AD Agencies
Omnicom announces leadership for India as legacy giants fold into global networks
MUMBAI: Omnicom has thrown the dice on India, installing Prasoon Joshi as chairman and Aditya Kanthy as president and managing director of Omnicom Advertising in the country. The pair will steer operations from 1 January 2026, reporting to Sean Donovan, president of Omnicom Advertising Asia. S Subramanyeswar—Subbu to most—completes the power trio as chief strategy officer for India and chief knowledge officer for Asia.
The shake-up follows Omnicom’s absorption of IPG last week and the subsequent cremation of three legendary agency nameplates: DDB, FCB and MullenLowe. All three are being folded into Omnicom’s global triumvirate of BBDO, McCann and TBWA. FCB slides into BBDO’s embrace, while DDB and MullenLowe join TBWA’s ranks.
In India, the new structure leans heavily on home-grown equity. TBWALintas, BBDO Group and McCann will fly the flag, bolstered by the brand muscle of Lintas, Ulka and Mudra—names that still carry weight in Indian advertising’s collective memory.
The leadership shuffle reads like a game of musical chairs with purpose. Dheeraj Sinha takes charge of McCann in India, with Rahul Mathew overseeing creative. Josy Paul stays put at BBDO, though a refreshed team is promised soon. Govind Pandey and Prateek Bhardwaj will run the merged TBWALintas operation, while Chandni Shah becomes chief executive of the combined Kinnect and 22feet Tribal outfit. Rohan Mehta gets the brief for digital integration across the group.
Donovan insists the transition will keep clients steady whilst creating room for talent to flourish. The bet, essentially, is that scale and opportunity will trump nostalgia for the old marques.
The new guard takes the reins on New Year’s Day. Whether they can shuffle India’s advertising deck into a winning hand remains to be seen—but Omnicom is betting big that fresh faces and familiar brands make for a killer combination.
AD Agencies
Havas Media Network India bags integrated media mandate for Aakash Educational Services Limited
PivotRoots and Arena Media to drive 360° strategy for student outreach
NEW DELHI: Havas Media Network India has secured the integrated media mandate for Aakash Educational Services Limited, following a competitive multi-agency pitch, signalling a fresh push by the education major to sharpen its reach among students nationwide.
The mandate will be jointly handled by PivotRoots and Arena Media, both part of the Havas network. Together, they will roll out a full-spectrum media strategy designed to boost AESL’s visibility across digital and traditional platforms.
At the heart of the partnership lies a simple idea: making the brand not just seen, but sought after. The agencies will blend data, technology and creative storytelling to craft campaigns that resonate with students and parents navigating an increasingly digital-first education landscape.
Aakash Educational Services Limited SVP marketing Kanika Kumar Nijhawan said, “At Aakash, we believe success is built through a structured, long-term and data-driven approach. As we expand across the country, adopting a more integrated approach to media is essential. This partnership marks a significant step towards building stronger connections with our audiences.”
Under the arrangement, PivotRoots will spearhead digital and performance marketing, covering social media, influencer collaborations and data-led optimisation. Meanwhile, Arena Media will focus on traditional channels including print, television, radio, cinema and outdoor advertising, ensuring consistent messaging across touchpoints.
Havas Media Network India chief executive officer Mohit Joshi said, “Delivering for a powerhouse like AESL requires both scale and precision. By combining Arena Media and PivotRoots, we are deploying our Converged.AI platform to create a 360-degree strategy that drives engagement, conversions and long-term growth.”
Echoing the sentiment, PivotRoots founder and chief executive officer Shibu Shivanandan added that the collaboration would focus on building “impactful, full-funnel experiences” powered by deep analytics and performance-led marketing.
With a strong legacy in coaching for medical and engineering entrance exams, AESL is now doubling down on integrated media to stay ahead in a crowded, fast-evolving education market. The partnership with Havas signals a clear intent: to turn visibility into meaningful engagement and, ultimately, student success.
