortly after taking on the CMO position. Despite undergoing intensive treatment, she continued to lead the company’s marketing function through what she described as one of the most challenging periods of her career.
She explained that while she remained deeply committed to her role and team, she had reached a point where prioritising her health and recovery had become essential. Rouch called the decision difficult, noting it required acknowledging personal limits and shifting priorities. She reflected that the experience had reshaped her understanding of courage not always about pushing harder, but sometimes about stepping back to focus on long-term wellbeing, family and sustainability.
Rouch expressed gratitude to her team and colleagues for their support. She mentioned that Gary will step in to help lead the function and recruit a successor. She plans to support the transition and remains open to returning in a different capacity in the future, depending on her health.
Prior to joining OpenAI, Rouch served as the first chief marketing officer at Coinbase and spent over a decade at Meta, where she was vice president and global head of brand and product marketing.
She also thanked well-wishers for their messages and shared that stories from fellow survivors had a meaningful impact during her treatment journey.
In the high-stakes world of tech marketing, Kate Rouch has always been known for her strategic brilliance. Now, she is showing a different kind of strength, one that reminds us that even the most driven leaders sometimes need to pause, heal, and come back stronger when the time is right. Wishing her a full and steady recovery.
