Line, the mobile messenger app offering free voice calling and text messages has named Damandeep Singh Soni as Head of India Business Development effective February 1, 2014.

In his new role, Damandeep will hold the core responsibility of enhancing the brand’s offer to consumers in India. He will lead the brand’s focus in developing partnerships and unique offerings for the market.

Line’s appointment of Damandeep is in alignment with the growing importance of the market in the region for Line.

An official statement said that Damandeep will accelerate Line’s marketing and business development efforts in the country with his understanding of the digital and social media space.

Damandeep Singh Soni, said, “Line has shown extraordinary commitment to the market and I am excited about building and growing the business overtime. Instant messaging apps are the future of personalized communication and LINE with its unique features of stickers, free voice/video call and official accounts is well placed to be the app of choice for young Indians.”

Damandeep has, over the past decade, served varied roles in the U.K., U.S.A. and India leading functions spanning strategy, sales and new product development. During the course of this period, he headed the telecom business development for Infosys in the U.K. and directed sales programme for Nokia in the North Indian states.

Damandeep has been an entrepreneur in the education space and also co-founded PK Online Ventures in his previous assignment, apart from heading AdChakra Network.