MAM
Omnicom names Anil Jayachandran as communications planning head, Malaysia
MUMBAI: Omnicom Media Group has appointed Anil Jayachandran as head of communications planning in Malaysia.
In his new role, Jayachandran will be working on key client accounts across OMD and PHD to drive thought leadership and best strategy practices.
Jayachandran brings with him a diverse skillset on board, with over two decades of experience working across marketing, advertising, and research functions in strategy-related roles, including tenures at the likes of JWT, Unilever, Lintas, Ogilvy & Mather, McCann Erickson and Omnicom Group.
With a career that spans geographies, Jayachandran has previously been based in India, Egypt, Malaysia, Bahrain and Dubai.
He joins the Omnicom Media Group team from his role as strategy planning director at Leo Burnett.
Omnicom Media Group Malaysia CEO Andreas Vogiatzakis said, “Anil’s incredible strategic mind, deep in-market knowledge and breadth of experience working alongside clients to produce innovative solutions makes him a valuable addition to the team. I am certain his hire will be instrumental in strengthening Omnicom Media Group’s strategic output for our clients, and we are more than delighted to welcome Anil on board.”
Jayachandran added, “I am excited to be joining the talented team at Omnicom Media Group, and hope my experience and background will be able to complement current and future offerings.”
Jayachandran reports to Vogiatzakis in his new role, and his position is effective immediately.
MAM
Kate Rouch steps down as OpenAI Chief Marketing Officer
Marketing leader prioritises health after late-stage breast cancer diagnosis.
MUMBAI: When the toughest battle moves from the boardroom to the personal front, even the sharpest minds know it’s time to step back and focus on winning the most important fight of all. Kate Rouch, chief marketing officer at OpenAI, has announced she is stepping down from her role to focus on recovery following a diagnosis of late-stage breast cancer.
In a heartfelt LinkedIn post, Rouch revealed she was diagnosed around a year and a half ago, shortly after taking on the CMO position. Despite undergoing intensive treatment, she continued to lead the company’s marketing function through what she described as one of the most challenging periods of her career.
She explained that while she remained deeply committed to her role and team, she had reached a point where prioritising her health and recovery had become essential. Rouch called the decision difficult, noting it required acknowledging personal limits and shifting priorities. She reflected that the experience had reshaped her understanding of courage not always about pushing harder, but sometimes about stepping back to focus on long-term wellbeing, family and sustainability.
Rouch expressed gratitude to her team and colleagues for their support. She mentioned that Gary will step in to help lead the function and recruit a successor. She plans to support the transition and remains open to returning in a different capacity in the future, depending on her health.
Prior to joining OpenAI, Rouch served as the first chief marketing officer at Coinbase and spent over a decade at Meta, where she was vice president and global head of brand and product marketing.
She also thanked well-wishers for their messages and shared that stories from fellow survivors had a meaningful impact during her treatment journey.
In the high-stakes world of tech marketing, Kate Rouch has always been known for her strategic brilliance. Now, she is showing a different kind of strength, one that reminds us that even the most driven leaders sometimes need to pause, heal, and come back stronger when the time is right. Wishing her a full and steady recovery.
