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In what many marketers and media veterans view as a forward-looking reset, WPP Media South Asia’s restructuring, part of the global transition from GroupM to a unified WPP Media entity is being seen as a move that could reshape how brands plan, buy, and optimise media.
While the full impact will unfold over time, early reactions suggest that the new structure with its emphasis on integration, data-led planning, and AI-powered solutions is well-aligned with the shifting expectations of modern advertisers.
As per the internal communication accessed by e4m, the restructuring is anchored in client impact.
“Does this move the needle for our client?” This core question, as stated in India and Sri Lanka head, Prasanth Kumar (PK)’s note, will drive decisions across the new structure.
Talking of clients, Kunal Sharma, Head of marketing and business head, modern trade and ecommerce at KRBL, said the move signals a shift away from traditional, siloed planning.
"Gone are the days when media plans were built around TV alone. Today, integrated planning spans everything from digital to channel commerce," said Sharma.
“A unified WPP Media structure could significantly streamline operations for marketers, offering deeper data-driven insights and a more holistic view of media investments,” he added.
However, Sharma feels that the real impact of this change will be felt once the new structure settles in perhaps six months down the line.
To deliver on this client-centric vision, WPP Media South Asia has restructured its leadership around specialised mandates. The four Presidents — Ajay Gupte, Prithi Murthy, Amin Lakhani and Navin Khemka — will now lead distinct client portfolios under the unified designation of President, Client Solutions, WPP Media South Asia.
Their collective mandate is to sharpen customer focus and drive agility and precision across teams, with every pod rallying behind the guiding question: “Does this move the needle for our client?”
Supporting this transformation, Vishal Jacob will head Choreograph as President, tasked with scaling the WPP Open platform and driving data-fuelled intelligence for over 200 clients. Upali Nag, as President-Strategy, will focus on marrying domain expertise with impactful storytelling, while Praseed Prasad steps in as President, Growth & Marketing to lead new business and brand expansion across emerging sectors.
This leadership structure, with clearly demarcated strategic priorities, signals WPP Media’s commitment to building a more integrated, insight-rich and future-ready media ecosystem.
The agency, which works closely with top media partners across broadcast, digital, and content verticals, has also received early endorsement for the restructuring — with several partners calling it a pragmatic move that brings much-needed clarity, agility, and integrated engagement to the table.
Ashish Sehgal, Chief Growth Officer for Advertisement Revenue at Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (ZEEL), sees the WPP Media restructuring as a welcome shift that simplifies collaboration for media owners.
“Earlier, engaging with different agency teams across verticals was a time-consuming process. Now, with a unified leadership and clearly defined client solution leads, the process is far more streamlined,” he said.
According to Sehgal, the new structure not only improves speed-to-market but also allows sellers to tailor pitches more effectively whether it's a standalone channel sale or a multi-platform solution involving TV, digital, influencer campaigns, or OTT.
He emphasised that this consolidation creates a centralised touchpoint within WPP Media, making it easier for partners like Zee to design integrated offerings that align with agency or client objectives.
However, Sehgal cautioned that the value of innovation and premium engagement should not be lost in price-focused negotiations.
“Solutions take real effort and creativity from our side too, and those should be priced accordingly, not diluted into just CPM or CPRP math,” he said.
He added that with leaders like Vishal Jacob now steering AI and innovation, the structure also encourages more meaningful partnerships driven by data, creativity, and customisation.
Another marketing head from a leading quick commerce service, who did not wish to be named, echoed this sentiment.
“WPP Media’s move towards integrated, capability-led leadership is a timely shift. For marketers like us, it signals a more agile, insight-rich approach to media planning, where creative, data, and execution come together seamlessly. It’s a step closer to solving real business problems, not just media briefs,” the executive said.
As PK noted in his internal communication, “With clarity of purpose and the strength of our shared commitment, I'm confident that we're on the cusp of something transformative.”
While the intent and ambition behind the restructuring are clear, the real test will lie in execution.
Will this unified approach deliver sharper outcomes and lasting value for brands in an increasingly fragmented media landscape? Only time will tell.
With inputs from Chehneet Kaur, Soumya Gawri
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