Online furniture store Urban Ladder has named former Marico Ltd executive Sanjay Gupta as its chief marketing officer. Gupta will lead marketing, branding and content among others at Urban Ladder, the company said in a statement. Gupta has previously worked with Accenture Plc and consulting firm Purple Squirrel Consulting LLP.

Founded in 2012, Urban Ladder is one of the early movers in the online furniture segment along with Rocket Internet-backed Fabfurnish, and Pepperfry, which is run by Trendsutra Platform Services Pvt. Ltd.

Urban Ladder secured $50 million from Sequoia Capital and TR Capital and others in April; Pepperfry raised $100 million in a round led by Goldman Sachs and Zodius Technology Fund in July; and Livspace mopped up $8 million from Helion Ventures, Jungle Ventures and Bessemer Venture Partners in August.

Advertising and marketing spending accounted for more than half of its expenses of Rs.77.72 crore. The online retailer spent Rs.40.24 crore on marketing, a whopping 11-fold increase from Rs.3.57 crore a year ago.