Lucknow, 27th March 2024: SLMG Group, India’s largest independent bottler of Coca-Cola in India and South West Asia, today announced the appointment of Costin Mandrea as Chief Executive Officer of Coca-Cola SLMG operations. With more than 25 years of rich experience in the beverage industry, Mr Mandrea brings a wealth of expertise and strategic vision to his new role.

Costin Mandrea has held key leadership positions at Coca-Cola Bottling System in Western and Central Europe, Russia, and Japan, where he demonstrated expertise in driving business growth through company-wide transformation, sales force operations, customer engagement, and route-to-market strategies.

Commenting on the appointment, S N Ladhani, Chairman and Managing Director, Coca-Cola SLMG said, ` With great pleasure, we welcome Costin Mandrea aboard as the CEO of SLMG Group. His proven track record of leadership and strategic acumen makes him a perfect fit to lead our company into its next phase of expansion and success. ‘’ Amidst our accelerated growth phase at SLMG Group, we firmly believe Costin to be the perfect leader to navigate us towards unprecedented success. With his proven track record and dynamic approach, we are poised to achieve remarkable milestones under his guidance added Mr. Ladhani.

Upon his appointment, Mr. Mandrea remarked, “I am honored and excited to join Coca-Cola SLMG as its Chief Executive Officer. I look forward to collaborating with the talented team and leveraging my experience to drive innovation and growth for the company.’’

Mr. Mandrea holds a degree from the University of Bucharest and has participated in numerous leadership development programs throughout his career. His tenure at Coca-Cola has been marked by successful transformation initiatives and strategic leadership roles, contributing significantly to the company’s profitability and market presence.

Coca-Cola SLMG extends its warmest congratulations to Mr. Costin Mandrea on his appointment as Chief Executive Officer and looks forward to achieving new milestones under his leadership.

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Viacom18, a leading entertainment conglomerate in India has announced the appointment of Kiran Mani as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of its Digital Business division. With an extensive background in digital innovation and strategic leadership, Kiran Mani’s addition to the Viacom18 team further solidifies the company’s commitment to expanding its digital presence and enriching its offerings for audiences across the country.

Mani is currently Google’s General Manager and MD for Android and Google Play for Asia Pacific. In this role, Mani will be responsible for spearheading the growth of JioCinema, which has disrupted the video streaming market with its free proposition.

Mani has been with Google for more than 13 years. He also had prior stints with Microsoft, Ogilvy, and IBM.

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Hindware Home Innovation Limited Appoints Salil Kapoor as Chief Executive Officer

Hindware Home Innovation Limited (HHIL), a pioneer in the home improvement and lifestyle solutions industry has announced the appointment of Mr. Salil Kapoor as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective 11th July 2023.

Mr. Kapoor brings with him a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success in the consumer goods and lifestyle sector. With his dynamic leadership and strategic vision, HHIL is poised to achieve new milestones and drive exponential growth in the ever-evolving market.

Salil Kapoor will lead the consumer business overseeing both consumer appliances and retail divisions along with the water heater JV with Groupe Atlantic of France. “His focus will be on fostering profitable and sustainable growth while elevating the company’s market position in line with the long-term objectives of the Group,” the company said in a statement. Salil Kapoor has expertise in market expansion, innovation, and building strong customer relationships and the company is looking forward to him strengthening Hindware Home Innovation’s position in the industry as a key segment player.

Salil Kapoor has previously worked with leading brands like LG Electronics, Samsung, Microsoft, Dish TV, and Voltas. Before joining Hindware Home Innovation, he was the Business Unit Head of the appliances business unit at Orient Electric.

Speaking of the announcement, Sandip Somany, Chairman and Managing Director, Hindware Home Innovation Limited said, “I am delighted to welcome Mr. Salil Kapoor as the new CEO. We are deeply committed to making Hindware Home Innovation a leading consumer appliance brand and offer our customers high-end innovative products. He is an exceptional business leader with an excellent track record across multiple leading companies in the consumer goods industry. His experience and profound understanding of the consumer appliance industry aligns well with our growth ambitions.”

Commenting on his appointment, Salil Kapoor, CEO, Hindware Home Innovation Limited said, “I am thrilled to join Hindware Home Innovation Limited, one of the most consumer-focused appliances companies in the Indian market. With disruption being the new norm, HHIL is leveraging deep consumer insights and the latest technology to offer differentiated and best-in-class products that can add value to fast-evolving consumer lifestyles. I look forward to collaborating with the highly talented team and committed partners to leverage our collective strengths and further build on the company’s success, explore new avenues for growth, and deliver exceptional value to our customers and stakeholders.”

Mr. Kapoor is an Engineer and also holds a Master’s degree from the Faculty of Management Studies, New Delhi. He also contributes to the industry as an Executive Committee Member at the Consumer Electronics and Appliances Manufacturers Association (CEAMA) and serves as a Member of the Board of Directors at the Electronics Sector Skills Council of India (ESSCI).

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Quick Heal Technologies, a leading provider of cybersecurity solutions has announced the appointment of Mr. Vishal Salvi as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Mr. Salvi, a seasoned industry veteran with a wealth of experience in the technology sector, brings strong leadership acumen and a proven track record in driving business growth.

Prior to joining Quick Heal Technologies, Salvi held the position of Global Chief Information Security Officer, Business Head of Cybersecurity Service Line & Senior Vice President at Infosys Ltd. During his tenure, he played a crucial role in shaping the information and cyber security strategy across the Infosys Group. Salvi’s extensive expertise in cybersecurity and information technology has been honed through various leadership roles at renowned organizations such as PwC, HDFC Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Global Trust Bank, Development Credit Bank, and Crompton Greaves.

Dr. Kailash Katkar, Chairman and Managing Director, Quick Heal Technologies Ltd., will continue the role of Chairman and Managing Director. Dr. Katkar’s exceptional leadership has been instrumental in the company’s remarkable growth and success. Under his visionary guidance, Quick Heal expanded its presence in the enterprise cybersecurity space in 2015 with the introduction of the acclaimed brand ‘SEQRITE’ while retaining a dominant market share in the retail segment. With his proactive direction, the company embraced a goal to make ‘Cybersafety a fundamental right for all’ and continue to make significant efforts to address the awareness gaps that have left billions of individuals, businesses, and governments vulnerable to cyber-threats worldwide.

Expressing his confidence in the new leadership appointment, Dr. Kailash Katkar stated, “I warmly welcome Vishal Salvi to the Quick Heal family. Our team has tirelessly worked to deliver robust cybersecurity solutions, and I take immense pride in the significant business value we have created for all stakeholders. With customer centricity and innovation as our driving forces, I am confident that Quick Heal will continue to secure individuals, organizations, and nations. Together with Vishal Salvi as our CEO, we are fully committed to transforming the cybersecurity ecosystem in India and solidifying our position on the global map.”

In response to his appointment, Vishal Salvi commented, “I am deeply honored to assume the role of CEO at Quick Heal Technologies Ltd. Quick Heal has earned a solid reputation as a trusted leader in the cybersecurity industry, and I am incredibly excited to lead this exceptional team into the future. In the face of constantly evolving cyber threats and the critical importance of prioritizing digital security, I am fully committed to the shared goal of making ‘Cybersafety a fundamental right for all.’ I am eager to drive growth, cultivate a culture of innovation, and provide unmatched value to our customers and stakeholders. Together, we will strive to create a cyber-secure world for everyone.”

The appointment of Vishal Salvi as the CEO and with Dr. Kailash Katkar as the Chairman and Managing Director marks a significant milestone for Quick Heal Technologies Ltd. Their combined expertise, leadership, and industry knowledge will further fortify the company’s position as a global leader in cybersecurity.

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Motilal Oswal Group has appointed Sukesh Bhowal as the Chief Executive Officer of Motilal Oswal Home Finance Limited (MOHFL).

Sukesh Bhowal brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role. With a strong track record of leadership and a deep understanding of the financial markets, Sukesh is poised to lead the Motilal Oswal Group to new heights of success. His strategic vision and client-centric approach align perfectly with the company’s commitment to delivering superior financial solutions and services.

MOHFL, a leading new-age Housing Finance Company in India, is registered with the National Housing Bank (NHB) and operates across 12 states in India. The company has gained prominence in the industry and is a fast-growing business within the Motilal Oswal Group. In the financial year 2022-23, MOHFL achieved an impressive year-on-year profit growth of 44 percent.

Commenting on the appointment, Motilal Oswal, MD & CEO of Motilal Oswal Financial Services, said, “We are delighted to welcome Sukesh as our new Chief Executive Officer of the Home Finance business. Further, the addition of Shobhit, Rajesh & Priyanka will strengthen our Home finance business. The new team and Sukesh, with their extensive knowledge and proven experience, make an invaluable addition to the Company as we pursue our ambitious goals of further expanding and enhancing our home finance operations.”

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Krishan Kumar Chutani, who was previously the CEO of Dabur International and left the company in January 2023, has now taken on the role of CEO at Haldiram’s.

Before joining Haldiram’s, Krishan Kumar Chutani worked at Dabur for almost 26 years.

Krishan Kumar Chutani has been pioneering the innovation game at Dabur since 1992. Fondly known as KC, he led Dabur International business with an annual turnover of more than AED 1.2 billion and is responsible for its operation in countries in the Middle East and Africa, the USA, the UK, Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan, China, and Southeast Asia, CIS, and other emerging markets. As a visionary business leader, he has been instrumental in transforming a home-grown brand into an international leader in Ayurveda-based products, without drifting away from core values.

Dabur’s international success can be attributed to his keen sense of analysing the next wave in international consumer business and surfed innovatively to not just make profits but also breakthrough products. Dabur’s success in international business stands strong on KC’s acumen for exploring newer avenues to eventually build brands that are game-changers in their respective categories. He has crafted Dabur’s international growth story by spotting opportunities and has been a major driving force behind Dabur’s diversification and meteoric rise in various consumer product segments.

Mr. Chutani has a master’s degree in Business Economics Management from Delhi University, and he has also completed executive education programs from IIM Ahmedabad and Insead. Additionally, he has finished the Global Advanced Leadership Program from Kellogg School of Management.

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Dish TV India proposes Manoj Dobhal as CEO after Anil Dua quits

The board of directors of Dish TV India has proposed the appointment of Manoj Dobhal, the current Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the company, as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) following the resignation of current CEO Anil Dua.

The proposed succession is a result of Anil Dua’s submission to relieve him from his current responsibilities as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, a position he has held since May 2017.

After a successful 6-year stint, Anil Dua, CEO, Dish TV India Limited, put forward his request to move on, to the Board of Directors of the Company. Dua had joined the Company in May 2017, at the foundational juncture of the Dish TV and d2h merger and has been instrumental in steering the Company through the complex merger and post-merger processes.

The Company took on several new initiatives including upgrading its technology backbone under Dua’s leadership. Headend optimization and modernization, introduction of smart devices, unveiling of the Android box and launch of OTT aggregation services being the key amongst them.

Dua would be at the helm for 3 more months to ensure a smooth transition for Dobhal who would be the CEO-Designate till the requisite regulatory approval from MIB, for his appointment as CEO is received.

Speaking on his decision to move on, Anil Dua, said, “It was a tough decision for me considering the new and exciting phase that the company is in, the efforts put in by the whole company behind a string of new initiatives and a few tasks yet to be taken to their envisioned completion. Over the next three months, Manoj and I would be working closely to ensure a smooth and seamless leadership transition.”

Manoj Dobhal, in his career spanning 24 years, has worked in various operational and strategic roles at pan India level with brands like Colgate, Dabur, Reliance Communication, Tata Play and IndiaCast Media. In his current role as the COO of the company, Dobhal has been providing operational leadership to the organization in sales, distribution, marketing, field service as well as customer engagement and retention.

Manoj Dobhal, CEO-designate, Dish TV India Limited, said, “Dish TV India Limited is at the cusp of transition from a pure linear distribution company to an all-round distributor of television and streaming content with an ocean of opportunity ahead. I look forward to making the organization even more agile and come out with compelling & leading-edge products to cater to today’s integrated technology, media and telecom customers.”

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Dentsu has appointed Prerna Mehrotra as chief client officer of the APAC region, expanding her current remit as CEO, Media, APAC. In this newly minted role, Prerna will focus on designing and delivering an elevated client experience across the agency’s creative, media and customer experience management (CXM).

Rob Gilby, CEO APAC, dentsu, said: “Prerna joined dentsu in 2016 as our Head of Investment and has continued to show her star quality, working across divisions and clients. This appointment is a huge testament to Prerna’s tenacity and growth mindset. She consistently demonstrates outstanding leadership and understanding of the changing client and consumer landscape, innovating products and services to capitalize on new opportunities for growth. I look forward to working closely with her in her new capacity and a critical new role for the APAC region.”

“In the last two decades, I’ve worked with a diverse mix of clients across many verticals and markets including Singapore, China and India. I find real joy in understanding a client’s business challenge and collaborating with them to solve these challenges. One thing has always been clear – my commitment to put forward the best of my agency’s expertise in creating a competitive advantage for the brands I work with. I can’t wait to continue this journey, pooling together the best talent, capabilities, and thought leadership to drive excellence for the clients we work with.” said Prerna Mehrotra, chief client officer and CEO, media, APAC, dentsu.

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The Public Relations Consultants Association of India (PRCAI) has elected a new managing and executive committee at its annual general meeting held on May 12, 2023.

Atul Sharma, CEO, of Ruder Finn India and head, of the Middle East, has been re-elected as the president, who has been the president of the association since 2021.

He will be supported by Kunal Kishore, founder and director, of Value 360 Communications, who will be serving his second term as the VP, and Vineet Handa, founder and CEO, of Kaizzen PR, elected as the new Secretary, part of the managing committee (MANCOM), working along with the PRCAI CEO, Deeptie Sethi.

Starting this year, executive Committee (EXCOM) positions have been constituted as part of restructuring the responsibilities, aligned to drive progress on specifically identified areas through four National Chairs.

Atul Sharma, president, of PRCAI said, “It’s an honour to be re-elected as president for a second term. I look forward to working with Kunal Kishore, Vineet Handa, and our new National Chairs. We will continue to set high professional standards, focus on ethics, and collaborate, co-create and celebrate with our member firms in their growth and prosperity.”

The four elected EXCOM National Chairs include:

1. Nikhil Dey, executive director, of Adfactors PR, will assume the role of National Chair- Talent and Academia.
2. Neha Mehrotra, managing director, of Avian WE, will handle the charge of National Chair- Growth and Standardization.
3. Girish Balachandran, founder, ON PURPOSE, will be responsible to take on National Chair -marketing communication and global network
4. Santanu Gogoi, founding partner, First Partners Communications, will assume the role of National Chair- Learning and Thought Leadership

The newly elected leadership team will serve a two-year term, commencing in May 2023 and concluding in May 2025 and work collaboratively with the PRCAI secretariat and members.

Deeptie Sethi, CEO of, PRCAI said, “I would like to thank the outgoing leaders for their contributions and look forward to working with this terrific new leadership team, aiming to not only grow and serve our members better but also take on industry challenges to further the public relations industry.”

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