AD Agencies
AdCounty Media names Gaurav Dikshit advisor to the board
MUMBAI: AdCounty Media India Limited has added a seasoned mind to its leadership table with the appointment of Gaurav Dikshit as advisor to the board, effective January 14, 2026.
With over two decades of experience across media planning, brand strategy, digital transformation and growth leadership, Dikshit brings a rare mix of agency sharpness, client-side insight and entrepreneurial drive. His appointment signals AdCounty Media’s intent to think bigger, move smarter and build deeper partnerships as it charts its next phase of growth.
In his advisory role, Dikshit will work closely with the board and leadership team to refine the company’s strategic roadmap, strengthen its partner ecosystem and identify new opportunities across high-potential digital markets. The focus will be on sustainable value creation, sharper growth metrics and long-term impact.
Dikshit’s career began in core media planning before expanding into strategy, content, digital and corporate leadership roles. Over the years, he has worked across leading agencies and brands including Grey Worldwide, RK Swamy, Starcom and Mindshare, handling marquee accounts such as Samsung, LVMH, Apollo Tyres, Lufthansa and Volvo Cars.
He later moved client-side to Samsung India, where he played a key role in strategy, growth and corporate communications. At RK Swamy, he led major national and government-led initiatives including Digital India, Jan Dhan Yojana and Mudra Loan, along with campaigns for Unicef.
Beyond corporate roles, Dikshit is also an entrepreneur who has built and scaled digital and content-led platforms focused on rural audiences and children. He is an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication and a founding member of the IIMC Alumni Association, where he currently serves as vice president.
Commenting on the appointment, AdCounty Media co-founder and whole-time director Delphin Varghese, said Dikshit’s blend of strategic vision and hands-on entrepreneurial experience would add meaningful depth to the company’s growth journey. His understanding of both traditional media and modern digital ecosystems is expected to play a key role in strengthening AdCounty Media’s market position and partner strategy.
As advisor to the board, Dikshit will support AdCounty Media in shaping partnerships, unlocking new revenue opportunities and building scalable digital marketplaces aligned with a privacy-first, data-driven future.
AD Agencies
Microsoft shifts global media account from Dentsu to Publicis Groupe: Reports
Closed review ends decade-long tie-up; Xbox remit may remain with Dentsu
MUMBAI: Microsoft has reassigned its global media planning and buying business to Publicis Groupe, according to media reports, ending Dentsu’s long-standing stewardship of one of the advertising industry’s biggest accounts.
The move follows a closed review and marks a notable shake-up in the global media landscape. Dentsu, which managed the account through Carat, had held the mandate since 2014 and successfully defended it in a 2018 review.
While the broader business is shifting, Dentsu is expected to retain media responsibilities for Xbox, according to media reports, though the exact contours of that arrangement remain unclear. None of the parties involved have publicly outlined the transition timeline or the full structure of the handover.
The scale of the account underscores the significance of the change. Estimates from COMvergence, cited by Ad Age, peg Microsoft’s global media spend at roughly $700 million last year.
For Publicis Groupe, the win deepens an already expanding relationship with the tech giant. Earlier this year, Microsoft Advertising partnered with Publicis Media Exchange and Epsilon to integrate Epsilon’s data into its platform, aiming to sharpen targeting across search, native and display formats.
The decision reflects a broader industry shift, as large advertisers increasingly favour agency partners with strong first-party data capabilities, AI integration and platform-led solutions. Publicis Groupe has been leaning into this model, positioning its data assets and technology stack as a central differentiator.
For Dentsu, the loss is significant. Media remains a core pillar of its global business, and the development comes close on the heels of leadership changes, including the appointment of Takeshi Sano as global chief executive officer.
The shift also carries a touch of irony. Microsoft and Dentsu have worked closely beyond the client-agency relationship, including collaborations around AI tools such as Copilot to support media and creative workflows.
As the dust settles, the message is clear: in today’s data-driven, AI-powered media world, relationships may be long, but they are rarely permanent.
