Author: Kashmeera Sambamurthy

Brand Breakthroughs: Micro Influencers Matter – More

We are all marketing to an audience that is overwhelmed by promotional and advertising content. As people carefully curate who they choose to trust and follow for advice and recommendations, micro influencer marketing will only grow in relevance. Not just for brand building but for beefing up the marketing pipeline too, states Infosys' Sumit Virmani. (Image Source: Get Hyped)

The influence that comes from relevant expertise no matter how enticing the follower count is invaluable. These influencers with relatively fewer followers are often better suited to drive sales outcomes as they are readily trusted amongst their specialized target base, writes Infosys global CMO Sumit Virmani in this Brand Breakthroughs column.

JetSynthesys appoints Ryo Shima as CEO – Gaming Division

Ryo Shima has also been instrumental in cross border Game Development (Japan-India-US) in the past at JetSynthesys.

In his new role, Ryo Shima will be charged with steering the strategic direction of the Gaming Division, with a focus on expanding the company’s portfolio, enhancing player experiences, and harnessing advanced technology to deliver groundbreaking gaming solutions, at a time when Indian companies are expanding their global footprint.

Google appoints Mitul Shah as MD – Google Devices & Services

Mitul Shah began his career at Maersk India as a senior executive and then he moved to Infosys Technologies as a consultant - forecasting and supply chain management. As the former principal and lead - CPG Industry Group at Accenture, Shah worked with Consumer Goods and Life Science companies across North America, UK/Europe, APAC and India region.

Mitul Shah previously led Apple as head – consumer sales.

Air India SATS appoints Ramanathan Rajamani as CEO

Ramanathan Rajamani joined SATS Ltd. in 2011. Notably, he also led a fully-owned subsidiary of SATS to win Singapore’s National Productivity Award in 2016. He has held pivotal roles within SATS, including CEO of AISATS from 2018 to 2021, CEO of SATS Security Services in Singapore, and Head of Projects & New Services Delivery across the Asia-Pacific region.

Ramanathan Rajamani started his career in 2001 as an engineer with the Defence Science and Technology Agency, where he played a crucial role in ensuring the reliability of fighter jets for the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF).

Hyundai India faces Rs 5 crore tax demand over alleged tax discrepancies

In a separate update on its financial performance, Hyundai reported a decline in its July-September 2024 quarter earnings. Net profit dropped by 16% to ₹1,375 crore, while revenue fell by 8% to ₹17,260 crore. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) decreased by 10% to ₹2,205 crore, and the EBITDA margin narrowed slightly to 12.8% from 13.1% during the same period. (Image Source: Unsplash)

The tax authority has alleged that Hyundai claimed “excess ITC in GSTR 3B/9, which is not confirmed in GSTR 2B/8A of GSTR 9, along with RCM tax paid by the company.” The total demand outlined includes ₹2.741 crore towards tax and an additional ₹2.279 crore as interest.

Online searches in honeymoon travel trends increased by over 30%: Thomas Cook & SOTC Travel

Couples are celebrating milestone anniversaries at vineyard estates (France and Italy); Premium cruises (Scandinavian Fjords, Caribbean, Polar, Mediterranean, Singapore, Abu-Dhabi), stated the research conducted by Thomas Cook & SOTC Travel. (Image Source: Unsplash)

Andamans, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir, North East, Goa, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Bhutan and Sri Lanka were some of the domestic and Indian subcontinent favourites, stated the research report by Thomas Cook & SOTC Travel.

Unilever’s Ramya Venkat joins Abbott as Director – Integrated Marketing

In a note, Ramya Venkat shared, "As the song goes, every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end. My time at HUL has been nothing short of remarkable and I want to thank everyone who has been a part of my journey. I’m excited for this next professional chapter I’m about to embark upon."

Ramya Venkat started her career at Ogilvy & Mather as an account supervisor and went on to work across Johnson& Johnson, and then joined Unilever as assistant brand manager for Wheel, Sunlight and Magic.

Essar Group co-founder Shashikant Ruia passes away

Ruia, who was on several national bodies and industry associations, was a part of FICCI's (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry) managing committee. He headed Indo-US Joint Business Council as chairman, and was also the president of the Indian National Shipowners Association. (Image source: ABLF)

A first generation entrepreneur, Shashi Ruia started his career in 1965 under the mentorship of his father Nand Kishore Ruia. Then, along with his brother Ravi, he planted the seeds of Essar Group’s foundation, and then planned its business strategy, growth and diversification, stated a media report.