MAM
WPP Media South Asia hits reset with new leadership councils and client-first gameplan
MUMBAI: WPP Media South Asia has officially turned the page on its GroupM chapter with a sweeping leadership overhaul, as it embraces a sharper, integrated model under WPP’s global media reset.
The network’s new direction was internally announced this week, marking a bold step toward unified media, measurable outcomes, and future-ready innovation across India and South Asia.
At the core of the transformation is a newly minted Executive Committee (ExCo), led by four presidents of client solutions — Priti Murthy, Ajay Gupte, Amin Lakhani, and Navin Khemka — who will jointly shape strategy, execution, and client delight across verticals.
Supporting them is Vishandas Hardasani, continuing as chief finance officer, ensuring compliance and commercial rigour.
In new, focused roles:
● Upali Nag steps in as president – strategy, tasked with steering high-impact client programmes.
● Vishal Jacob takes charge of Choreograph as president, scaling data and tech capabilities.
● Ashwin Padmanabhan, now chief operating officer, will turbocharge execution across media buying, commerce, content, and sports.
● Praseed Prasad, as president, growth & marketing, will focus on emerging categories, SMBs, startups and lead mOutcome initiatives.
In tandem with the ExCo, WPP Media South Asia also launched the WPP Media Leadership Council (WLC), featuring a high-powered bench including Ajey Mehta, Atique Kazi, Ruchi Mathur, Shekhar Banerjee, Snehi Jha, Vinit Karnik, Manini Chakraborty, Namrata Mehra, Muralidhar T, Parveen Sheikh, and Rohit Sule.
This cohort will focus on cohesion, culture, and capability-building to ensure WPP Media’s new architecture translates to real business wins.
Prasanth Kumar continues to lead operations in India and Sri Lanka, anchoring both ExCo and WLC as they execute WPP’s new-age blueprint. A chief people officer appointment is also said to be in the works, hinting at a stronger push towards people-first transformation, learning, and leadership.
With this structural shake-up, WPP Media South Asia isn’t just repositioning for the AI era — it’s building a battle-ready blueprint for the future of media.
(If you are an Anime fan and love Anime like Demon Slayer, Spy X Family, Hunter X Hunter, Tokyo Revengers, Dan Da Dan and Slime, Buy your favourite Anime merchandise on AnimeOriginals.com.)
Brands
Maharashtra panel orders Lodha to refund Rs 5 crore to homebuyers
Consumer court flags unfair practices in long-running property dispute case
MUMBAI: In a sharp rebuke to one of India’s biggest real estate players, the Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed Macrotech Developers to refund nearly Rs 5 crore to a senior citizen couple, Uttam and Anindita Chatterjee. The ruling, delivered on March 13, 2026, calls out the developer for “deficiency in service” and “unfair trade practices”, bringing closure to a dispute that has stretched over a decade.
The case traces back to 2015, when the couple booked a 3-BHK flat at World Towers in Lower Parel for Rs 12.22 crore, with possession promised within a year. What followed was a series of changes that complicated matters. After deciding to exit the project, they were persuaded to shift to a 4-BHK in another development priced at Rs 8 crore, with delivery scheduled for 2018. However, within months, the price was allegedly increased to Rs 10 crore. After demonetisation reshaped the market, similar flats were reportedly being offered at lower prices, but the couple were not given the benefit.
Despite paying over Rs 2.83 crore, the couple neither received possession nor clarity. Instead, in 2018, the developer unilaterally cancelled the booking, retained part of the amount as earnest money, and argued that the buyers were investors rather than consumers. The commission rejected this claim, observing that casual references to “investment” do not take away consumer rights when the purchase intent is residential.
The bench also held that the developer could not penalise buyers for payment delays while failing to meet its own delivery commitments. It noted the lack of formal documentation for revised terms and termed the prolonged retention of funds without delivering a home as exploitative.
As part of its order, the commission directed the developer to refund Rs 2.83 crore paid by the couple, along with interest at 10 per cent per annum, amounting to around Rs 2.12 crore. In addition, Rs 1 lakh has been awarded for mental agony and Rs 50,000 towards litigation costs, taking the total payout to over Rs 5 crore. The developer has been asked to comply within two months.
For now, the ruling serves as a reminder that in real estate, shifting terms and delayed promises can carry a significant cost.
