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Kantar makes management changes at IMRB International
MUMBAI: Kantar has announced a change of leadership at IMRB International, which will see Preeti Reddy take over from long-serving president Thomas Puliyel when he retires in August, this year.
Reddy, currently senior vice-president, will work alongside Puliyel during the next few months as the transition takes effect. Once president, she will report to Kantar president Wayne Levings.
Levings commented, “Thomas has made an outstanding contribution to IMRB and the broader Indian research market throughout his long and distinguished career. Under his leadership, IMRB has continued to improve and innovate around its offering, expanded into new markets and sectors and has been consistently recognised as the leading research agency in India. He leaves with our thanks and best wishes for his retirement.”
Levings further added, “In Preeti, we have an excellent new leader of IMRB. She brings a combination of strong client leadership, general management and consulting capabilities. With the very strong leadership team she has around her, IMRB will continue to build on its world-class foundations.”
Reddy has close to three decades of experience in research and consulting, working with leading Indian and multinational companies. She joined the IMRB group in 2009 when she was appointed CEO of LMRB in Sri Lanka. She has previously worked in consumer consulting at Technopak, was senior vice-president at TNS India and has worked with the BAT group in India.
Reddy said, “I’m delighted to be leading such a diversified and vibrant business which continues to define research in the region. We have a great team of experienced and highly competent managers to head our different businesses and I look forward to working with them to build IMRB into an even bigger and better business.”
In other management changes, effective 1 February, 2015, Jasojit Mookerjea, currently responsible for International Business Unit (IBU) senior vice-president and IMRB One joint head will take on full responsibility for IMRB One as well as heading change management and managing the key account directors within the company.
Currently IBU BAT global account director and vice president Sreeram Sreenivasan will take overall charge as IBU senior vice-president based in London. Diptya Mukherjee will continue in his role as IBU vice-president based in Calcutta. The management team at IBU is being further strengthened under the leadership of Sreenivasan and Mukherjee and the proposed changes will be communicated in due course.
Senior vice-president Vivek Gupta will head the Auto, BFSI and Telecom sectors, while the Brand Science business will be merged into IMRB One.
Puliyel joined IMRB in 1981 as manager, overseas projects and remained with the company until 1992 before moving to set up Research International India as country manager. He returned to IMRB as president in 2000. The company has been named research agency of the year eight times since 2005 and Puliyel has twice served as president of the Market Research Society of India.
Puliyel said, “IMRB is a wonderful place to work in. The open, empowered work environment is a great magnet for the best research talent. The freedom that the company provides makes it a great place to learn and realize one’s potential.”
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Saurav Maheshwari joins NDTV as CTV revenue head (N & E)
Digital sales leader to drive growth of NDTV’s connected TV business
NOIDA: NDTV has appointed Saurav Maheshwari as revenue head – CTV sales (North & East), strengthening its focus on the rapidly expanding connected TV segment.
Maheshwari joins the network after serving as sr. general manager – digital business lead at Republic World, where he spearheaded digital revenue strategy and led cross-functional teams across monetisation, ad operations and digital marketing initiatives.
In his new role at NDTV, he will be responsible for driving growth and expansion of the broadcaster’s connected TV business across North and East India. His mandate includes building strategic partnerships, accelerating revenue growth, strengthening client relationships and delivering innovative advertising solutions aligned with the evolving digital media landscape.
Sharing the news, Maheshwari described the move as an exciting new chapter in his professional journey, adding that he looks forward to creating value with the team and contributing to the development of the connected TV ecosystem. He also expressed gratitude to NDTV’s leadership for their trust and support.
Prior to Republic World, he held leadership positions including assistant general manager – business lead and regional head – north & east at Hungama Digital Media, group head – brand alliances at Shemaroo Entertainment, and sr. manager – digital sales & marketing at CNN-News18. His earlier experience spans roles at BW Businessworld, 4moles.com and Network18 Media & Investments.
With over 15 years in digital ad sales, branded content and business development, Maheshwari now steps into a role that places him at the intersection of television and digital, as NDTV sharpens its CTV revenue play in key regional markets.
