AD Agencies
Havas CX India appoints Amandeep Singh Kochar as EVP –experience strategy & martech head
Havas CX India has strengthened its leadership bench, appointing Amandeep Singh Kochar as executive vice president, experience strategy and martech head, as the group doubles down on customer experience as the core of brand growth.
Based in Gurugram, Kochar will report to Manas Lahiri, chief growth officer of Havas India, who also oversees the Havas CX India operations. He will work closely with leadership teams across the network to position Havas CX India at the centre of client conversations.
In his new role, Kochar will focus on building future-ready customer experience and marketing technology capabilities, spanning martech, CRM and data analytics. His mandate includes strengthening the network’s go-to-market strategy and driving deeper integration across Havas India agencies.
David Shulman, global ceo of Havas CX, said, “I’m thrilled to welcome Amandeep to the Havas CX team. In today’s landscape, brands are increasingly recognizing the importance of uniting communications and experience. Amandeep’s leadership will empower our clients to gain deeper insights into customer needs and develop experiences that deliver on the promises brands communicate.”
Lahiri said customer experience now sits at the heart of brand relationships and long-term value creation. “Across markets, CX is emerging as the core driver of brand relationships, loyalty and long-term value, and today sits at the centre of every client conversation. As brands navigate an increasingly complex marketplace, CX has become the lens through which strategy, creativity, data and technology must converge. Amandeep brings a rare blend of strategic depth, martech expertise and regional leadership experience. His ability to build CX capabilities and drive growth will be critical as we scale our CX strategy and go-to-market practice.”
Kochar said Havas CX India was at a pivotal moment. “Havas India has emerged as one of the most progressive integrated networks today, with a powerful blend of creativity, data and media. Havas CX India is at an exciting inflection point where these capabilities are coming together with technology to deliver real business outcomes. There is no better place to build the future of CX, and I’m looking forward to partnering with Manas and the wider Havas teams to create scalable CX and martech solutions that deliver seamless, impactful consumer journeys.”
Kochar brings 15 years of experience across India and South-east Asia, working with enterprise brands on aligning brand strategy, customer experience and marketing technology. His expertise spans first-party data programmes, personalisation at scale, CRM, martech orchestration and marketing effectiveness. He most recently worked at VML, helping build CX and commerce capabilities across India and South-east Asia, and has also pursued an entrepreneurial consulting stint focused on Bharat-first brands. His client portfolio includes Ford, Colgate, Mahindra, Hindustan Unilever, PepsiCo and BAT.
A frequent contributor to industry thought leadership, Kochar has authored reports for WARC and publishes a biweekly newsletter, Marketing Mediator.
With experience, data and technology now inseparable, Havas is making its bet clear. The future of brand growth, it believes, will be won where experience, martech and meaning meet.
AD Agencies
Publicis posts €4.19bn Q1 revenue, 6.4 per cent growth; backs FY outlook
Ad giant signals Q2 acceleration as AI and new deals power momentum
PARIS: Publicis Groupe continues to outperform the industry, delivering a strong start to 2026 under Chairman and CEO Arthur Sadoun. Despite a volatile global macro environment, the company has now outpaced the industry for nearly 20 consecutive quarters.
For Q1 2026, total revenue reached €4,191 million, up from €4,161 million last year, with organic growth of 6.4 per cent. Net revenue, which excludes pass-through costs, stood at €3,460 million, reflecting organic growth of 4.5 per cent.
Exchange rates had a negative impact of €268 million, mainly due to a weaker US dollar and pound sterling. Acquisitions, including Adge.AI and 160over90, contributed an additional €46 million.
Performance across regions was largely positive, with some variation:
- North America, accounting for 59 per cent of net revenue, grew 4.7 per cent
- Europe recorded growth of 3.9 per cent, led by the UK at 6.2 per cent, while France grew 1.6 per cent
- Asia Pacific posted 5.9 per cent growth, driven by China at 11.7 per cent
- Latin America grew 13.3 per cent
- Middle East and Africa declined 5.1 per cent due to geopolitical challenges
AI-powered marketing services, which now make up 86 per cent of the business, grew 5.6 per cent. However, the technology segment, representing 14 per cent of revenue, declined slightly as clients reduced spending on large-scale transformation projects.
Sharing his outlook, Publicis Groupe chairman and CEO Arthur Sadoun said, “Publicis had a very strong start to the year, outperforming the industry for almost 20 quarters in a row despite the volatile macro environment. Organic revenue growth reached 6.4%, leading to 4.5% in net and further increasing the gap with our peers.” He added that the company remains confident of delivering industry-leading performance. “We are confirming our industry-leading organic growth guidance of 4 to 5%, with the 4% rock solid, and a sequential organic growth acceleration in Q2 despite a higher comparable.”
Publicis continued its expansion with the acquisition of Adge.AI in March, followed by 160over90 in April to strengthen its sports and culture marketing capabilities.
Net financial debt stood at €1,156 million at the end of March, reflecting a seasonal shift from the net cash position at the end of 2025. Average net debt over the past twelve months was €1,035 million.
The company has reaffirmed its full-year guidance, expecting net revenue organic growth of 4 to 5 per cent in 2026. It also anticipates an operating margin slightly above 18.2 per cent and free cash flow of approximately €2.1 billion.
With expectations of stronger performance in the second quarter, Publicis remains well positioned to sustain its growth momentum.
