The Indian adland, known for its vibrant and creative landscape, saw a significant churn this year. 2023 was marked with various top-level changes, exits and rejigs that made big news. Old hands made way for new talent and leaderships changed.
Here’s a comprehensive list of all of the Indian adland’s big people movement instances in 2023.
Piyush Pandey
In September, the news of Ogilvy’s Piyush Pandey moving into an advisory role was the talk of the ad town. The new leadership changes in Ogilvy India that will take effect from January 1, 2024.
He currently serves as the Chairman of Global Creative and Executive Chairman of Ogilvy India and is the north star to many budding creatives in India. “Creativity and its impact on our client’s businesses is at the heart of Ogilvy. In keeping with my passion, I will continue to partner and guide the new leadership as always. Our joint purpose is to ensure that we not only maintain but also better our core strengths”, Pandey said in a press release.
Hephzibah Pathak
Hephzibah Pathak will take charge at Ogilvy India after Piyush Pandey’s transition to an advisory position. She will be Ogilvy India's first-ever woman in this role. Hephzibah has been the most trusted partner for many of Ogilvy's key clients. She has played an integral role in creating iconic, category-defining transformative work on many of their brands.
Dheeraj Sinha
In the month of September, Dheeraj Sinha, the erstwhile CEO of Leo Burnett South Asia and Chairman of BBH India joined FCB India as Group CEO India & South Asia. FCB said that Sinha was the right fit to lead the group’s next chapter. He joined the agency from Publicis Groupe, where he served as CEO of Leo Burnett South Asia and Chairman of BBH India.
Rohit Ohri
Rohit Ohri moved into a new global role as FCB Global Partner this year, making way for Sinha as CEO. “I am so excited to be leading the next phase of narrative for FCB in India and the region. I believe that with data and technology at its service, creativity is the greatest force of our times. The true power of our industry is in maximizing business opportunities and solving for human problems using creativity. I love the perspective at FCB about creativity as an economic multiplier”, he said in a public statement.
Aditya Kanthy
US-based Omnicom Group last month appointed Aditya Kanthy as the CEO of its recently established Omnicom Advertising Services in India. Omnicom Advertising Services brings the company’s three agencies (DDB Mudra, BBDO and TBWA) under one umbrella and Kanthy’s role includes overseeing these agencies with a focus on talent, cross-agency collaboration and innovation.
Bobby Pawar
In August, Bobby Pawar stepped down as Chairman & CCO of Havas India. Pawar had decided to move away from advertising; Havas Worldwide is led by Anupama Ramaswamy. He will, however, continue to consult on Havas’ clients and projects as and when necessary. While speaking on following his passion, Pawar said, “There are some who will think there is some hanky-panky to my stepping away. I understand the appeal of it. It certainly makes for more interesting gossip sessions. The truth is, sometimes life leads you to a crossroads. Or, in my case, it is death. Over the last year, I lost way too many people I love, way too early. All of them had their ‘one day I will do this or that’. This made me realize that I had to find what I would love to do that ‘one day’ and do it right now.”
Amer Jaleel & Virat Tandon
In November 2022, Amer Jaleel, Group CCO & Chairman and Virat Tandon, the Group CEO of the agency, MullenLowe Lintas Group India announced their departure from the agency however, their last month at the agency was until March 2023. S.Subramanyeswar, aka Subbu, took over the position as the Group Chief Executive Officer of MullenLowe Lintas Group India immediately after the announcement. In August, Jallel and Tandon launched their independent agency - Curativity.
Aalap Desai
In July, Aalap Desai, CCO - Dentsu Creative West and Dentsu Creative Experience, India moved on from the agency to start his own venture. “I feel with our new setup, there will finally be a place that will be different. Where work is celebrated, briefs are addressed and people are cared for. And, the irony is that we strongly believe that when you do check all these boxes, money will follow. Sounds too dreamy? Well, that's part of the ambition too”, Desai told e4m.
Ram Cobain
In the month of March, Mullen Lintas announced that appointed Ram Jayaraman, better known as Ram Cobain, of Meta as the new Chief Creative Officer (CCO). Cobain reports to Subbu, as he takes on the role previously held by Garima Khandelwal. “After Meta, along with the kind of work I’d want to do, I was very clear about the kind of people I’d want to work with. At Mullen Lintas, I found a kindred bunch who are unfettered by legacy, excited only by the laurels yet to be earned”, said Cobain.
Anish Verghese
In March, the Chief Creative Officer Anish Varghese of Liqvd Asia stepped down. He told e4m back then that he hast started his own venture known as EVOQ through which they will be creating compelling storytelling and creative works. “I always like working when technology romances with the larger idea; when it romances, the end-user has a terrific experience. I respect folks who have created incredible works using ideas, art, and technology; you are my motivation, folks! EVOQ will specialise in experiential marketing, where immersive experiences will play a greater role. Creative Services & Creative Tech will be another area of focus”, Verghese wrote in a LinkedIn post.
Smita Salgaonkar
Earlier this month, Smita Salgaonkar exited Media.Monks India to join Google Cloud. She served as Country Manager - Data & Digital Media at the agency. At Google Cloud, she will be involved in marketing technology and its applications in enhancing customer-centricity, profitability, and business outcomes.
Ekta Relan
In August, Ekta Relan announced that she is stepping down as Lowe Lintas India's Chief Strategy Officer. Relan joined Lowe Lintas for the second time in July 2022. She was earlier with the company for over 8 years. Announcing her departure, she wrote, “This was my second stint at Lintas. I first joined Lintas in 2000 as a management trainee and then again in 2015. Both times, it’s been such an enriching and fulfilling journey. I have enjoyed every big and small part of it; the camaraderie, the joyous high of collective wins.”
