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
ABBY Awards 2026 names 3 jury chairs across digital, PR and publisher
Aditiya, Dharmaraj and Puri to lead key categories at Goafest 2026
MUMBAI: The Ad Club has announced the appointment of PG Aditiya, Deepshikha Dharmaraj and Pavita Puri as jury chairs for the Digital, PR and Publisher categories respectively at the ABBY Awards 2026, powered by The One Club and The One Show.
The awards are set to take place during Goafest 2026 from May 20 to 22 at Taj Cidade de Goa Horizon, bringing together some of the biggest names in advertising and marketing.
PG Aditiya, founder and CCO at Talented, will chair the Digital jury. A former chief creative officer at Dentsu Webchutney, he now leads Talented, an employee-owned independent agency known for its unconventional structure and award-winning work for brands such as Meta, Google, Britannia and Tanishq. The agency has also been recognised as a global ‘Best Place to Work’ by Campaign magazine for two consecutive years.
In the PR category, Deepshikha Dharmaraj, CEO at Burson Group India, brings over three decades of experience in public relations and integrated communications. She oversees multiple entities including Burson Genesis, GCI Health India and Hill & Knowlton India. Known for her strategic counsel and leadership, Dharmaraj has also served as president of industry bodies such as PRCAI and PAFI, and has been a jury member at global platforms including Cannes PR Lions and D&AD Awards.
Pavita Puri, chief brand and marketing officer at The Indian Express Group, will chair the Publisher category. With over 15 years of leadership experience, she has been instrumental in driving the group’s transition into a digital-first media powerhouse, overseeing brands such as The Indian Express, Financial Express, Loksatta and Jansatta. Her earlier stints in advertising include roles at Rediffusion and Lowe India, where she handled marquee clients across sectors.
The appointments reflect a strong mix of creative, communications and media expertise, underscoring the awards’ focus on recognising excellence across evolving industry segments.
As the industry gears up for Goafest, the ABBY Awards 2026 promise to spotlight standout work, with seasoned leaders at the helm of jury deliberations shaping the benchmark for creative excellence.
