Starcom MediaVest Group (SMG) India has announced the appointment of Natasha Kapoor as vice president - Mumbai, and Gautam Surath as vice president - strategic planning director (national). Both positions have been newly created.
Kapoor has more than 15 years of media experience. Prior to this, she was at Samsung India, where she handled investment, brand activation and strategy for its media procurement and process audit division. In past assignments, she has worked with Mediacom and Mindshare Fulcrum.
She said, "I believe SMG offers a unique opportunity in the market for staff and clients alike. Nowhere else in India can you find a world class digital and data and analytics practice coupled with great media tools, systems and thinking resulting in a great all round product. It is a wonderfully challenging assignment and I am looking forward to it.”
Surath moves in after four years as business director at SMG China in Guangzhou.
He said, “Quite frankly, having started my career at Starcom and having worked here ever since, moving back to the India office from China was a bit of a no-brainer. Having seen the company evolve with evolving consumer trends, I have no doubt that our vision is the right one. Exposure to the global marketplace has only strengthened my belief in this regard. Exciting times in India and it’s great to be back home!”
Hanley King, chairman, SMG India, added, “Natasha and Gautam bring key skill sets to complement and enhance our offering to clients in India and both Malli and I look forward to working with them.”
