If Our Clients Grow, We Grow”: Kartik Sharma Named e4m Influencer of the Year 2025

Kartik Sharma, CEO of Omnicom Media India, was named e4m Influencer of the Year 2025 on Wednesday and true to form, he accepted the honour without a rehearsed speech. What followed instead was a brief, unfiltered on-stage conversation with Dr. Annurag Batra, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of BW Businessworld and Founder of exchangeMedia, offering rare insight into Sharma’s leadership philosophy, Omnicom Media’s priorities, and his own goals for the year ahead.

Accepting the award with visible humility, Sharma admitted the recognition caught him by surprise. “I really don’t have a speech as you can see… I didn’t know that whatever I’ve done has impacted so many people. So, it’s a revelation for me,” he said, adding that he simply focuses on doing his work honestly, day after day.He was quick to credit the people around him colleagues, clients, partners, and family for shaping his journey. Thanking his teams, past and present, at Omnicom Media Services, Sharma remarked, “You are the backbone of me wanting to come to office every single morning. New challenges that’s what makes me.”

Growth, But With Guardrails

In a rapid-fire exchange, Dr. Batra asked what the industry should expect from Omnicom Media Services in 2026, especially after a year marked by multiple account wins. Sharma’s response was crisp: “Growth growth for our clients. If our clients grow, we are going to grow.”However, he was clear that scale alone isn’t the goal. “There are good growths and bad growths. We want to grow in a very consistent fashion and with the right values and culture,” he said, underscoring that people growth is just as important as business expansion. “If you get these two things right, the growth will happen.”When asked about new tools or thinking to watch out for, Sharma hinted at a major upgrade. “Our marketing platform is called Omni… you will see a new Omni, which is four times more powerful, coming in very soon. Just wait for a month,” he teased, leaving the room visibly intrigued.

Beyond the Boardroom

The conversation also touched a more personal note. Sharma shared that his top priority for the coming year is health. “The first and most important for me is health personal health… to be fit enough and independent enough,” he said.He also spoke about staying curious and learning across hierarchies. “I don’t make a difference between junior and senior. I think that’s very old school,” Sharma noted, stressing that meaningful insights can come from anywhere.

With a smile, he added one resolution still pending: “Pick up one hobby in 2026… something which is not related to work.”Wrapping up, Sharma acknowledged the leaders who’ve influenced his thinking, naming Ajit Varghese as a mentor and long-time guide, and also recognising PK as a trusted professional peer and friend.