BS People: Vineet Taneja

Samsung gets new boss to boost handset sales

Selling mobile services may not be vastly different from selling mobile phones. But Vineet Taneja, the new country head for Samsung India's mobile and digital imaging business, knows the stakes are higher this time round, especially as Samsung is seen to be losing its grip on the Indian market.

However, the field is not entirely new for Taneja, who was looking after the mobile services division of the company for the past 18 months. He has marketed mobile handsets for more than two years while working at Nokia, Samsung's biggest competitor in the Indian market.

Samsung is, however, facing a major challenge from Nokia in the smart features phone category as a result of its Asha series. However, the Korean company has hit back with its own challenger in Rex, launched last month. It is a war which Samsung has to succeed if it wants to continue its leadership in the smartphone and smart features phone market.

Prior to joining Samsung, Taneja was with Bharti Airtel. He is credited with successfully leading the launch of 3G and driving the data and devices business for Airtel in south India. He has also led Airtel's business in Sri Lanka.

An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta, and the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, he started his career with Hindustan Lever where he looked after sales & marketing for the beverages and foods business.

"With his vast experience, I am confident that he will further consolidate our brand position and take it to the next level in India," says B. D. Park, president and chief executive officer, Samsung South West Asia.