AD Agencies
Dr Mukul Jain joins LG-affiliated agency HS AD as digital head
MUMBAI: The Dr in Dr Mukul Jain’s name is because he has completed his Ph.D in information technology working for his thesis between 2011-2018, showing his degree of patience in getting it. The degree is in the past now for Dr Mukul has joined Seoul-headquartered HS AD, an LG Electronics affiliated global ad agency as its digital head of strategy & operations. He will be based in Noida.
Dr Mukul’s last posting was in AGL Hakuhodo where he rose from group head in March 2021 to account director in April 2022 and to director – account management & marketing strategy in April 2024. Whilst at AGL Hakuhodo he managed accounts like Startup India, Indian Airforce, Alliance Air, and others.
Prior to that he spent a year as a client servicing director at Crayons Advertising (Jan -Dec 2020), almost five years at Internet Moguls as head of digital marketing and a good seven years and some months as a research associate at the Jaypee Institute of Information Technology from where he also completed his Phd.
He has had brief stints with the Asian Business School as an assistant professor (Apr 2013-Jun 2014); GL Bajaj Institute of Management & Research as an assistant professor (Jun 2012-March 2013); as a business analyst at Google (Jan 2011-Jun 2011).
Dr Mukul has other educational credits to his name: an MBA in business management, marketing and related support services and a B. Tech in electrical, electronics and communications engineering.
He considers himself a dynamic marketing strategist, a digital transformation leader and a growth architect. He also is a start up investor.
“With over 14 years of experience, I’ve partnered with leading global brands, driving growth and enhancing visibility through strategic marketing initiatives, says Dr Mukul. “ My expertise spans digital marketing, brand strategy, public procurement, and project management, with a proven track record of delivering measurable results for clients like the Indian Air Force, Thai Airways, Startup India, Bira, Alliance Air, ITDC, Ministry of Shipping, MP Tourism, Leela Hotels.”
AD Agencies
ABBY Awards 2026 names 3 jury chairs across digital, PR and publisher
Aditiya, Dharmaraj and Puri to lead key categories at Goafest 2026
MUMBAI: The Ad Club has announced the appointment of PG Aditiya, Deepshikha Dharmaraj and Pavita Puri as jury chairs for the Digital, PR and Publisher categories respectively at the ABBY Awards 2026, powered by The One Club and The One Show.
The awards are set to take place during Goafest 2026 from May 20 to 22 at Taj Cidade de Goa Horizon, bringing together some of the biggest names in advertising and marketing.
PG Aditiya, founder and CCO at Talented, will chair the Digital jury. A former chief creative officer at Dentsu Webchutney, he now leads Talented, an employee-owned independent agency known for its unconventional structure and award-winning work for brands such as Meta, Google, Britannia and Tanishq. The agency has also been recognised as a global ‘Best Place to Work’ by Campaign magazine for two consecutive years.
In the PR category, Deepshikha Dharmaraj, CEO at Burson Group India, brings over three decades of experience in public relations and integrated communications. She oversees multiple entities including Burson Genesis, GCI Health India and Hill & Knowlton India. Known for her strategic counsel and leadership, Dharmaraj has also served as president of industry bodies such as PRCAI and PAFI, and has been a jury member at global platforms including Cannes PR Lions and D&AD Awards.
Pavita Puri, chief brand and marketing officer at The Indian Express Group, will chair the Publisher category. With over 15 years of leadership experience, she has been instrumental in driving the group’s transition into a digital-first media powerhouse, overseeing brands such as The Indian Express, Financial Express, Loksatta and Jansatta. Her earlier stints in advertising include roles at Rediffusion and Lowe India, where she handled marquee clients across sectors.
The appointments reflect a strong mix of creative, communications and media expertise, underscoring the awards’ focus on recognising excellence across evolving industry segments.
As the industry gears up for Goafest, the ABBY Awards 2026 promise to spotlight standout work, with seasoned leaders at the helm of jury deliberations shaping the benchmark for creative excellence.
