Social media platform Snapchat is making a big bet on the Indian market. The company has significantly expanded its India leadership team, doubling its size since last year. This move underscores Snapchat’s commitment to growing its user base and becoming a major player in the Indian digital landscape.
“India presents a unique and large opportunity for us to invest and grow,” said Pulkit Trivedi, Managing Director of Snap Inc. India. “With this leadership team, we are committed to serving our Indian Snapchatters, while also building value for advertisers, creators, and AR developers.”
The new hires bring a wealth of experience across various digital media sectors. Leading the charge is Saket Jha Saurabh, who joins Snapchat as the Director of Content, Partnerships, and Augmented Reality (AR). Saurabh is a veteran of the digital media industry with over 20 years of experience. Previously, he held leadership positions at Meta and #fame, a creator-focused venture. At Snapchat, he will be responsible for fostering partnerships with content creators and public figures, as well as building an ecosystem for AR developers.
Snapchat is placing a particular focus on AR, a technology that overlays computer-generated images on the real world. With Saurabh’s expertise, the company aims to tap into the growing excitement surrounding AR in India and empower creators to leverage this technology.
Chirag Kohli joins the team as the Head of Growth. With a decade-long stint at Amazon under his belt, Kohli will focus on user acquisition, engagement, and revenue expansion strategies.
Driving revenue growth will be a key focus for the newly expanded team. Amit Ojha, Neha Jolly Sawhney, and Yagnesh Ravi will lead the charge as India Agency Lead, India Sales Head, and Ads Solutions Lead respectively. They bring a combined experience of over five decades in sales, brand management, and digital advertising.
Ensuring trust and compliance with local regulations is crucial for any multinational company operating in India. Uthara Ganesh takes the helm as the Head of Public Policy for India and South Asia. Ganesh brings extensive experience in public policy, having previously worked with Amazon Web Services and the Indian government.
Rounding out the leadership team are Lekshmi Geetha, Head of People for India, and Poonam Nikam, Head of Communications for India, Singapore & Japan. Geetha’s expertise in human resources management will be vital in fostering a strong company culture, while Nikam’s experience in communications will help build brand awareness and engagement across the region.
This strategic expansion of Snapchat’s India leadership team signifies the company’s serious ambitions in the world’s largest democracy. With a team boasting a diverse range of expertise, Snapchat is well-positioned to take advantage of the booming Indian digital market and connect with its massive Gen Z user base.
