Author: Kashmeera Sambamurthy

FM e-auctions response | Influencers violating ad rules | Ghost job listings | Flipkart, Amazon lead e-com consumer complaints in FY24

Given the current challenges related to reserve prices and operational costs, experts say the auction is more about survival than growth for the radio players. (Representational image by Alexey Ruban via Unsplash)

Storyboard18 brings you top five news updates from the world of advertising, marketing and business of brands.

AI-generated audio series expanded content library by 36X: Pocket FM

India stood out as a key market, with millions of listeners tuning in from its cities. The top 10 cities included Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, Surat, Chennai, Jaipur, and Lucknow, revealed the report. (Image Source: Unite.AI)

This led to massive financial success, with over seven audio series surpassing $10 million in revenue – a 600 percent increase from 2023, stated Pocket FM Playback 2024.

Zepto elevates Shashank Shekhar Sharma to CXO – Zepto Cafe

Sharma brings almost two decades of experience in driving business transformation and scaling operations.

In his new role, Shashank Shekhar Sharma will oversee Café operations, footprint expansion, equipment procurement, quality control, and the end-to-end customer experience of Zepto Café.

NielsenIQ appoints Joe Ellis as MD – India

Based in Mumbai, Joe Ellis' experience includes two previous assignments in India, where he established the company’s proprietary simulated test marketing division, BASES, in 2004, and later spearheaded the expansion and digitization of NIQ’s retail measurement services in 2013.

Joe Ellis has held several pivotal leadership roles during his 25-year career at NielsenIQ

Flipkart’s former VP – Business Finance joins Zomato’s Blinkit as CFO

Vipin Kapooria began his career at Birlasoft (India) Limited as finance executive - accounts receivable and then was elevated to financial controller - APAC. Then, he joined Whirlpool India as manager - financial planning and analysis - India operations, and then he joined Yum! Restaurants International as manager - financial planning and analysis where he promoted to head - financial planning.

Vipin Kapooria, previously led Flipkart as vice president business finance.

Two top execs quit Asian Paints

Further, it was also announced in a BSE filing that Asian Paints had approved the appointment of Ashish Rae, currently associate vice president - project sales as associate vice president - retail sales, Marketing & Commercial and as a senior management personnel of the company with effect from 2nd January 2025. (Image Source: Get Vector Logo)

Vishu Goel, who led Asian Paints as associate vice president – retail sales, commercial and marketing, and Shyam Swamy – vice president, home improvement, décor, services & retailing, tendered their resignation.

Ghost job listings in advertising: A fad or phenomenon?

72% of Indian candidates say a strong online professional brand is now critical for success, a perspective shared by 62% of hiring managers.

Is that job for real? The phrase has taken on new meaning. Storyboard18 reached out to creative heads and ad experts to understand the phenomenon of ‘ghost job listing’, its implications on the ad sector, how to evade this trap and a lot more.

Uber names Kristi Argyilan as Global Head – Advertising

Kristi Argyilan also had stints at IPG Mediabrands, Target, Roundel; Bed, Bath & Beyond, and was also a board member, secretary at MMA Global. Argyilan is currently serving as a board member at Zefr.

Kristi Argyilan was the senior vice president – retail media at Albertsons Companies.

Lowe Lintas bags the creative mandate of Complan

This mandate allows Lowe Lintas to leverage its unparalleled expertise in brand storytelling and consumer insights to fuel Complan’s growth and drive consumer engagement by creating deeper connections at local, ethnic, cultural, and sub-cultural levels, stated the company in a statement.

Following a competitive multi-agency pitch, Lowe Lintas is all set to steer Complan’s next chapter of growth and innovation.