Board Member Category: Speaker 2023

Yesudas is in the communication business for over 26 years, working in India and overseas with companies like Grey Worldwide, IPG, BBDO & Dentsu. In 2017 he launched Y&A Transformation, based on a clear understanding that fluidity and dynamism in the customer mobility is challenging businesses and transformation meant paving the way for for more agile, collaborative, innovative and adaptive methods of doing business. He is also strategic advisor to the Mathrubhumi Group. He is currently all set to launch the global tech and data company Channel Factory in India, in partnership with Y&A.

In his past assignment, he was MD – Indian Subcontinent at Vizeum, Dentsu. The company featured in client satisfaction as well new business gains chart in a leading position. Many industry recognitions also came its way including Spikes. Campaign in its independent assessment of media agencies placed Vizeum ahead of many other long running media agencies. R3 book of 40 best integrated global cases had a case of Vizeum India covered in it.

He spoke and practiced digital way back in 2000 and was responsible for the launch of Digital Initiatives, IPG media group’s digital agency. He was also responsible for the introduction of first ever shopper marketing avenue in East Africa (during his tenure as Regional Director for IPG media). He believes in the people power and developed various front running managers and led them for exceptional performance. His team members represented India at the Cannes young lions.

He is passionate about writing and teaching. Many of his articles have appeared in leading publications like Economic Times. He is a regular speaker at various forums and often quoted in media. He is also a mentor to start-ups with the premier business school NMIMS. Business India, India’s premier Business Magazine, had predicted him to be a front runner way back in 1995. He was one of the 3 managers chosen from across Asia Pacific for Business Development Person of the year award by Media, HK, in 2003. He has been on thenjury for Festival of Media Asia, Spikes Asia, and various other Indian awards. He sat on the media committee of Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Media forum of AAA of I, joint IBF-AAAI Body. He was also a managing committee member of the Ad Club Mumbai and a member of International Advertising Association.

He is an avid cyclist and marathon runner. He and his friends have also set up a thanksgiving foundation with a view to put a smile on faces of people who often do thankless jobs for the benefit of others. He has also recently conceptualised Food4Sweat, motivating people to burn calories and the burnt calories becoming food for the needy.

Robin believes in disrupting traditional thinking and business models. He doesn’t do anything because it's easy. Fail fast and learn quickly is the mantra that drives him. Robin has the ability to spot the right talent and create a conducive environment for them to thrive in. Another quality he possess is, nothing ever misses his radar. He is foresighted and passionately rallies behind his team to ensure they succeed.

He combines a lifelong passion for entrepreneurship with an impressive track record as a global business leader in digital media and technology. At each stop in his career, he has proficiently managed revenue and P&L growth having built businesses around the world, including the Nordic region, London and New York.

Robin founded an online video network operating across Europe that was acquired by Adconion in 2012, at this time he became the Managing Director of the company's Nordic region. He successfully built the company's advertiser, publisher and recruitment strategy from the ground up in that region, and developed extensive experience with agencies that were beginning to embrace online video as a main catalyst in the shift in marketing from TV towards online & digital beginning with pre-roll advertising in the North American Territory.

Robin previously worked as the Director of New Ventures for an International Publisher based in Sweden and London, where he was working with Founder founder to wrap and propose multiple business models around founder concepts. Worked closely with R&D to understand consumer sentiment and participate in focus groups driving marketing and business model decisions. Prior to that. his career stops included work as a business and technology consultant for large companies throughout the region.

In his current role at Channel Factory (CF) he is responsible for global growth and development of the google certified CF proposition which helps advertisers align their brand with the best content and reach the right audience most cost optimally. Large global advertisers use the CF platform today and under Robin’s global leadership CF has been doubling their ad investments, on behalf of its clients, with YouTube, every year surpassing US$ 550 million mark last year. India is clustered as part of the global growth markets for CF and latest country where CF has launched. Robin, together with all his global responsibilities, is currently ensuring no stones are unturned in building and scaling up the India business.

Abhishek Biswal is the Business Head for Airtel IQ (CPaaS Business of Airtel) and Airtel Ads. Abhishek has been with Airtel since 2018 and has been an integral part of product journey for B2C Acquisitions, Digital Channels, Advertisements, Pay & Financial Services.

His team is now building platforms that can help brands acquire, engage with relevant customers and deliver differentiated customer experience by leveraging Airtel’s insights on its 450+ Mn customers.

ONDC – Marichi Mathur is the Category Leader for FnB at Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). He is responsible for expanding the network in terms of participants and the growth strategies for the category. He is a multi-disciplinary business professional with over 23 years of B2B2C & B2C experiences, across India, Middle East and Africa, working with and leading teams in multi-cultural cross-functional business environments. He comes with rich experience, having previously worked in FMCG, Telecom, Ecommerce, Health tech & food tech companies.

Sahasranshu Pattanaik is currently working with ONDC as a Category Lead for Grocery in Network Expansion division. He has over 10 years of experience in Strategy Consulting-Sales acceleration and Sales transformation , FMCD and FMCG Sales & Distribution. He has successfully launched new territories and new products for E-commerce, Edutech and Logistics marketplace start-ups at a Pan India level.

Badrinath Mishra is a Vice President in the Network Expansion Function at ONDC and working as the Category Leader for Fashion and Beauty & Personal Care. He comes with over 14 years of experience in digital commerce, consumer tech, business strategy, catagory management, and collaborations across Fashion, Beauty, and FMCG sector. He has been a versatile business profile with organisations like Fabindia, Snapdeal, and Vestige prior to ONDC.

John is an executive leader with over 25 years of experience in digital transformation, software development, and product design. He is a pioneer in the digital industry, having started, built and led numerous software and digital agencies, including founding Fusion (now part of the WPP Group) and leading Hogarth’s digital offering in the AU markets.

Working with many clients across broad industry sectors, John has successfully addressed their business challenges by creating innovative digital products – leading teams of designers, developers, organisers and creative thinkers in doing so. His work has won numerous national and international design and business awards.

John joined CitrusAd as Chief Product Officer two years ago and leads the vision for the product, as well as the platform’s design and development. He is a member of the Executive team and plays a crucial role in the company’s culture and strategic direction.

John has a passion and an optimistic belief that we can always do things better, and complacency limits business innovation and improvement.