MAM
Digital media veteran climbs WPP ladder in Indonesia’s booming ad market
JAKARTA: WPP Media has promoted Mohit Sharma to president of client solutions, elevating a digital media specialist who has spent nearly three years navigating Indonesia’s rapidly evolving advertising landscape.
Sharma’s ascent reflects the growing strategic importance of southeast Asia’s largest economy for global advertising conglomerates. Indonesia’s digital advertising market has exploded in recent years, driven by rising smartphone penetration and the dominance of platforms like TikTok and Instagram among the country’s 270m inhabitants.
Since joining WPP Media in October 2022, Sharma has led the Beauty Tech Labs unit, overseeing a 120-person team delivering integrated media solutions spanning traditional planning, performance marketing, e-commerce and influencer communications. His primary client has been L’Oréal, the French cosmetics giant that has made Indonesia a key battleground in its Asian expansion strategy.
The appointment caps a career trajectory that mirrors Indonesia’s digital transformation. Sharma spent nearly eight years at MEC (now part of GroupM) in India before moving to Essence and then MediaCom, where he served as partner and head of digital and e-commerce for the Indonesian operation.
His promotion comes as western advertising agencies grapple with shifting client demands and the rise of local competitors across southeast Asia. Traditional agencies have struggled to adapt to the region’s unique social commerce ecosystems, where platforms like Shopee and TikTok Shop blur the lines between entertainment, social networking and retail.
Sharma’s expertise in e-commerce integration may prove crucial as brands increasingly demand seamless pathways from awareness to purchase. Indonesia’s social commerce market is projected to reach $43 billion by 2025, according to consulting firm Bain & Company, making it a critical testing ground for advertising strategies.
The move also signals WPP’s confidence in its Indonesian operations at a time when many multinational corporations are reassessing their Southeast Asian strategies amid economic uncertainties and regulatory changes. Indonesia’s advertising market, worth approximately $4.2 billion annually, remains one of the region’s most attractive despite periodic challenges from currency volatility and political shifts.
For Sharma, the promotion represents validation of a bet on Indonesia’s long-term growth potential. His focus on data-driven strategies and digital-first approaches has aligned with local market dynamics, where mobile-first consumers have largely bypassed traditional desktop experiences.
Whether his success can be replicated across WPP’s broader southeast Asian operations remains to be seen. The region’s fragmented markets, diverse regulatory environments and varying levels of digital maturity present ongoing challenges for global agencies seeking scalable solutions.
Yet Indonesia’s importance to WPP’s Asian growth strategy seems assured. With the country’s advertising market expected to grow by 8-10 per cent annually over the next three years, elevating local expertise makes strategic sense—even if it means promoting from within rather than importing talent from established markets.
Brands
Raymond unveils Chairman’s Collection luxury store in Bandra
New 11,000 sq ft flagship redefines menswear retail with couture experience.
MUMBAI: Raymond has just raised the bar for luxury shopping in India by turning a store into a full-blown sartorial journey. The iconic menswear brand has launched its Chairman’s Collection flagship store in the heart of Bandra, Mumbai. Spanning over 11,000 square feet across two levels, the stunning space opened on the weekend of 10 April and offers a bold, immersive experience that blends fine menswear, evolved design, and exceptional craftsmanship.
Drawing inspiration from Renaissance and Baroque aesthetics with a contemporary European sensibility, the store is rooted in Indian craftsmanship while reflecting a distinctly global identity. It is divided into three distinct worlds:
- Modern Opulence – Casual Couture: Elevated casualwear featuring printed silk shirts, embroidered denim, and statement separates.
- Power Dressing – Contemporary Heirlooms: Exquisite suits in world-class fabrics, embellished jackets, and Indo-Western silhouettes.
- Art, Heritage & Experimentation – Indian Renaissance: Artisanal garments combining Renaissance-inspired prints with traditional techniques like zardozi and hand embroidery.
Beyond apparel, the store offers fine jewellery (including lab-grown diamonds), curated fragrances, and luxury watches, creating a holistic luxury destination. The experience is appointment-led, ensuring personalised service including bespoke tailoring and styling.
Raymond Lifestyle Limited, CEO Satyaki Ghosh said, “Chairman’s Collection reflects the pride of creating international-quality luxury, made in India, for the modern Indian man. This is a logical brand evolution towards launching a first-of-its-kind couture experience in India.”
The store also features gallery-style displays, a refined tailoring zone, and curated collectibles, including Formula 1-inspired models and Art Deco pieces, reflecting the Chairman’s passion for automobiles and fine art.
In a market increasingly hungry for meaningful luxury, Raymond has moved beyond traditional retail to create a space that doesn’t just dress a man, it defines his lifestyle. With the Chairman’s Collection, the brand is proving that true luxury in India is no longer just about what you wear, but how you experience it.
This new flagship is more than a store, it’s a statement that Indian luxury has arrived, and it’s dressed to impress.
