MAM
Creativeland Asia ropes in Kantar’s Shalini Sinha
MUMBAI: Creativeland Asia (CLA) has appointed Shalini Sinha as CEO of its consumer intelligence unit and director of strategy.
Her new role will require her to build up the agency's growth and deliver integrated solutions, driven by a well-rounded view on consumer insights that can be translated into actionable brand insights.
Sinha’s previous stint was with Kantar South Asia as commercial lead for its creative division. During her 20+ years in the industry, she has deeply studied the heartland consumer, gaining insights into their motivations and evolving behaviours.
Creativeland Asia founder & chairman Sajan Raj Kurup said, "Given how rapidly consumer truths have changed in recent times, we felt we should make every investment needed to develop the most robust Consumer Insights and Intelligence unit in the business. I am delighted to introduce Shalini as the CEO, consumer intelligence and director of strategy. Previously, she has been involved with some leading names in the industry and has been instrumental in co-developing their brand and communication strategy. Her appointment further strengthens the senior management team at Creativeland Asia."
Sinha added, "I am pleased to join the leadership team of Creativeland Asia, one of the most well-respected creative agencies in India, as it looks to expand its footprint with an entry into the Consumer Insights business. I believe that taking a closer and sharper look at consumer truths has never been more important and that it will set the path for sharper brand strategies. Along with my respected colleagues at Creativeland Asia we aim to create holistic consumer and brand insights."
AD Agencies
WPP appoints Hephzibah Pathak CEO of WPP Creative India
Ogilvy India chair takes charge of unified creative model in key market
NEW DELHI: WPP has appointed Hephzibah Pathak as chief executive officer of WPP Creative India, putting a local leader at the helm of its newly created creative operating model in one of its most important growth markets.
The move brings clarity to how WPP’s global restructuring will play out in India, weeks after the group unveiled WPP Creative as part of its Elevate28 strategy. The unit sits alongside WPP Media, WPP Production and WPP Enterprise Solutions, and is designed to simplify what the company previously described as an overly complex structure.
Pathak, who continues as executive chairperson of Ogilvy India, will represent all agencies under the WPP Creative umbrella in India. Her role centres on driving integration across brands, expanding capabilities and ensuring clients can tap into the network’s full talent pool without friction.
WPP said Pathak will work closely with agency brand CEOs to “enhance integration, expand capabilities, and ensure seamless client access”, while maintaining the distinct identities of its agencies.
The portfolio under WPP Creative includes leading networks such as VML, Landor, AKQA and Grey, along with Burson and its affiliated firms. Leaders across these agencies will now report into Pathak, even as each brand continues to operate independently within a unified system.
The appointment also formalises a dual-track strategy in India, preserving agency identities while accelerating collaboration. Pathak is expected to work closely with media leadership to align creative and media capabilities, reflecting growing client demand for integrated, multi-market solutions.
WPP Creative global CEO Jon Cook has described the unit as “not an agency” but an operating system that helps creative, design and PR brands work together more effectively. The group has been clear that it is not merging or phasing out legacy agency brands, instead aiming to reduce complexity on the client side.
Pathak brings nearly three decades of experience within the network, having joined in 1997 and held roles ranging from Mumbai office head to chief client officer. She made history in 2024 as the first woman to lead Ogilvy India in its 95-year presence in the country.
Her expanded mandate positions India at the centre of WPP’s Asia-Pacific strategy, with a focus on strengthening brand presence, deepening client relationships and unlocking growth in a fast-evolving market.
The appointment signals WPP’s intent to move beyond the traditional holding company model towards a more integrated, AI-enabled structure. With Pathak now steering WPP Creative India, the group appears set to test whether simpler structures can indeed deliver sharper creative outcomes.
