Ravi Rao has stepped down as the CEO of GroupM MENA after a stint of more than three years. The veteran media professional confirmed his departure from GroupM MENA on LinkedIn. "Thank you all. Not the end, tbc," he said in response to comments about his exit on LinkedIn.

Rao joined GroupM MENA from Mindshare MENA where he was the CEO. Before becoming the Mindshare MENA CEO, Rao was the Chief Client Officer at the agency for nine months.

Rao moved to Dubai from India in May 2015. Before moving to Dubai, he was Leader - South Asia at Mindshare. Prior to his elevation in Mindshare, he was Leader: Team Unilever South Asia.

A veteran media professional with three decades of experience under his belt, Rao spent close to seven years at Omnicom Media Group (MENA) till September 2008.

He began his career at Lintas India before moving to Impact BBDO. He joined Mindshare MENA as Director, Head of Middle East North Africa in July 1999.