Tag: Leadership

UK –  Former Forsman & Bodenfors CEO Toby Southgate has officially taken the helm as We Are Social’s global group chief executive officer, bringing his expertise in creative leadership to drive the agency’s global growth and innovation.

As global CEO, Southgate will lead We Are Social’s 1,200-strong team across four continents. He will work to enhance collaboration, drive growth, and expand the agency’s creative offerings in partnership with major clients like Samsung, Amazon Music, Starbucks, adidas, Activision, Netflix, and Booking.com.

Southgate previously served as CEO of Forsman & Bodenfors, where he unified global offices post-merger, achieved gender pay equity, and strengthened cross-border collaboration. Under his leadership, the agency worked with major clients like Volvo, Google, Procter & Gamble, and Diageo.

With global experience spanning North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, Southgate was also global chief growth officer at McCann WorldGroup, holding regional leadership roles across Europe and the UK. Earlier, he spent a decade at WPP’s Brand Union, leading it to its first major wins at Cannes and the Effies.

Talking about his appointment, Southgate shared, “I’ve long admired We Are Social. It led the way by recognising the power of social and digital platforms for brands at scale, and, as a result, it’s the only truly global agency in its space. Today, We Are Social has an extremely talented team and an incredibly bright future.”

“We’ll be expanding our offering as the world’s most creative social agency, in partnership with what is undeniably a stellar roster of clients. The energy and appetite for growth and evolution with the network is really compelling. The role was very easy to accept,” he added. 

Southgate takes over from We Are Social co-founder and former group CEO Nathan McDonald, who stepped down in October 2024. Brett Marchand, CEO of parent company Plus Company, served as interim CEO.

Marchand commented, “We Are Social has had an extraordinary journey to become the world’s foremost social agency, with a significant global footprint, a talented team, amazing work, and spectacular clients.” 

He continued, “I believe that Toby’s experience in leading multinational agencies to growth, combined with an exceptional leadership team at We Are Social, will be the winning combination to unlock the agency’s full potential. Toby’s passion for creating a culture where people are a priority so they can thrive and do their best work was clear from the outset. He’s a first-class leader who will help steer We Are Social steadfastly into the next stage in its evolution.”

Singapore – Ogilvy has promoted Kunal Jeswani to the role of chief executive officer for ASEAN, a move aimed at driving the agency’s sustained growth and amplifying its creative impact across the region.

In his new role, Jeswani will focus on integrating resources across ASEAN, tapping into each market’s strengths to deliver creative, impactful solutions for clients. This approach combines local expertise with the power of Ogilvy’s regional network for seamless execution.

Jeswani, who joined Ogilvy in 2005, brings over two decades of experience across sectors including CPG, telecom, auto, banking, and tourism. He has led campaigns for major brands, launched a top sports league, and worked on two national election campaigns in India. 

Before overseeing Singapore and Malaysia, Jeswani was CEO of Ogilvy India. Under his leadership, Ogilvy Singapore was ranked the #1 Creative Agency in Asia by the Cannes Lions Creativity Report and named Creative Agency of the Year at the 2025 Singapore Creative Circle Awards. Jeswani also serves on the AAMS Executive Committee and MICA’s Governing Council.

Commenting on his appointment, Jeswani said, “Ogilvy’s network across Southeast Asia is incredibly strong. All of our talent, across the full width of our capabilities, is committed to creative work that drives impact and growth for our clients. I am excited to partner with our leaders across the region to do the best work of our lives, together.”

Jeswani’s promotion to ASEAN CEO reflects Ogilvy APAC’s commitment to growth in the region, strengthening its leadership and positioning ASEAN for continued success and creative impact.

Kent Wertime and Chris Reitermann, co-CEOs of Ogilvy APAC, will continue to lead the region, collaborating with local leaders to drive the agency’s growth and success across APAC.

“Kunal’s track-record of success in India, Singapore, and Malaysia, and his ability to nurture creative excellence, make him the ideal leader for ASEAN. This promotion is not only a recognition of his remarkable contributions but also a reflection of the confidence we have in his ability to shape the future of Ogilvy in this dynamic region,” Wertime said. 

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Archetype, a global marketing and communication strategy agency and part of the Next15 network, has announced key leadership appointments to propel its next phase of growth in Malaysia. These appointments underscore Archetype’s continued drive to deliver integrated communications and marketing solutions that seamlessly blend authenticity with emerging technologies.

Salina Salleh has been promoted to deputy managing consultant, while Donovan Chan has been appointed as senior digital director.

In her new position, Salina will concentrate on fostering and implementing a growth-oriented culture at the agency, prioritising client portfolio expansion, skill enhancement, and wellbeing initiatives. Over her 12-year tenure at Archetype, Salina has been instrumental in transforming the agency from a public relations specialist to a trusted partner in strategic communications and integrated marketing consultancy.

Her achievements include spearheading multi-platform campaigns for brands like Disney+ Hotstar, McDonald’s Anugerah Guru Inspirasi 2020, P&G, foodpanda, and executing policy communications for organisations such as Airbnb, TalentCorp, Khazanah Nasional, the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), and the Malaysia Aviation Commission, among others.

Since joining Archetype, Donovan has been key to advancing the agency’s expertise in digital marketing. His efforts have fueled TikTok content growth and follower engagement for OATSIDE, while establishing new collaborations with brands like Mandom and Teafe Gong Cha. By encouraging synergy between communication consultants and creative marketing teams, Donovan aims to elevate Archetype’s data-driven, next-generation digital solutions.

Salina and Donovan’s leadership aligns with the overarching vision of Next15’s Marker Collective, which integrates Archetype, Nectar, and Outcast to combine top-tier consultancy services with advanced technology expertise. This collaborative model is designed to achieve long-term outcomes. 

Recently, the collective launched Delve, an insight engine that improves brand understanding through comprehensive tracking, analysis, and reporting.

TS Lee, managing consultant at Archetype Malaysia, said, “This year marks our 19th year in operation. The landscape is constantly evolving, requiring us to rethink our clients’ needs and the agency’s operating model. These appointments strengthen our cohesive team, enabling us to deliver more meaningful value to our clients, while honing our expertise in human-centric authenticity amid the rapid developments of AI, emerging technologies and the ever-changing communications landscape.”

Speaking on their appointments, Salina said, “At Archetype, we’re not just shaping strategies for our clients, but also cultivating a talent powerhouse that anticipates and meets future demands. I’m ready to put our plans into motion to ensure we remain a collaborative, trusted and future forward partners for our clients.”

Meanwhile, Donovan commented, “AI has undeniably transformed the marketing landscape, often resulting to more automated and less authentic connections. At Archetype, we harness it to amplify creativity and authenticity. By merging AI-driven insights with human-centric strategies, we help brands create meaningful audience engagement. From optimising content across paid, owned, earned and social platforms to empowering social influencers to tell genuine stories, our approach ensures that technology serves creativity, and not the other way around.”

Both leaders will work closely with TS Lee and the local leadership team, including Yeow Mei Ling, APAC deputy regional director, and directors Gaby Linang and Sophia Koay. Over the years, the agency has built a strong reputation for strategic communications and public relations, earning numerous industry accolades along the way.

With its long-rooted history of making a meaningful difference to brands and people, HAVAS has cultivated a culture of agility and perfect synergy within its so-called ‘Havas Villages’ to provide clients with tailor-made solutions supporting their positive transformation. 

At its Malaysian operations, HAVAS has done significant work for its clients, blending creativity, PR, media, events, CX, and social expertise. Clients include 100PLUS, Domino’s Pizza, Sanofi, and several Reckitt brands.

With an agency tracing its roots to the original French agency founded in 1835, how do its Malaysian operations keep up with the ever-changing local landscape? And how does its leadership play a role in maintaining stability in the local advertising industry?

For our latest Agency Leadership Decoded, we spoke with Nizwani Shahar, chief executive officer at HAVAS Malaysia, to understand her leadership style within the agency, what initiatives they are implementing to boost creativity and productivity among their employees, and her advice for industry leaders navigating the ever-changing landscape of marketing and advertising.

Bearing a ‘creativity with purpose’ philosophy

A key aspect of her leadership within the agency is bearing in mind the ‘creativity with purpose’ philosophy. For Nizwani, leadership isn’t just about managing outcomes; it’s also about building a foundation where people feel inspired to do their best work and grow along the way.

“I believe creativity is our superpower, but it thrives best in an environment of trust, inclusivity, and shared vision,” she stated.

She also shares that as a leader, she aims to cultivate a culture where everyone feels empowered to think big, take risks, and collaborate openly. 

“Leadership, to me, also means leading by example—listening actively, being accessible, and adapting to the ever-evolving needs of the team and the industry,” she added.

Initiative with people at the centre of everything

True to HAVAS’ commitment to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace, Nizwani stated that its initiatives are rooted in the mission that people are always at the centre of everything.

A good example of the agency’s local initiative is its free French lessons for all Havas Malaysia employees. For Nizwani, the initiative helps employees learn a new language and better understand HAVAS’ French roots.

“A first of its kind in Malaysia, we pay homage to our French roots by tying up with Alliance Française Kuala Lumpur to provide free French lessons at the agency once a week,” she said.

Another initiative they have is focusing on career growth and mentorship through structured programs where senior team members guide younger talent, fostering a learning culture within the agency.

“This not only helps develop skills but strengthens bonds across the team. By investing in their growth, passions, and well-being, we create a motivated team that produces meaningfully different work for clients,” she explained.

Building a strong team amidst industry evolution

In terms of challenges, Nizwani shared that one of the ongoing challenges has been ensuring they stay relevant in a rapidly evolving industry. From her perspective, the advertising landscape demands that they innovate continuously while staying true to the creative roots that define them.

“To address this, we’ve worked to diversify our capabilities while ensuring all work is anchored in creativity. Whether it’s digital, activation, or brand experiences, our focus remains on producing work that is both impactful and meaningful to audiences,” she stated.

Another challenge for them has been talent retention in a competitive market. To combat this, their strategy has been aimed at creating an environment that people want to be part of a place where they can grow, be recognised, and collaborate with some of the best minds in the business. For Nizwani, building this culture has been instrumental in their success.

With such a strategy in mind, she explains that one of her most significant milestones has been building a team of some of Malaysia’s most talented and creative minds.

“It’s not just their calibre but their humility and collaborative spirit that truly set them apart. This combination has helped us deliver outstanding work for clients and cemented our reputation as an ideas-first agency,” she said.

She also said that they have seen significant growth in client partnerships, with major brands trusting them to help them navigate complex and dynamic markets. 

“This speaks to the strength of our work and the relationships we’ve built. Ultimately, the most impactful milestone has been creating an agency culture rooted in creativity, trust, and humility—a foundation that sets us up for continued success,” she added.

Leadership led by creativity and evolution

When asked about her topmost advice about inspiring future advertising industry leaders, she said leaders should stay anchored to creativity while embracing evolution. While the advertising industry constantly changes, the ability to think creatively and solve problems with purpose will always be at its core.

“Future leaders should also recognise that their greatest asset is their people. Inspire them, empower them, and create a culture where they can thrive,” she said.

She also quipped that leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about asking the right questions, being open to ideas, and building trust. 

“Remember that humility is a strength. Listen, learn, and never stop growing. When leaders lead with humility and purpose, they inspire teams to achieve great things together,” she concluded.

***

Leaders in this field must inspire creativity, foster collaboration, and adapt to emerging trends while maintaining a clear vision for success. By setting the tone for innovation, encouraging diverse perspectives, and staying attuned to market shifts, effective leaders empower their teams to deliver impactful campaigns that resonate with audiences. 

Singapore – After achieving sustained growth, LoopMe, the technology company leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance brand advertising performance, has appointed James Parker as its new head of APAC to spearhead its regional expansion efforts.

Based in Singapore, Parker will lead LoopMe’s efforts to expand its footprint across the APAC region, with a particular focus on driving growth in Australia, Southeast Asia, and the Greater China Region.

Parker brings extensive industry expertise to LoopMe, joining from MiQ, where he held the role of managing director for Southeast Asia, overseeing strategic growth and regional operations.

Parker’s appointment comes on the heels of LoopMe’s announcement of achieving a fully organic gross revenue CAGR of 40% between 2018 and 2024, along with surpassing $2 billion in total gross revenue.

In addition to Parker’s appointment, LoopMe has expanded its presence in Australia with a new Melbourne office, appointing HS Shin as senior sales manager to grow its client base in Victoria. Meanwhile, Alicia Placer has joined the Sydney office as sales manager, focusing on growth with agency holding groups and independent shops.

Stephen Upstone, CEO and founder of LoopMe, commented, “2024 has been pivotal for our business, opening up a new chapter in our evolution. Off the back of seven years of consistent and stable organic growth, we have now taken advantage of a strong M&A opportunity to accelerate this. APAC is central to our plans for the business, and we see enormous potential in developing the company across the region by tapping into digital advertising’s growth areas.”

He added, “With James joining as the new head of APAC, we are confident that our business in this region will continue its successful expansion; we welcome James, HS, and Alicia to the LoopMe team.”

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Dentsu has appointed Uday Desai to drive the evolution of its creative business in his role as managing director of creative at dentsu Malaysia. With over 20 years of experience in shaping brands across APAC, MENA, and India, Uday is an industry veteran with a laser-focus on people-centricity. 

He joins dentsu with extensive client experience across major agency groups, having driven transformation through integrated strategies for global brands across multiple regions and sectors, including automotive.

Speaking on the new role, Desai said, “Two key dentsu principles truly resonate with me: the philosophy of ‘Innovating to Impact’ and our unwavering approach to solving business challenges as One Dentsu. Along with the exceptional talent and cutting-edge tools that we have within our powerhouse, we are an unstoppable force of creativity and innovation. I am thrilled to be part of a team that is not only redefining creativity but also driving meaningful outcomes for our clients and the community.”

Meanwhile, Audrey Chong, CEO at dentsu Malaysia, commented, “Creativity and innovation are cornerstones of our dentsu heritage that is ingrained in how we deliver world-class brand journeys for our clients in Malaysia.”

She added, “As we continue to push the boundaries of excellence as a creative powerhouse, I am excited for Uday to take his extensive experience and passion for innovation, and people-centric leadership in reimagining brand transformations for our clients, as he takes the helm of our creative business.”

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – CIMB has announced a reorganisation of its senior leadership team, with Effendy Shahul Hamid, most recently the CEO of group consumer and digital banking, stepping down to pursue other interests. 

Effendy has however agreed to remain as an advisor to the group CEO until the end of June 2025, in order to facilitate a smooth and orderly leadership transition.

“Effendy is a highly respected banker and we are sad to see him go. The Board and Management wish him the best, and we appreciate his loyalty and commitment to the group over the last 20 years.” said Novan Amirudin, group chief executive officer at CIMB Group.

Effendy has spent the last 20 years at CIMB, leading numerous business units at the banking Group. Beginning his CIMB career in investment banking, Effendy then took on leadership positions that saw him building out the marketing and communications discipline at CIMB, reorganising its proprietary investments and asset management practices, turning around its commercial bank, building its digital business portfolio and to most recently, running its key customer franchise, the consumer bank. 

He is also credited with driving the nation’s cashless agenda, conceptualising and executing the Touch n’ Go eWallet joint venture between CIMB’s subsidiary, Touch n’ Go and China’s Ant Group.

Meanwhile, Haniz Nazlan, who joined CIMB in 2021 as group chief strategy officer, has been appointed CEO of group consumer banking. Haniz has played a key role in driving major initiatives, including the Forward 23+ Strategic Plan, the transformation of CIMB Cambodia, and the Group’s re-entry into the securities business. With over 18 years of experience in corporate strategy and asset management, Haniz brings expertise from leadership roles at Permodalan Nasional Berhad and Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera.

Gurdip Singh Sidhu will take charge of CIMB’s digital businesses, including Touch ‘n Go, CIMB Philippines, and CIMB Vietnam, alongside his responsibilities as CEO of CIMB Malaysia and CIMB Bank Berhad. With 18 years of experience at CIMB, Gurdip will focus on enhancing operating resiliency, innovation, and strategic growth across the Group’s digital assets.

Khairul Rifaie will expand his responsibilities to include group chief strategy officer, in addition to his current role as group chief financial officer. As group chief financial & strategy officer, Khairul will lead the development of CIMB’s strategic roadmap, balancing growth opportunities and operational efficiency. His career spans roles at KPMG London, Goldman Sachs, and UBS Malaysia before joining CIMB Group.

Victor Lee Meng Teck has been named CEO of growth markets, overseeing CIMB Singapore and CIMB Cambodia. Victor’s leadership in CIMB Singapore has been marked by a successful turnaround through strategic restructuring and cultural transformation. With over 25 years of banking experience, he is well-equipped to drive growth in key markets.

CIMB also announced the appointment of Ros Aziah Mohd Yusoff, currently the group chief technology officer, to the CIMB Group Executive Committee, and the re-designation of Animesh Mukherjee from group chief human resources officer to group chief people officer, reporting directly to the group CEO.

“The new organisation structure reflects CIMB’s purpose, strengthens our leadership bench, and consolidates related roles to enhance synergies across the Group. It is designed to enable greater focus and accountability as we advance the Group’s strategic priorities into the next strategy cycle while ensuring operational resiliency,” Novan said.

Singapore – Criteo has officially appointed Michael Komasinski as its new chief executive officer and board member, succeeding Megan Clarken, who recently announced her retirement.

With over 20 years of experience in AdTech, Komasinski joins Criteo with a strong track record of building global brand and retail relationships. He has consistently driven profitable growth for leading organisations by leveraging technology-driven strategies while fostering an inclusive work environment.

Komasinski is currently CEO of the Americas and president of global data & technology at dentsu, where he joined through the 2016 Merkle acquisition. He became global CEO of Merkle in 2021, leading a technological transformation that integrated AI into dentsu’s products, enhancing client value and driving major enterprise wins. He also expanded Merkle’s retail media consulting practice and merged it with dentsu’s media buy-side capabilities.

Before joining dentsu, Komasinski led over 14,000 employees across 50+ locations at Merkle. He has held leadership roles at Razorfish, Schawk Retail Marketing, Nielsen, and A.T. Kearney. Komasinski also serves on the Ad Council’s board and the client advisory boards of Meta and Microsoft.

Commenting on his appointment, Komasinski said, “Criteo’s transformation into a global commerce media powerhouse and AdTech leader has been inspiring, and I am excited and energised to serve as the company’s next CEO and build on this momentum.” 

“There are massive growth opportunities in media today with new advancements in AI and a global rise in e-commerce, which are driving hyper-personalised consumer touchpoints across more content and devices than ever before. I’m thrilled to be partnering with Criteo’s talented team, who has built incredible assets in AI over the years, to deliver compelling commerce solutions for our clients and drive shareholder value,” he added. 

Criteo’s Board of Directors has appointed Komasinski as CEO, with his new role taking effect on February 15, 2025. He will succeed Clarken, who will transition to a senior advisory role to support a smooth handover.

“We ran a comprehensive search process to identify the next CEO of Criteo to ensure we have the right leader to spearhead the next phase of the company’s AI-fuelled transformation and vision as the world’s leading commerce media platform,” said Rachel Picard, chair of Criteo’s board of directors. 

“We are thrilled that Michael is joining us to lead Criteo at this exciting time in our journey. Michael is a high-caliber executive with the ideal mix of skills, including tech-enabled product development expertise, hands-on experience managing brand and retailer relationships, and a proven ability to drive accelerated growth and scale globally. Over the course of his career, Michael has also demonstrated a collaborative approach to management that has galvanised global organisations to lead in digital marketing and technology. We are  confident that Michael will bring a valuable perspective to drive Criteo’s strategy forward, further enhancing our commerce and retail media leadership, and building on our strong momentum thanks to Megan’s critical contributions and the dedication of the entire team,” Picard added. 

Singapore – Martech agency EternityX has formed a partnership with DJM Consulting founded by Deric Wong under a shared vision of actionable strategies that integrate innovation and cultural intelligence. With this, Wong joins the agency as its chief business officer.

It has also named Jean Kniss Loh as chief marketing officer, and Max Lee as global partner for China media integration as part of new senior hires for EternityX. This move aims to drive its rapid global expansion across APAC, Europe, and the Middle East.

The collaboration reflects DJM Consulting’s philosophy, “Don’t Judge Me”, and EternityX’s focus on connecting East and West through advanced marketing solutions tailored to complex markets.

As chief business officer, Wong will oversee business strategy, partnerships, and performance, aligning corporate objectives with a sustainable growth approach. With decades of experience, including leading Dentsu China and Omnicom Media Group Hong Kong, he is recognised for his innovative strategies and operational excellence.

Meanwhile, Jean brings over 20 years of experience in strategic communications, crafting narratives for global companies in her roles with FTI Consulting, Burson-Marsteller, FleishmanHillard, Ogilvy and KPMG. As CMO, she will spearhead EternityX’s global branding and thought leadership efforts, ensuring the company’s continued relevance in an ever-evolving marketplace.

Lastly, Max brings over 15 years of extensive experience in global advertising and media agencies including Carat, Mindshare, MediaCom, and PHD. Max bridges global ambitions with China’s intricate media landscape, creating culturally relevant campaigns that resonate with local audiences. His expertise enhances EternityX’s ability to stand out in competitive markets, delivering tailored solutions that drive meaningful impact.

Speaking about the partnership, Wong said, “This partnership aligns with the evolving global landscape, where business empowerment begins with unlocking new growth potential. At DJM Consulting, innovation is at the heart of everything we do. From challenging conventional thinking to evolving business models, we help companies rewrite their future potential. With deep expertise in strategic marketing, advertising, and corporatisation, DJM Consulting empowers companies to expand into high-growth markets with EternityX, while strengthening their media presence and brand positioning.”

He added, “Success in global marketing today demands collective intelligence and the seamless collaboration of diverse expertise, to achieve a shared goal. Drawing from my experience of leading international creative, advertising, and media organizations, I’ve witnessed how agility, collaboration, and innovation – when paired with a deep understanding of markets – drive transformative outcomes. Our partnership represents an opportunity to push boundaries further, leveraging advanced technology to shape future-ready solutions. Collaborating with Charlene Ree, a trailblazer in AI-driven marketing, we are redefining how businesses, agencies, and industry peers unlock growth in an ever-evolving global marketplace.”

Meanwhile, Charlene Ree, CEO of EternityX, highlights the importance of this collaboration, commenting, “At EternityX, our vision has always been to empower brands to reach their full potential by connecting them with the world’s most dynamic audiences. Partnering with DJM Consulting is a pivotal step forward and enables us to scale our expertise and adapt to the unique needs of global markets. By combining DJM Consulting’s expertise with EternityX’s advanced technology, we’re empowering brands to thrive globally and setting a new benchmark in an interconnected and rapidly evolving world. Together, we are creating enduring value for clients and agency partners through innovation and cultural understanding.”

She added, “For businesses, this partnership paves the way for strategies that connect globally and locally. For agency partners, it offers the tools to enhance capabilities. And for industry peers, it sets a benchmark for navigating the rapidly evolving global marketplace. Together, EternityX and DJM Consulting are shaping the future of global marketing.”

India – RepIndia, an India-based digital agency, has announced key leadership promotions, elevating Neelanjan Dasgupta, Durgesh Tiwari, Sanya Sitlani, Nitin Sharma, and Guru Mishra to new roles. These changes underscore the agency’s commitment to enhancing its digital capabilities and fostering innovation.

The five senior team members promoted have played a pivotal role in driving RepIndia’s success and innovation over the years. These promotions are designed to strengthen the agency’s core leadership and accelerate growth across various digital verticals.

Previously serving as creative head (West), Dasgupta has been appointed vice president of creative strategy and innovations. During his tenure, he delivered award-winning campaigns and onboarded high-profile clients including JSW Steel, JSW Energy, MTV, JBL, Joyville, Amante, Amazon Mini TV, and many more.

In his new role, he will focus on enhancing RepIndia’s creative offerings and driving innovative solutions across markets.

Speaking on his promotion, Dasgupta said, “RepIndia has taught me everything I know about advertising. It has provided me with a safe space to grow, where accountability and kindness go hand in hand. I will always carry these values as a leader and professional.”

Following suit, Tiwari has also been promoted to associate vice president for listening, ORM, and analytics.

Previously senior account director, Tiwari grew his team from 20 to over 100, significantly boosting the agency’s capabilities in social listening, ORM, and analytics. His strategic leadership has been key in acquiring major clients like NPCI, DigiYatra, BluSmart, and Subway, contributing to RepIndia’s international expansion.

Joining Tiwari, Sitlani also takes on the role of associate vice president for planning and growth, where she will drive strategic initiatives and uncover new opportunities to advance the agency and its clients.

Previously an account director for account planning and growth, Sitlani played a key role in acquiring clients such as JBL, Pearl Academy, Kajaria, Colorbar, CARE Hospitals, and others, further expanding RepIndia’s portfolio and market presence.

“We’re heavily involved in a wide range of initiatives—from pitches to strategy for existing clients and reviewing work across accounts,” she shared. 

Mishra also joins the roster of promotions, having been elevated to senior vice president for digital media and buying, underscoring RepIndia’s commitment to expanding its media capabilities.

Before this, he served as vice president for digital media and buying. Under Mishra’s leadership, the digital media team expanded significantly, securing clients like Kajaria, Instax, M3M, Fortis, Haldirams, and others. His extensive experience in digital media strategy is expected to drive RepIndia’s media operations and innovate digital buying practices.

Commenting on his new role, Mishra shared, “When I joined RepIndia, the team was just 2 members. Today, it’s grown to over 18 members. The journey has been rewarding, and I look forward to leading our media operations into the future.”

Finally, Sharma joins the leadership team as associate vice president for search, recognised for his crucial role in enhancing the agency’s search marketing expertise.

Sharma has been instrumental in strengthening RepIndia’s search capabilities, working with prominent brands like Hero MotoCorp (across 8 countries), Merino Laminates, Kajaria Ceramics, Migsun Group, and more. Previously associate director of SEO, he has grown his team to over 20 members, further bolstering RepIndia’s search marketing expertise.

These leadership appointments come as RepIndia positions itself for growth in 2025. With a strengthened team across search, media, creative strategy, planning, and analytics, the agency aims to enhance its offerings and drive digital innovation. The changes reflect RepIndia’s focus on building internal capabilities for the future of digital marketing in India.

Archit Chenoy, CEO of RepIndia, commented, “At RepIndia, our strength lies in our people and their ability to drive meaningful impact for our clients. These promotions are a testament to the incredible talent, dedication, and innovative spirit that define our team. As we look ahead to 2025, this strengthened leadership will play a critical role in shaping the future of digital marketing, delivering cutting-edge solutions, and unlocking new growth opportunities for our clients and our agency alike.”