Shankar will oversee Starcom IP India's offices in Mumbai, Bangalore and New Delhi. He will be based in Mumbai and report to Ravi Kiran (pictured), Starcom’s chief executive for South Asia and specialist solutions in Asia.
Shankar was most recently integrated media director at Euro RSCG Singapore, running the Dell Computer account.
“Hari is the only one of the half dozen candidates that we spoke to who does not view digital as just an advertising tool but as part of the whole marketing process," said Kiran. "He is able to see how digital will impact the clients’ business and we think he is the man to help us grow in India.”
Vanka will now focus on winning new businesses in India and reports directly to Hong Kong-based Pushkar Sane, Starcom IP Asia’s general manager.
Meanwhile, Pranay Anthawal, who has been holding dual responsibilities as GM of Starcom Entertainment and Starcom IP in India, will relinquish duties for the latter. He now focuses his attentions on Starcom Entertainment, the group’s entertainment and embedded marketing arm, reporting to Kiran.
“Over the last three years, both Starcom IP and Starcom Entertainment have grown rapidly. As we prepare to put both into a higher gear, we decided to give them independent leadership who can focus on their respective visions,” said Kiran.
