MAM
JWT strengthens key team; appoints Bobby Pawar
MUMBAI: Bobby Pawar is joining JWT India as chief creative officer and managing partner. Currently he is with Mudra Group serving as chief creative officer.
Confirming the development to Indiantelevision.com, Pawar said, “It has been a great journey at Mudra.”
This is first high-level exit from the Mudra Group, post acquisition by Omnicom.
In October, US-based advertising giant Omnicom had acquired majority stake in Mudra Group in a bid to significantly expand its service capabilities and presence in India.
On his moving to JWT, Pawar said, “I like to take challenges and its not that I was not happy at Mudra. Mudra is one of the top agencies and so is JWT.”
Pawar, who was with Mudra for over four years, will be joining JWT in a couple of months.
On Pawar‘s appointment, JWT India CEO Colvyn Harris said, “We are glad that Bobby is joining us. He will partner me and help me deliver our creative vision. We are making appointments at senior level and we are making sure that we choose the best ones from the industry.”
JWT is building up its key team. The agency appointed Tribal DDB‘s Max Hegerman as head of digital in October. It also hired DraftFCB‘s COO Sanjeev Bhargava as managing partner and head- JWT Delhi recently.
One of the country‘s top creative agencies, JWT handles accounts of Nokia, Airtel, Nestle, Fritolays, Sony Viao, GSK and Pizzahut.
“Delhi is the largest operating unit in the country. We have 7 people above the level of vice president. Our approach is to make multi-level appointments,” added Harris.
Brands
Pernod Ricard, Chivas Regal parent, in talks for possible India IPO: Bloomberg
Deliberations in early stage, with no decision taken so far
PARIS: Pernod Ricard is evaluating a potential stock market listing of its Indian business, according to a Bloomberg News report citing people familiar with the matter.
The French drinks group has begun discussions with prospective advisers to assess the feasibility and merits of a separate public listing for Pernod Ricard India. The deliberations are at an early stage and no final decision has been made.
India is one of Pernod Ricard’s most important growth markets. The company is among the country’s largest alcoholic beverage players, selling premium global brands such as Chivas Regal and Absolut Vodka, and competing closely with Diageo across premium and mass-market segments.
The reported move comes as Pernod Ricard navigates heightened regulatory scrutiny in India. The group is facing antitrust proceedings and is also contesting allegations by authorities in New Delhi over potential violations of local liquor regulations. Pernod Ricard has denied any wrongdoing.
In the market, Pernod Ricard’s Paris-listed shares are up nearly 12 per cent so far this year, valuing the group at about $24.4 billion. That recovery follows a bruising 2025, when the stock lost close to a third of its value.
A separate India listing, if it materialises, could help unlock value from a fast-growing business, even as the group works through legal and regulatory challenges in one of its most strategically important markets.
