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Jitender Dabas to exit Cheil X, join Omnicom as BBDO group CEO
Cheil X chief moves to Omnicom to steer BBDO’s creative and growth agenda
MUMBAI: Omnicom Advertising India is set to appoint industry veteran Jitender Dabas as chief executive officer of the BBDO Group, bringing one of the country’s most respected strategy minds into the global network’s top India role.
Dabas currently serves as chief executive officer at Cheil X, a position he took up in May 2025 after more than 14 years at McCann Worldgroup. His move to Omnicom signals another high-profile leadership shift across India’s advertising networks, as agencies sharpen their creative and data-led offerings.
At McCann, Dabas rose through the ranks to become chief operating officer and chief strategy officer for India, a role he held from 2020 to 2025. Before that, he served as chief strategy officer and earlier as executive vice president and head of strategy, shaping brand and business narratives for a wide roster of clients.
His career in planning spans more than two decades, with stints at JWT, Grey Worldwide and Draft FCB Ulka. Across these roles, he built a reputation for blending cultural insight with sharp brand thinking, earning industry recognition and awards along the way.
An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, where he completed a B.Tech, Dabas is known in the industry for his distinctive voice on creativity, effectiveness and the evolving role of advertising.
At Omnicom, he is expected to lead the BBDO Group’s next phase of growth, with a focus on creative strength, integrated capabilities and closer alignment with client business outcomes.
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Liqvd Asia wins Woodland digital mandate
Agency to handle social, influencers and storytelling for outdoor lifestyle brand.
MUMBAI: Liqvd Asia just laced up for the long trail because when Woodland wants to trek deeper into digital, it picks a partner that knows how to make every step count. Liqvd Asia, the digital-first marketing agency known for fusing creativity with performance, has been awarded the digital communications mandate for Woodland, adding another marquee lifestyle brand to its growing portfolio.
Under the partnership, Liqvd Asia will lead Woodland’s social media management, influencer collaborations, brand storytelling, platform-first content strategies, campaign narratives and community engagement initiatives. The focus is on strengthening the brand’s digital presence and deepening connections with younger, digitally native audiences while staying true to Woodland’s legacy of rugged outdoor footwear and apparel.
Woodland, head of digital marketing Nikita Malhotra Singh said, “Woodland is more than a brand; it’s a community of explorers and adventurers. We are thrilled to partner with Liqvd Asia to tell our story in more dynamic and interactive ways.”
Liqvd Asia, founder & managing director Arnab Mitra added, “Woodland is a brand with strong emotional recall in India, built on adventure, durability and authenticity. We’re excited to translate that legacy into digital conversations that feel current, engaging and culturally relevant.”
Liqvd Asia business head Monish Sanghavi noted, “With a brand like Woodland, the focus goes beyond managing platforms to shaping how the brand shows up in the digital world. We look forward to building a strong, consistent narrative that deepens connect with loyal consumers and younger audiences alike.”
The mandate comes as Woodland continues to evolve in an increasingly digital landscape, aiming to blend its decades-old recall with fresh, interactive storytelling across social platforms and creator ecosystems.
In a market where heritage brands must keep pace with scroll-speed audiences, Liqvd Asia isn’t just handling Woodland’s digital, it’s helping the brand trek from dusty trails to trending feeds, one authentic post at a time.
