Ajit Mohan Leads Snapchat's Business Growth as CBO

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Ajit Mohan took the helm as Snapchat's Chief Business Officer, leading the company's business growth.

His experience in the tech industry, including his time at Facebook and Amazon, laid the groundwork for his success at Snapchat.

Mohan's tenure at Facebook saw him play a crucial role in expanding the company's reach in India, a key market for the social media giant.

A key factor in Mohan's success at Snapchat was his ability to leverage his experience in the Indian market to drive business growth for the company.

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Early Life and Career

Ajit Mohan was born in Kochi, Kerala, and grew up in the neighborhood of Eloor's Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore Limited.

He received a scholarship to study in Singapore at the age of 18 and earned a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in computer engineering from Nanyang Technological University.

Mohan also earned a master's degree in international relations from the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University, and a Master of Business Administration degree in finance from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

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Early Life

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Credit: pexels.com, Tree branches with early spring buds silhouetted against a clear blue sky.

Mohan was born in Kochi, Kerala.

His father completed signals intelligence work for the Indian Air Force and fought in the Sino-Indian War.

Mohan was raised in Eloor's Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore Limited neighborhood.

At the age of 18, he received a scholarship and boarded his first flight to study in Singapore.

He earned a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in computer engineering from Nanyang Technological University.

Career

Mohan's career began at Arthur D. Little in 1997.

He worked as a consultant at McKinsey & Company from 2005, focusing on media projects that required him to work closely with film and TV studios, production companies, and online gaming.

Mohan co-authored McKinsey Global Institute's 2010 report "India's Urban Awakening: Building inclusive cities, sustaining economic growth", which addressed urbanization in India.

In 2012, Mohan joined the Star Network, where he held various roles including senior vice president and executive vice president.

He became the head of its digital business in 2013, launching the live sports platform Starsports.com and Star India's streaming media platform Hotstar in 2015.

Recommended read: When McKinsey Comes to Town

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Mohan played an important role in Star India's foray into video streaming when Star Sports started to live stream the ICC World Twenty20 cricket tournament in 2014.

He was later named chief executive officer (CEO) in April 2016, and worked at the same role at Meta India after Facebook Inc.'s rebrand in 2021.

Mohan stepped down from the role as vice president and managing director of Facebook India Online Services Pvt Ltd in November 2022 to join rival Snap Inc.

Professional Achievements

Ajit Mohan has had a remarkable career in the tech industry. He joined Snap in February 2023 as the President of the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.

Mohan's experience in the APAC region significantly enhanced Snap's presence and business. He played a crucial role in expanding the company's footprint in the region.

As the Vice President and Managing Director of Meta India, Mohan served for nearly four years.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Snap Inc Ipo Date

Board Service Recognition

Ajit Mohan's impressive professional journey has been recognized through various board service and recognition. He was elected vice chairman of the Internet and Mobile Association of India in 2021, a notable achievement that highlights his expertise in the field.

Director Viewing the Video
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Mohan has also been chairman of the organization's Entertainment Sub Committee, a position that demonstrates his leadership skills and ability to navigate complex issues. He has been credited for his role in leading Hotstar to great success and helping to build the platform into India's biggest online video service.

In addition to his work with the Internet and Mobile Association of India, Mohan has also been an advisory board member of the US–India Strategic Partnership Forum since 2021. This position showcases his commitment to promoting stronger US-India bilateral commercial and strategic ties.

Mohan's influence extends beyond his professional roles, as he was ranked number 48 in India Today's 2020 "power list" of 50 people who "rise" above the ordinary in extraordinary times. The magazine credited him as a "leader in the country's social media domain" and noted that he had doubled Facebook India's profit.

Here are some of the notable recognition he has received:

  • Ranked number 48 in India Today's 2020 "power list" of 50 people
  • Described as a "leader in the country's social media domain" by India Today
  • Noted for doubling Facebook India's profit by India Today

Vision

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Credit: pexels.com, Close-up of a camera placed on brown paper with 'Social Media Marketing' text, emphasizing digital marketing themes.

Ajit Mohan's leadership is expected to drive innovation in advertising formats. This is a testament to his expertise in the technology and media sectors, where he's spent over two decades.

Mohan's appointment as CBO reflects Snap's commitment to leveraging seasoned leadership. He will focus on aligning revenue product and business operations teams to better serve advertising partners.

As CBO, Mohan will ensure cohesive strategies across all regions. This will further solidify Snap's position in the global market.

Mohan's experience will help navigate the evolving digital advertising landscape. His leadership will foster stronger industry partnerships, which is a key area of focus for Snap.

Professional Trajectory

Ajit Mohan's Professional Trajectory is quite impressive. He joined Snap in February 2023 as the President of the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.

During his tenure at Snap, Mohan significantly enhanced Snap's presence and business across APAC. He brought a wealth of experience to the role.

Before joining Snap, Mohan served as the Vice President and Managing Director of Meta India (formerly Facebook India) for nearly four years.

Snap Promotes APAC Head as CBO

People at the Business Meeting
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Ajit Mohan, the Asia Pacific head of Snapchat's parent company Snap Inc., has been promoted to the role of Chief Business Officer.

He will be responsible for growing the company's advertising business across all regions.

Mohan joined Snap two years ago and was instrumental in growing the company's business and presence across the Asia Pacific region.

As the APAC head, he was part of the executive team and made significant contributions to the company's growth.

Mohan has a strong background in business leadership, having previously served as vice president and managing director of Meta for nearly four years.

He also headed Star India's video streaming services platform Hotstar as its CEO.

Before joining Snap, Mohan worked with consulting firms McKinsey and Arthur D Little, and held various roles at Star India, including senior vice president and executive vice president.

Professional Trajectory

Ajit Mohan's professional trajectory is a testament to his leadership skills and ability to drive business growth. He joined Snap in February 2023 as the President of the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.

Credit: youtube.com, Your Career Path Doesn't Have to Be a Straight Line

Mohan's tenure at Snap was marked by significant enhancements to the company's presence and business across APAC. His experience in the region was a major factor in his appointment.

Before taking on the role at Snap, Mohan served as the Vice President and Managing Director of Meta India (formerly Facebook India) for nearly four years. His time at Meta India was a defining period in his career.

As the Chief Executive Officer of Hotstar, Mohan played a pivotal role in establishing it as India's leading premium video streaming platform.

Richard Harvey-Nolan

Junior Writer

Richard Harvey-Nolan is a rising star in the world of journalism, with a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling. With a background in economics and a love for finance, he brings a unique perspective to his writing. As a young journalist, Richard has already made a name for himself in the industry, covering a range of topics including precious metals news.

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