MAM
Alex Lubar exits DDB, steps in as Fundamentalco CEO
MUMBAI: Alex Lubar has stepped down as global CEO of DDB to take the helm at Fundamentalco, marking a fresh chapter in one of advertising’s most dynamic leadership journeys. He joins founder Jonny Bauer and what he calls “an immensely talented team” at a company he describes as “a truly unique operation that understands the power of brand-led value creation.”
In a warm message to his former colleagues, Lubar thanked the global DDB network for “the unbelievable community” he had the privilege of leading over the past two years. “Your creative genius is only outmatched by your collective grace,” he said.
Lubar’s move caps a career defined by steady ascent across some of the world’s most influential agencies. Before joining Fundamentalco in November 2025, he spent more than three years at DDB, serving first as global president and COO and later as global CEO.
His earlier chapter at McCann Worldgroup saw him rotate through major leadership roles, president of McCann North America, president of McCann Worldgroup Asia Pacific, CEO of McCann London, and global chief marketing officer. Prior to McCann, he sharpened his strategic and new-business skills at Grey, Bartle Bogle Hegarty, The Ad Store, and Rapp Collins Worldwide.
Lubar now steps into a role that gives him space to rethink, rebuild and reimagine. With a career shaped by bold choices and big impact, his next act at Fundamentalco looks set to be every bit as interesting as the ones before it.
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33 per cent of women believe the salary scale is rigged: Naukri report
Voices @ Work study finds rising calls for equal pay audits and lingering bias
MUMBAI: Progress may be visible in India’s workplaces, but many women still feel the need to tread carefully. A new report by Naukri reveals that one in two women hesitate to disclose marriage or maternity plans during job interviews, worried that such information could influence hiring decisions.
The findings come from the second edition of Naukri’s annual Voices @ Work International Women’s Day report, titled “What Women Professionals Want.” Drawing insights from more than 50,000 women across over 50 industries, the survey sheds light on evolving workplace aspirations alongside the biases that continue to hold women back.
One of the report’s most striking insights is the growing demand for equal pay audits. The share of women calling for regular pay parity checks has climbed to 27 per cent this year, up from 19 per cent a year ago. The demand now stands alongside menstrual leave as the most sought after workplace policy.
Interestingly, the call for pay transparency grows louder higher up the income ladder. Nearly half of women earning between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 1 crore annually say equal pay audits are a priority, suggesting that pay gaps become more visible as women move up the career ladder.
At the same time, confidence and ambition appear to be rising. About 83 per cent of women say they feel encouraged to pursue leadership roles, a significant jump from 66 per cent last year. Cities in southern India appear particularly supportive, with Hyderabad leading the way as 86 per cent of respondents there reported encouragement to step into leadership positions. The education sector recorded the highest sense of encouragement at 87 per cent.
Yet the report also highlights a growing trust deficit around pay equity. Nearly one in three women, or 33 per cent, say they do not believe men and women are paid equally at their workplace. That figure has risen from 25 per cent last year, pointing to widening perceptions of disparity as careers progress.
Bias in hiring and promotions continues to be the biggest hurdle. About 42 per cent of respondents say workplace bias is the main challenge for women from diverse backgrounds. The concern is consistent across major metros, with Chennai and Delhi NCR reporting similar levels.
Reluctance to discuss personal milestones during hiring processes is also widespread. While 34 per cent overall said they hesitate to share marriage or maternity plans in interviews, the anxiety increases with experience. Among professionals with 10 to 15 years of work experience, the figure rises to 40 per cent.
Info Edge group CMO Sumeet Singh, said the data reflects both progress and unfinished work. “Behind every data point in this report is a woman who is ambitious. The fact that 83 per cent feel encouraged to lead is something to celebrate. However, the fact that one in two still hide their marriage or maternity plans in interviews tells us the work is far from done. As India’s leading career platform, it felt not just important but necessary for us to shine a light on these gaps through the second edition of our report,” he said.
The report suggests that while ambition among women professionals is growing, structural changes around pay transparency, fair hiring and supportive policies will be key if workplaces hope to keep pace.
