Cheil India appoints Raghubar Bisht as client lead for Samsung

GURUGRAM: From LG to Paytm to Samsung, Raghubar Bisht has spent his career selling the gadgets and apps that Indians carry in their pockets and install in their homes. Now he is taking on one of the biggest names of the lot. Bisht has joined Cheil India as client lead, Samsung, working from Gurugram, with effect from September 2026.

Bisht describes himself as a business and media leader with more than 15 years of experience in growth, strategy and client partnerships across top agency networks. At Cheil, his profile lists him as general manager, leading business strategy, client partnerships and revenue growth across integrated media mandates, as well as strategic planning and execution. He also leads strategic planning, business growth and integrated media solutions for ATL media.

His profile points to a lively portfolio of work. It cites high-impact news integrations showcasing Samsung Galaxy AI capabilities in premium news environments, and associations with India Cricket to maximise reach, relevance and viewership at scale. It also lists moment marketing on TV news across high-attention days such as Republic Day, Independence Day and election counting days, and print innovations with leading publications for the flagship launches of the Samsung Galaxy S and Z Fold series. He works closely with brand leadership on complex business challenges, and builds, mentors and scales high-performing teams.

Bisht arrives from Lodestar UM, where he was business director from April 2022 to September 2026 in Gurugram. Before that he was business director at PHD from April 2020 to April 2022, leading strategic media planning for LG Electronics across key categories and the integrated media strategy for home appliances and consumer electronics.

At Wavemaker, from July 2018 to April 2020, he was associate business director. He led business and media strategy for Paytm and delivered integrated media solutions across platforms to support its rapid scale, while also supporting new business development and key pitches.

At OMD Worldwide, over four years and three months, he rose through three roles. He was media group head from April 2014 to June 2016, handling media planning for brands such as Spice Mobile, Snapdeal, Oxigen Wallet and ROCA Parryware. He then became associate media director from July 2016 to November 2017, leading strategic media planning and business leadership for brands including Bacardi, Dr. Oetker, Mahesh Oil, Home Credit and LPU. He was media director from November 2017 to June 2018.

His early career was at MEC, where he spent three years and two months as media planner in New Delhi from February 2011 and then as business manager from April 2012 to March 2014, working on LG Electronics categories such as home appliances and cellular phones. He started out as media executive at MPG in August 2010. Over the years, he says, he has worked across smartphones, consumer durables, FMCG, alcobev, BFSI, education and e-commerce brands.

Bisht describes himself as known for combining clear strategy, disciplined execution and people leadership to deliver sustainable business impact. Announcing the move, he said every new chapter brings fresh perspectives, new challenges and opportunities to grow, and that he is grateful for the journey so far and excited about what lies ahead.

The analysis

Three things stand out. First, the fit. Bisht has spent much of his career on technology and electronics accounts, with years on LG and a stint on Paytm, so the step to Samsung is a natural one. He knows the category’s launch calendar, its heavy reliance on moments and its need for premium visibility.

Second, the range. His portfolio takes in smartphones, consumer durables, FMCG, alcobev, BFSI, education and e-commerce, which suggests a planner who can think across audiences and budgets, not just within one sector. His experience in digital, outdoor and activation, as well as television and print, suits a client that wants integrated thinking.

Third, the continuity. Moving from a media agency to the Samsung business at Cheil, a creative and marketing group, is a sign of how the lines between media, creative and brand are blurring. Bisht’s record of mentoring teams and supporting pitches at several agencies suggests he can bring both client skills and leadership to the job.