Hires & Promotions: ​L’Oreal India, Start Design Group, Frodoh World, Accenture

Tarun Rai joins Start Design Group, UK as co-chairman 

London-based branding and design consultancy, Start Design Group, has appointed Tarun Rai, as its co-chairman. On the news, Start Design Group says, “We couldn’t have found a better person to join our board and help introduce Start Design Group to the Indian and South Asian markets. Tarun has over three decades of experience in advertising and media and has worked with a host of world-class companies, both Indian and international.  He has strong relationships with his clients, is a proven leader, and has an excellent understanding of branding and design.”

According to David Blair, CEO and co-chairman of Start Design Group, “Tarun and I first started working together in 2006 when I moved to India with my family to set up WPP Group company Fitch’s offices in Mumbai and Delhi. I have always admired his insight, tenacity, and innate ability to build lasting relationships based on trust and understanding. It is great to be working in India again alongside someone as experienced and well-regarded as Tarun”.

Commenting on his appointment, Tarun Rai adds, “I am very impressed by the work Start Design Group has done for so many iconic brands, like Virgin, Barclays, P&G, and Adidas, over its 28 years history. I am also impressed by the breadth of their capabilities which range from branding and digital to experiential design. They have already been operating successfully in the GCC region for many years, for clients like Hamad International Airport, du and Yas Island, and moving further eastwards makes a lot of sense. Especially, since David knows this market so well, having launched and built Fitch’s India operations. David was based in Mumbai for six years and we worked together on many assignments. He then moved to London and went on to become Fitch’s Global CEO. It’s great to partner with him again.”

With over three decades of experience in the advertising and media industry, Rai is an accomplished leader with a proven track record in the Indian and South Asian markets having built some of India’s strongest brands and sharing a rapport with clients that spans decades. After serving as the CEO of Worldwide Media, a joint venture of BBC Worldwide and The Times of India, Tarun re-joined JWT in 2015 as its CEO for South Asia. He was made chairman and Group CEO when JWT merged with Wunderman to form Wunderman Thompson (now VML). After a successful stint in South Asia, he was tasked with the responsibility for the APAC region, covering seventeen countries, as Executive Director.

Rai further states, “Design language is increasingly international. Besides, many Indian companies and brands are no longer limited to the local market but have a footprint across the world. Start Design Group, who have extensive global experience and understand the Indian market well, make ideal partners for ambitious companies.”

L'Oreal India's Pankaj Sharma elevated to MD - consumer products division for Australia, NZ

L'Oreal India's Pankaj Sharma has been elevated to the position of managing director - consumer products division for Australia and New Zealand. 

Commenting on the appointment, Aseem Kaushik, managing director, L’Oréal India states, “Over the last four years, Pankaj Sharma has played a vital role in shaping our strategic omni-channel direction and growth of our consumer products portfolio. He has a proven track record of leading teams to provide exceptional innovation and experiences for our consumers. We wish him success in his new assignment.”

Sharma, a veteran with L’Oréal India and previously head of the Garnier & Maybelline New York brands, has worked across sales and marketing functions. In his last role, he focussed on building brand salience and driving consumer engagement while expanding L’Oréal’s footprint in India through new growth drivers like ecommerce. Sharma has also had a stint in Singapore, where he was responsible for driving the growth story for Garnier in South Asia.

L’Oreal India onboards Raagjeet Garg as director– consumer products division

L’Oreal India has roped in Raagjeet Garg as director – consumer products division (CPD). He will take over from Pankaj Sharma, who has been elevated to managing director- consumer products division, L’Oréal Australia and New Zealand.

In his new role, Gargwill be responsible for the accelerated growth of L’Oreal India CPD which houses L’Oreal Paris, Garnier, Maybelline New York and NYX Professional Makeup. He will lead the company’s initiatives on market growth strategies such as developing innovative product offerings, ensuring effective marketing and distribution, and delivering on both valorisation and democratisation missions.

Commenting on the appointment, Aseem Kaushik, managing director, L’Oreal India says, “I am delighted to welcome back Raagjeet as Director, Consumer Products Division in India. His marketing and business prowess will strengthen our vision to be India’s beauty advisor. Raagjeet brings a pioneering spirit and data driven mindset that will support the transformation of L’Oréal India into a leading Beauty Tech company."

"Over the last four years, Pankaj Sharma has played a vital role in shaping our strategic omni-channel direction and growth of our consumer products’ portfolio. He has a proven track record of leading teams to provide exceptional innovation and experiences for our consumers. We wish him success in his new assignment,” he added.

Garg has over twenty years of experience in personal care and beauty. He joined L’Oreal in May 2009 and successfully rolled out Garnier Men in India. Subsequently, went on to lead L’Oreal Paris in India where he developed the ecommerce business for the brand, ensuring double-digit growth through his tenure. Garg had a stint with L’Oreal Australia in 2019 as the L’Oreal Paris general manager and then moved to L’Oreal Vietnam as the business head - consumer products division.

Garg comments, “India is where I began my career with the L’Oreal Groupe and I’m happy to be back. It is an exciting time to be here, given the growing possibilities of the Indian beauty industry. There is a strong consumption need for science-backed and sustainable innovations. As I take on this role, I look forward to elevating standards, inspiring trust and redefining possibilities in the ever-evolving landscape of beauty in India.”

Shamsuddin Jasani joins adtech firm Frodoh World as strategic advisor

Adtech firm Frodoh World has named Shamsuddin Jasani as a strategic advisor.

In addition to scaling the business and capitalising on emerging market opportunities, Jasani will help in the team's expansion plans. He will also play a pivotal role in the launch of Frodoh World’s digital retail media platform.

Jasani last served as chief executive officer at Wunderman Thompson South Asia. He launched Isobar in India in August 2008 and was also a part of the board of Dentsu Aegis Network’s management in India. In addition to being a seasoned industry leader in the advertising and marketing space, he has a long-standing proven track record in scaling businesses and fostering innovation.

Speaking on getting associated with Frodoh World, Jasani states, “I am really excited about the work we are doing at Frodoh World in bringing innovation to the ad tech space. Frodoh World is at the forefront of the Connected TV revolution, I am excited about working with Russhabh and his team on not only the Connected TV space but also the Digital Retail Media space and many more such avenues that will revolutionize our industry and our offering to clients.”

Russhabh R Thakkar, chief executive officer, Frodoh World comments, “Shams has always been a mentor to me and we believe that his invaluable expertise will catalyze Frodoh's leadership in CTV innovation, Digital Retail Media and our overall company growth. With his strategic guidance, we are poised to pioneer groundbreaking advancements in the CTV space and new ventures in Retail Media further solidifying Frodoh World’s position as a frontrunner in the industry.”

Starting April 2024, this strategic addition to the team is poised to bolster Frodoh World's capabilities, driving its endeavours to the forefront of innovation and facilitating its sustained growth.

Accenture names Imran Ansari as VP - marketing

Imran Ansari has been appointed as the vice president - marketing transformation (data monetisation) for Accenture.

He previously worked at Zeotap as the head of account management - Europe. His stint at Zeotap lasted 6 years.

Ansari has also worked at companies like SVG Columbus, Komli Media, iThink Labs, IndianTelevision and EURO RSCG.

He has an MBA in media management from the International School of Business and Media.