Shoonya, the trading and investment platform of Finvasia Group, has appointed Basant Dhawan as its Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), as the company looks to strengthen its brand positioning, digital marketing and customer acquisition efforts.
In his new role, Dhawan will oversee the platform's marketing strategy, with a focus on expanding its reach among retail investors and attracting customers beyond its existing base of active traders.
The appointment comes as Shoonya seeks to increase awareness of its investment services and engage first-time investors through digital campaigns, customer education and marketing initiatives.
Dhawan brings nearly three decades of professional experience across financial services, news broadcasting, sports, over-the-top (OTT) entertainment and telecommunications.
Before joining Shoonya, he served as Chief Operating Officer at Polymaxx Adhesives, where he was associated with the company's business operations.
He previously held the position of Group Chief Marketing Officer at Capri Global Capital, overseeing brand marketing, strategic communications, digital marketing and social media activities across the group's lending and sports businesses.
During his tenure at Capri Global Capital, his responsibilities included managing marketing communications across different business verticals and supporting the group's brand development initiatives.
Dhawan has also held senior leadership positions in the media and entertainment industry.
At Network18, he served as Chief Executive Officer of English and Business News, overseeing television news brands including CNN-News18, CNBC-TV18, CNBC Awaaz and CNBC Bazaar.
His responsibilities covered the group's English-language and business news operations, providing him with experience in audience engagement and media business management.
Earlier, Dhawan was Senior Vice President and Head of Emerging Sports at Disney Star, where he worked on the launch and development of sporting properties including the Pro Kabaddi League, Indian Super League and Premier Badminton League.
His career also includes a stint at Vodafone India, where he served as General Manager, Media and Digital, gaining experience in telecommunications marketing and digital communications.
At Shoonya, Dhawan's cross-sector experience is expected to support the platform's efforts to develop its brand presence and reach a broader audience of investors.
The company has also introduced Upside, a market education platform offering expert-led courses for traders and investors.
The initiative forms part of Shoonya's broader efforts to support investor education and improve access to information for individuals participating in financial markets.
The appointment places digital marketing and customer education among the company's priorities as it works to expand its customer base.
Shoonya has not disclosed specific customer acquisition targets, marketing investment figures or a timeline for the initiatives under Dhawan's leadership.
His appointment adds a dedicated marketing leadership function to the platform as it continues developing its positioning within India's online trading and investment services market.
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