MAM
Dentsu appoints Sumit Kohli head of investment – APAC
Former Publicis Media executive to drive client-first, data-led media investment strategies across the region
SINGAPORE: Dentsu has bolstered its Asia-Pacific leadership bench, appointing Sumit Kohli as head of investment – APAC, as the network sharpens its focus on disciplined, outcome-driven media spending in a volatile advertising market.
Kohli, a media veteran with nearly two decades of experience, steps into the role after an 11-year stint at Publicis Media, where he most recently served as APAC executive director, investment, accountability and partnerships. His mandate at dentsu is clear: align investment decisions more tightly with client priorities while delivering measurable, high-impact results.
Based in Singapore, Kohli will steer regional investment strategy across both digital and offline channels, with a strong emphasis on accountability, transparency and performance metrics. His appointment comes as agencies face mounting pressure from clients to justify every rupee spent amid shifting consumption patterns and the rapid rise of data-led media buying.
At Publicis Media, Kohli led initiatives around measurement frameworks and ROI-driven planning, working across key markets including Singapore and Thailand. He also handled marquee clients such as Coca-Cola, Samsung, Mars-Wrigley and LVMH, building long-term partnerships and driving efficiencies in media investment.
Earlier stints at MediaCom Singapore, VivaKi and MEC saw him cut his teeth across planning, trading and negotiation, managing 360-degree media mandates and scaling digital spends for key accounts. He began his career as a media planner at Percept, steadily moving up the ranks as the industry pivoted towards integrated, cross-platform strategies.
Kohli’s move underscores dentsu’s push to double down on strategic investment leadership as advertisers demand sharper returns and greater accountability. With media fragmentation accelerating and digital commanding an ever-larger share of budgets, the battle is no longer just about reach—it is about precision, performance and proof.
In that race, dentsu is placing its bets on Kohli to turn every media rupee into a measurable advantage.
Brands
Funskool India crosses US$40 million turnover in FY 2025-26
Toy manufacturer posts steady growth despite global headwinds.
MUMBAI: Funskool India has played its cards well turning challenges into steady growth while keeping the fun alive in the toy business. The country’s leading toy manufacturer has reported a turnover of $40 million in FY 2025-26, demonstrating resilience in a difficult global environment. The company recorded an average growth of 14 per cent over the past two years, with exports growing at a healthy 19% year-on-year.
While domestic business grew at a modest single-digit pace, Funskool saw encouraging traction in key categories such as Fundough (dough) and Handycrafts (arts & crafts).
Funskool India Ltd. CEO K.A. Shabir said, “We successfully navigated the challenges posed by US tariffs last year and continued to grow both our export and domestic businesses. Given the ongoing geopolitical situation in West Asia, we are currently working with a moderate growth outlook of 12–15 per cent, with plans to revisit our targets after Q1 once the situation stabilises.”
He highlighted strengthened partnerships with global companies including Spin Master (Canada), Moose Toys (Australia), Melissa & Doug (USA), Asmodee (France), Learning Resources (USA), and Buffalo Games (USA). The expansion of the company’s Goa plant is progressing and is expected to be completed by the end of the current financial year.
Looking ahead, Funskool expects a significant shift in domestic growth momentum for FY 2026-27, driven by new categories such as friction vehicles under the brand “BlazeTrix”, remote-control cars under “VoltRush”, and the addition of popular licences like Paw Patrol.
In an industry where playtime never stops, Funskool has shown that even in turbulent times, a smart strategy and strong partnerships can keep the business ticking along nicely. As it gears up for the next financial year, the company appears well-positioned to build on its solid foundation and bring even more joy to children worldwide.
