Hires & Promotions: IKEA, Carnival Cinemas, Walt Disney, Havas

Aparupa Sur roped in as Communications Operation Manager of IKEA India

Aparupa Sur has joined IKEA India as Communications Operation Manager. Previously, Sur was the Founder and Director of The Crazy Yogi which is an artisanal Coffee and Luxury Wellness brand.

Sur has 18 years of work experience in Marketing, Brand Management, Media Planning and Strategy development in Banking with key expertise across Brand Management, Product Marketing, New Product Development, Customer Engagement Programs, Consumer Insights, Market Research, Media Relations and Corporate Social Responsibility.

In all these years of her career, Sur has contributed to prominent organizations like Societe Generale, Kotak Mahindra Bank, ICICI Bank, EURO RSCG, and Confluence Communications.

Carnival Cinemas brings back ex-COO Vishal Sawhney as CEO

Multiplex chain Carnival Cinemas has brought back their former Chief Operating Officer Vishal Sawhney as their new Chief Executive Officer. Sawhney will be reporting to Shrikant Bhasi, Chairman, Carnival Group.

“Sawhney comes with close to two and half decades of experience primarily in the entertainment, real estate and hospitality industries in India, Middle East and USA. He has worked with companies like Landmark group & PVR group,” the company said.

“In 2016, Sawhney came on board with Carnival Cinemas as the COO and later continued as a consultant with Carnival. He now joins back full time as a CEO to steer the company towards accelerated growth and profitability,” they added.

Talking about the association with Carnival Cinemas, Vishal Sawhney said, "I'm excited to be back, though I was never distanced from Carnival. 18 months have been challenging for the entire industry, but having said that Carnival Cinemas has what it takes to continue on its path of growth and reach. The pandemic has slowed us down a bit but, with the leadership of Dr Shrikant Bhasi and the teams' strength on the new strategic approach we will re-establish our positioning and deliverance to our customers."

Walt Disney appoints Susan Arnold as Chairman

Walt Disney has elected Susan Arnold as its new Chairman. This is the first time that the entertainment giant has elected a woman to this position in its 98-year history. Arnold, who has served as its independent Lead Director since 2018, will succeed Robert A Iger as Chairman when he departs at the end of the year. She has been a Disney board member for 14 years. Prior to this, Arnold was an operating executive of the equity investment firm The Carlyle Group, where she served from 2013 to 2021. In an announcement made by Walt Disney Company Board of Directors, it was stated that the company has elected Arnold as Chairman of the Board, effective December 31, 2021. 

"As I step into this new role as chairman of the board, I look forward to continuing to serve the long-term interests of Disney's shareholders and working closely with CEO Bob Chapek as he builds upon the company's century-long legacy of creative excellence and innovation," Arnold said in a statement. “On behalf of the Board, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Bob Iger for his extraordinary leadership over the past decade-and-a-half,” Arnold said. “Bob has led Disney to amazing heights both creatively and financially, with his clear strategic vision for delivering high-quality branded storytelling, embracing cutting-edge technology, and expanding internationally, and he’s left an indelible mark on The Walt Disney Company that will be felt for generations to come", she added.

Arnold brings to her role extensive public-company board experience and in-depth knowledge of brand management and marketing, environmental sustainability, product and business development, international consumer markets, finance, and executive and risk management. Previously, she served as President—Global Business Units of Procter & Gamble from 2007 to 2009. Prior to that at Procter & Gamble, Arnold was Vice-Chair—Beauty & Health from 2006, Vice-Chair—Beauty from 2004, and President—Global Personal Beauty Care & Global Feminine Care from 2002. She was a Director of McDonald’s Corp. from 2008 to 2016, and a Director of NBTY, Inc. from 2013 to 2017.

According to reports, Iger will leave the company by the end of this month. He had stepped down as Disney's chief executive in 2020 after 15 years in the role. “Susan is an incredibly esteemed executive whose wealth of experience, unwavering integrity, and expert judgment has been invaluable to the Company since she first joined the Board in 2007,” said Iger, Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board. “Having most recently served as independent Lead Director, Susan is the perfect choice for Chairman of the Board, and I am confident the Company is well-positioned for continued success under her guidance and leadership. It has been a distinct honor to work with Susan and our many other talented directors, and I am incredibly grateful for the support and wise counsel they have provided during my tenure", Iger added. 

Havas Group India restructures Havas Worldwide (Creative) leadership

As part of the ongoing restructuring of the senior leadership team at Havas Worldwide India, Havas Group India has elevated Arindam Sengupta and Prashant Tekwani to new profiles. Prior to this, Manas Lahiri was elevated as Managing Director and Ravinder Siwach as ED & National Creative Director of Havas Worldwide India, respectively. The phased restructuring of the agency comes on the back of unprecedented growth in the last 2 years, which has resulted in Havas Creative Group India being in the top league of new business rankings. 

Arindam, Managing Partner - West & South, has been promoted as Chief Client Officer of Havas Worldwide India and Head – Group Integration. He will also continue to head the French automobile brand Citroen India, and other key clients of Havas Worldwide India. As Head of Integration, he will work closely with the leadership team of all the Havas Group companies, drive higher growth and business collaboration, which will dovetail into the overall Better Together philosophy of Havas Group India. 

Prashant Tekwani, Executive Vice President and Business Head, Havas CX, which was launched in India in late 2020, will now additionally also head the Mumbai operations of Havas Worldwide India, working closely with Manas Lahiri. He will continue to lead and build Havas CX and accelerate digital transformation and consumer experience-led brand strategies. 

 Arindam and Prashant (as head of Havas CX) will continue to report to Rana Barua and work closely with the senior leadership of Havas creative and the group companies. 

Rana Barua, Group CEO, Havas Group India, said, “Despite the challenges of the last two years, as a network, we have witnessed unprecedented growth through new business wins, acquisitions and extending several global expertise to India. All of which has helped us build a marquee list of new clients and partnerships. Havas Group India has emerged as one of the strongest integrated networks in India, offering our clients effective solutions through collaboration and coming together of the best talent and expertise. I am confident both Arindam and Prashant will continue to drive excellence and take us to greater heights."