Simple Energy appoints Jitin Johnson and Kevin Thomas to lead marketing and brand strategy

Simple Energy is reinforcing its leadership stack as it prepares for nationwide scale. The Bengaluru-based EV manufacturer has appointed Jitin Johnson as head of marketing and Kevin Thomas as head of brand, signalling a sharper push toward integrated marketing, design-led brand building, and national expansion.

The appointments come at a pivotal moment: Simple Energy is set to open 150 retail stores and 200 service centres across India by March 2026, a massive footprint expansion that requires both brand precision and operational continuity.

Johnson, who joins from River where he served as assistant general manager – digital marketing, brings 14 years of experience across integrated marketing, digital ecosystems, customer experience, and brand development. He will oversee Simple Energy’s full marketing charter — from digital transformation to demand generation, community engagement, and brand equity building.

He sees Simple Energy as more than an EV company. “We are shaping how India moves — through performance, design, and purpose,” he said. “My focus is to build a brand that is emotionally resonant and culturally relevant, not just functionally strong.”

Kevin Thomas joins as head of brand, bringing 13 years of creative direction and design leadership. Previously Principal Visual Designer at Ultraviolette Automotive, he has held creative roles across Amazon, Motorola, and OnePlus. His philosophy blends the engineering rigor of automotive brands with the emotion and storytelling power of visual identity.

Thomas said, “Automotive brands are built on emotion — on the thrill of movement and the stories machines can inspire. My goal is to blend design, intuition, and culture to craft a brand identity that moves riders at a deeper level.”

Smitha Rao, general manager – brand & marketing, said the leadership expansion strengthens Simple Energy’s ability to scale with consistency. “With Jitin and Kevin, we now have a stronger creative and strategic engine to shape meaningful connections and deliver brand coherence across every touchpoint.”

The appointments also reflect a larger narrative in India’s EV category. As the market matures, brands must balance engineering-led credibility with storytelling, design, and long-term community building. Simple Energy’s expanded 40-member marketing team is a sign that the brand is investing heavily in differentiation — not just distribution.

With performance-focused design, a young consumer base, and a rapidly growing retail presence, the company is positioning itself not only as a mobility manufacturer but as a cultural brand that represents aspiration, sustainability, and new-age India.

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