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MTV India appoints Ryan Mendonca as head of creative
MUMBAI: MTV India has appointed Ryan Mendonca as the head of creative for its youth business which includes MTV and MTV Beats.
The recipient of multiple wards including Cannes Lions and the Young Achievers Awards by The Advertising Club in 2009, Mendonca will report to Viacom18 Youth and English entertainment head Ferzad Palia.
With more than a decade of experience in the world of advertising, prior to joining MTV, Mendonca worked with Ogilvy & Mather where he developed campaigns for iconic brands from Unilever, Cadbury, Perfetti and more. Known for being a man who lets his work speak for himself, over the years, Ryan has not only worked to deliver exemplary campaigns for clients but has also won accolades both nationally and internationally. As he takes over the Head of Creative for MTV, Ryan’s primary responsibility will be to lead the team at MTV and MTV BEATS to push the creative boundaries with brand communication across the MTV universe of TV, digital and branded content.
Palia said, “People are the biggest asset of our business and we are continuously looking for talent that believes in the power of MTV and are also hungry to push the envelope and challenge status quos. Ryan is one of the hottest young creative minds in the industry today and going by the work that he has been doing, I believe he is the perfect fit for our multi-platform business, the MTV universe. Now, as we are gearing up for some exciting launches and with multiple new initiatives in the pipeline, Ryan is going to have his hands full at MTV. All I can say is, welcome to the madness Ryan!”
Discussing his new role, Mendonca said, “Like several others from my generation, I grew up on MTV. It showed us the way, it was our voice. Now I join that voice again. It’s a privilege to be working alongside the brightest minds in the industry. I look forward to the ride.”
During his stint with Ogilvy & Mather, Ryan handled creative duties for brands like Mondelez (Bournvita), ICICI Bank and BCCI (IPL) and has worked on several other brands such as Unilever (Dove, Ponds), Kodak, Perfetti, Star, Zigy, Apollo hospitals, Breakthrough Trust, Taj Holidays, World Gold Council and KFC amongst others. In his decade-long illustrious career, Ryan has not only made a name for himself as a creative hotshot but has also been the recipient of numerous awards. The Advertising Club of India named him Copywriter of the Year and Social Thinker of the year in 2009. His other laurels include being awarded at Cannes, The One Show, London International, Spikes Asia, WARC, Effies (India and Asia), AMEs and Young Guns to name a few.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
