Hires & Promotions: Anymind Group, AuthBridge, Crayons Advertising

AnyMind Group appoints Siddharth Kelkar and Aditya Aima to lead India & MENA operations

AnyMind Group, a BPaaS company for marketing, ecommerce and digital transformation, has appointed Siddharth Kelkar as the managing director, performance business, AnyMind Group, and Aditya Aima as the managing director, growth markets, AnyMind Group. They have been given additional responsibility to co-lead the company’s India and MENA operations as co-managing director, India and MENA.

They will replace Rubeena Singh, who leaves AnyMind Group on October 15, 2024.

In their expanded roles, Kelkar and Aima will jointly spearhead operations for the India and MENA region, leveraging their expertise to drive business expansion, foster strategic partnerships and enhance the company’s presence in these key markets.

Kelkar and Aima joined AnyMind Group through the acquisition of POKKT, a mobile advertising platform, in 2020, and have been with POKKT for seven and five years respectively. These leadership changes come with the group’s strategic viewership to position the company for success and scale up its operations in the two regions. 

On the appointments, Kosuke Sogo, CEO and co-founder of AnyMind Group says, “Both Siddharth and Aditya have proven themselves to be strong leaders in their respective fields, and are always thirsty for new growth, directly reflecting a trait that runs through our management team. We are confident that with their leadership, we are able to help even more businesses become borderless in what is a vast region that possesses great potential.”

Siddharth Kelkar has been a part of the media industry for over 20 years and has worked across digital, print and broadcasting mediums. Before joining AnyMind Group and POKKT, Kelkar held leadership roles in SVG Media, Ozone Media and Reliance Games (Zapak). He has also worked with The Times Group, Hindustan Times and CNBC TV18
On his appointment, Kelkar shares, “I’m excited to take on this expanded responsibility at a time when both India and the MENA regions are at the cusp of transformative growth in digital, marketing, and e-commerce landscapes. Leveraging AnyMind’s cutting-edge solutions, we aim to drive innovation, empower businesses, and build deeper partnerships that will fuel long-term success for our clients across these key markets. I look forward to working with Aditya and the wider team at AnyMind to further scale our presence and impact.”

Aditya Aima has over two decades of experience, including the ad tech, broadcast and publishing industries. Before joining AnyMind Group and POKKT, Aima held leadership positions in Culture Machine Media, Astro Malaysia, Bloomberg TV and Turner Broadcasting System.

On his appointment, Aima comments: “It’s an honour to co-lead the India and MENA regions, which present immense opportunities for growth. With the rapid digital transformation happening across both markets, we are uniquely positioned to help businesses unlock their full potential using AnyMind’s integrated platform for marketing, e-commerce, and digital transformation. Together with Siddharth, we are committed to driving strategic initiatives that will not only support our clients but also solidify AnyMind’s leadership in these dynamic markets."

Naveen Goyal joins AuthBridge as chief of technology and products

AuthBridge has named Naveen Goyal as chief of technology and products. With over two decades of experience in the internet space and a proven track record of founding successful online ventures, Goyal will play a pivotal role in driving AuthBridge's technological innovation and product development.

Goyal brings a wealth of expertise from his successful stints in e-commerce, travel, and gaming. His entrepreneurial journey has taken him across the globe, with successful exits in India, the Philippines, Ireland, France, Costa Rica, and Canada. His deep understanding of emerging technologies and his passion for building trust ecosystems will be invaluable to AuthBridge as it continues to expand its offerings and strengthen its position in the market.

"We are thrilled to welcome Naveen to the AuthBridge family," says Ajay Trehan, founder and CEO at AuthBridge. “His extensive experience in the technology sector and his passion for building innovative solutions align perfectly with our mission to provide cutting-edge authentication services. We are confident that under his leadership, AuthBridge will continue to be at the forefront of the industry.”

Before joining AuthBridge, Goyal held key leadership positions in various organisations, where he demonstrated his ability to scale businesses and deliver exceptional results. His strategic vision and innovative approach to problem-solving will undoubtedly contribute to AuthBridge's growth and success.

Goyal expresses, "AuthBridge's commitment to delivering exceptional authentication solutions is inspiring," he said. “I am eager to leverage my experience to drive innovation and help AuthBridge further establish itself as a leader in the market.”

Crayons Advertising appoints Rohit Thakkar as vice president - revenue and growth

Crayons Advertising has reported the return of Rohit Thakkar as VP of revenue and growth.

In his new role, Thakkar will focus on new client acquisitions and implementing strategies to boost business growth and revenue. With over 22 years of advertising experience under his belt, he is set to play a vital role in Crayons’ exciting plans for the future. He will be located in the Mumbai office.

Crayons Advertising's managing director Kunal Lalani shares, “We’re delighted to welcome Rohit back to the team! His extensive experience and impressive track record will be key to driving our strategic goals and enhancing our company.”

Thakkar, who previously worked at Crayons, brings a wealth of knowledge from his time at agencies like Mirum (formerly Social Wavelength), MX, and BMEG.

“I’m excited to be back at Crayons—it feels like coming home,” mentions Thakkar. “I look forward to collaborating with this talented team again and pushing our growth initiatives forward.”