Hires & Promotions: Metro Brands, Ipsos Strategy3, Tata Digital

Metro Brands appoints Meenakshi Samantaray as Head of Marketing

Meenakshi Samantaray, previously with Zee Entertainment Enterprises (B2B) as Vice President - Marketing and Communications, has joined Metro Brands as Head of Marketing.

She states, "After spending an enriching half decade with Zee Entertainment Enterprises, it was time to take the next strategic career move. As a protege of Unilever and Future Group India, my heart and core have always been in the lifestyle and retail category. A large part of me has always been inclined to return to a space that could allow me to amalgamate my experience in live entertainment and sports marketing."

The post further adds, "And it seems destiny was on my side! I am thrilled to announce that I am joining Metro Brands Limited as the Head of Marketing for their Sports Division."

She started her career at Hindustan Unilever, and went on to work across Future Group India and Acc Cement. At HUL, under the brand management division, she looked after brand building and media planning- ATL/BTL, media ( digital and mainstream), public relations, and assisted shopper's selling program in store for the body lotions category.

Ipsos Strategy3 appoints Rajashree Ivaturi as Partner

Rajashree Ivaturi, who led Quess Corp as VP, has joined Ipsos Strategy3 as a Partner.

She states, "I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as a Partner at Ipsos Strategy3! To my former colleagues at QuessCorp, thank you for the memories and the invaluable experiences we shared."

Ivaturi started her career as a market research executive at ADMAR Service, and went on to work across Feedback Business Consulting Services and LabourNe Services India.

She is experienced in consulting across functional areas of marketing, customer support, distribution and partnership programs. This is followed by program management of large and complex projects; and time-sensitive delivery of 500+ engagements delivered to customers encompassing Engineering, IT, automotive, healthcare, education and food & beverages verticals.

Tata Digital undergoes organisational restructuring

Tata Digital is undergoing an organisational restructuring in its senior management under the leadership of its chief executive officer, Naveen Tahilyani, who had taken up the position in February.

Venkatachalam H. has been appointed as the new CEO and MD of Tata AIA Life Insurance, subject to regulatory approval from IRDAI. Venkatachalam H. took over from the current CEO and MD Tahilyani. As per reports, Tahilyani was also promoted to the role of non-executive director at Tata AIA Life Insurance Company.

Modan Saha, who led Tata Digital’s fintech business as its CEO is moving to Tata Sons. Bhanu Pathak, Shoumyan Biswas and Gaurav Porwal will step down after serving their notice period. They were brought on board by former president Mukesh Bansal.

Pratik Pal, who had served as the CEO of Tata Neu, too is moving back to Tata Sons. The exit of Pal from Tata Neu came at a time when Tata Digital had been experiencing several top-level exits over the past months.