InMobi the largest independent mobile ad network has appointed Sandeep Deshpande as its country General Manager, India. Sandeep has over two decades of experience in working with and supporting the growth of new businesses in Internet, Gaming, Telecom space. He has previously been associated with Yahoo, Alibaba, Rediff , Birla AT & AT. He has also had short stints with Level Up Games Inc. as VP Marketing and MailGen as a Co-Founder. He would be responsible to drive InMobi’s business operations and growth in India.
Vishal Nongbet has been appointed as Head – Brands, InMobi. Vishal is an IIM Ahmedabad graduate and has been associated with Pepsi, Times Music, Kodak over his career. He has also been associated as the Head Marketing of SMSGupshup a mobile marketing start up.
Speaking on the appointments Naveen Tewari, Founder and CEO, InMobi said - “We are pleased to have Sandeep and Vishal’s vast experience to head our rapidly expanding operations in the Indian market. With their unique blend of experience in technology, expertise in e-commerce and brand marketing capabilities, we are confident that both Sandeep and Vishal will play an important role in identifying new business opportunities and further expanding our operations in India".
Sandeep Deshpande said on his appointment – " I do hope that my experience in setting up new business and in online marketing will help me take InMobi to new heights."
With rising penetration of mobiles, smart phones across segments and increasing mobile as impressions there is definitely a heightened seriousness by mobile advertising players to leverage the upcoming and potential opportunities underlying the sector. InMobi is also looking high on the opportunities in the Indian market. The company expects the mobile advertising market in India presently at $25 million, to hit $60-80 million by 2014.
InMobi is backed by venture investors such as SoftBank, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers and Sherpalo Ventures.