Moves and wins roundup: Week of 29 April

AndAnd Brand Partners undergoes leadership expansion

AndAnd Brand Partners (&&) has appointed Abhi Sengupta, previously with BBH, as creative director, bringing over 15 years of experience with major brands such as Pepsi and Pizza Hut. Joining him are Shyamakanta Pradhan and Nandini Pathania, both noted for their creative contributions to the agency. Additionally, on the client relationship front, Pinaki Sarkar and Diganta Sinha continue to strengthen client engagement and business strategy. Rajesh Minocha, partner at AndAnd, expressed excitement about the new appointments, emphasising their role in addressing complex brand challenges with innovative solutions.

1Crowd partners with Pitchfork Partners 

1Crowd, an early-stage venture capital fund, has announced a strategic partnership with Pitchfork Partners, a PR agency known for its expertise in strategic communication. This collaboration aims to enhance 1Crowd's brand visibility, effectively communicate its vision, and promote the success stories of its diverse portfolio of startups. Leveraging Pitchfork's proficiency in crafting narratives, 1Crowd intends to amplify its impact and outreach within India's startup ecosystem. 

Hindustan Unilever appoints Vipul Mathur as executive director of Personal Care

Hindustan Unilever (HUL) has appointed Vipul Mathur as executive director for Personal Care, effective June 1. Mathur has also been appointed as a member of its Management Committee, succeeding Madhusudhan Rao. Mathur, who began his journey with HUL in 2003 as a management trainee after graduating from IIM Calcutta, currently oversees growth and transformation for South Asia at Unilever. With a track record in customer development and marketing within various sectors including home care, personal care, and nutrition, Mathur has notably led significant projects like the Kan Khajura Teshan, India’s pioneering mobile-based radio platform. 

Hemant Shringy appointed chief creative officer at FCB Ulka

Hemant Shringy has been appointed as the new chief creative officer of FCB Ulka. Bringing over two decades of experience in the advertising industry, Shringy will work closely with FCB Ulka CEO Kulvinder Ahluwalia and engage with leaders within FCB Group India to elevate creative standards and output. Known for his innovative and curious approach to advertising, Shringy has effectively guided major brands such as P&G’s Ariel, Whisper, and Visa towards distinctive and successful campaigns. His track record of fostering creativity and business growth aligns perfectly with FCB's mission. Shringy shared he's excited about the prospects of creating impactful work and establishing robust client relationships at FCB Ulka.

Priya Barve appointed India’s client lead for Hindustan Unilever at WPP

Priya Barve has joined WPP as the client lead for Hindustan Unilever Limited in India, bringing with her over two decades of extensive experience in advertising and marketing. Barve has previously held significant leadership positions with notable firms such as Google, Mondelez, and Leo Burnett in the Asia-Pacific region. Her background offers a broad and diverse perspective on communications and media, with her experience on both the agency and client sides, as well as her engagement with tech platforms. Barve's deep understanding of the rapidly evolving consumer and digital landscapes in emerging Asian markets will be invaluable in her new role. 

Satyendra Mallik named CEO at Infinity Advertising Services

Satyendra Mallik has been appointed the new chief executive officer at Infinity Advertising Services, where he is set to drive the agency’s global expansion and strategic international partnerships. Mallik joins Infinity with over two decades of experience, having significantly contributed to growth and transformation in various sectors, including consumer electronics, mobile, and IT/ITES. Previously, he has held leadership roles at Eastmen Auto & Power Ltd, Intex, Trident Group, Hero Group, and Salora, among others. His extensive background in market analysis, consumer behavior, and business processes positions him well to lead Infinity into its next phase of growth and innovation.

Brand Visage Communications secures digital marketing mandate for Fab Essentials by Fabindia

Brand Visage Communications (BVC) has successfully acquired the digital marketing mandate for Fabindia’s Fab Essentials following a competitive multi-agency pitch. This partnership will utilise BVC's expertise in social media management and digital strategy to enhance Fab Essentials' brand visibility, connect with its target audience, and business growth. Fab Essentials, a prominent player in the personal care industry, aims to deepen its market penetration and strengthen consumer engagement in India's D2C sector.

SGA PR partners with The Sleep Company to enhance D2C brand communications

SGA PR, a consultancy in India, has announced a strategic partnership with The Sleep Company (TSC), a leading comfort-tech brand. This collaboration aims to bolster SGA PR's presence in the D2C communications sphere. TSC, known for its comfort-tech products, is set to leverage SGA PR's expertise in navigating the challenges of the D2C market. 

Whisper Media enhances advisory board with appointment of Nidhee Kekre

Whisper Media, a leading tech-driven media company in India, has announced the addition of  Nidhee Kekre to its advisory board. With a robust career in business strategy and development, particularly within the FMCG and BFSI industries, Kekre brings over two decades of strategic insights and industry expertise to Whisper Media. Her previous role as WPP client lead for Unilever, South Asia, and her experience managing diverse client portfolios makes her an asset in driving Whisper Media's strategic initiatives and growth. 

Vinny Abhishek appointed AVP at Omnicom Media Group

Vinny Abhishek has been named the new AVP and head of commerce business at Omnicom Media Group, where he will lead the commerce offerings under OMG's eCommerce branch, Transact. Abhishek joins OMG from Cheil, where he served as a business head, managing media planning, buying, and eCommerce initiatives for Samsung, as well as leading the non-Samsung business vertical. Bringing 13 years of experience as a data-driven digital marketer, Abhishek has a robust background in digital media sales, planning, and buying, along with a deep expertise in E-commerce marketing. Prior to his tenure at Cheil, he was part of MRM McCann, the digital arm of McCann Worldwide.

Amagi appoints Richard Perkett as chief product officer

Amagi, a leader in cloud-based SaaS technology for broadcast and connected TV, has announced Richard Perkett as its new chief product officer. With over 25 years of experience in product management, UX, and engineering, Perkett is poised to drive the company's strategic product initiatives. His role will focus on aligning product strategies closely with customer needs, aiming to develop solutions that address their unique challenges. His prior experience includes a significant tenure at Rapid7, where he developed a comprehensive cybersecurity platform. 

Virtue Worldwide appoints Saumya Baijal as director of brand strategy

Virtue Worldwide, part of Vice Media Group, has appointed Saumya Baijal as the new director of brand strategy to strengthen its leadership team in India. Virtue specialises in helping brands find their authentic voice within cultural epicenters. Baijal brings with her a diverse background and extensive experience in advertising, having worked with major networks like Ogilvy, McCann Erickson, and MullenLowe Lintas Group. Her past collaborations include high-profile brands like Absolut and Google.

Juicy Chemistry selects Social Beat for digital creative mandate

Juicy Chemistry, an ECOCERT-certified organic personal care brand, has chosen Social Beat as its new digital marketing agency to handle its digital mandate. This decision came after a competitive multi-agency pitch, highlighting Social Beat’s reputation for innovative strategies and notable results in the digital marketing realm. Tasked with driving brand awareness and consideration, Social Beat will focus on producing creative, relatable content across Juicy Chemistry’s diverse product lineup. The agency plans to enhance brand recognition and increase revenue through targeted digital campaigns on platforms such as Meta and Google, and by collaborating with affiliates and influencers.