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Cheil SWA elevates Kumar Awanish to group chief operating officer
Former chief growth officer to steer operations and AI push at agency
GURUGRAM: Cheil South West Asia has elevated Kumar Awanish to group chief operating officer, strengthening its leadership team as the agency sharpens its focus on technology and AI-led transformation.
Awanish, who previously served as chief growth officer, will now oversee the group’s operational strategy. He will report to Sungkyoon Kim, president and chief executive officer, and will be based at the agency’s Gurugram headquarters.
In his new role, Awanish will drive operational excellence across the group while fostering closer collaboration among its agencies. He will also help steer Cheil SWA’s ambition to evolve into an AI-first organisation, combining technology and data with creative capabilities to deliver future ready solutions for clients.
“Kumar has the right skill set and experience to lead the group into this dynamic phase,” said Kim. “Cheil SWA is entering a new chapter of advertising transformation led by AI. His passion for the organisation and enthusiasm for work are truly infectious, and I look forward to his next innings with the group.”
With more than two decades of experience across advertising, marketing and digital ecosystems, Awanish has built a career around scaling businesses through technology and data driven strategies. During his tenure as chief growth officer at Cheil India, he led a team of over 100 specialists and helped build the agency’s direct to consumer and commerce capabilities while sustaining strong growth in media operations.
Before joining Cheil SWA, Awanish held roles across several leading organisations including Bharti Airtel, Snapdeal, Times Internet, GroupM and Oppo.
Reflecting on the new role, Awanish said the agency’s next chapter will be driven by a deeper integration of technology and creativity. “We are doubling down on AI literacy across functions and group agencies, empowering our people to use AI not just for efficiency but as a catalyst for human creativity,” he said.
He added that the renewed integration of media and creative capabilities will help the agency remain agile while delivering full funnel impact for clients in an increasingly complex marketing landscape.
