AD Agencies
Sambit Mohanty to head McCann Bangalore as EVP in expanded creative-business role
MUMBAI: McCann Worldgroup India has handed Sambit Mohanty the reins of its Bangalore operations in a dual capacity as EVP & creative head, effective June. The appointment reflects the agency’s continued focus on nurturing internal talent and doubling down on integrated leadership in high-growth regional hubs.
Mohanty, a seasoned adman with over 20 years of experience, will now oversee both creative output and business operations for the southern office. He succeeds Vishal Ahluwalia, who is set to exit McCann India by the end of June.
This elevation also signals McCann’s intent to rewire its talent pipeline and break conventional silos, as confirmed by the group’s national creative chief Prasoon Joshi. “I am excited to see talent grow from within, and in ways that break the conventional mould. We continue to leverage the expertise and creativity of our people at MWG India to deliver exceptional value to our clients”, Joshi stated.
Based out of Bangalore, Mohanty will report to McCann India’s national leadership team. His remit includes growing business impact, strengthening client partnerships, and building a sharper creative proposition across sectors.
“It’s tremendously exciting to be stepping into this expanded leadership role”, Mohanty said. “I look forward to pairing my creative lens with a sharper business focus and driving impactful ideas, fostering innovation and creating meaningful value for both our clients and our people”.
Mohanty is widely respected across the Indian advertising industry for his narrative sensibility and brand-building craft. His promotion also marks a strategic moment for McCann Bangalore as the agency looks to amplify its south India presence and service agility.
McCann India has extended its best wishes to outgoing executive Vishal Ahluwalia, acknowledging his contribution to the firm’s southern growth journey.
AD Agencies
Publicis Groupe to acquire 160over90 from WME Group
Deal aims to build data-led platform linking brands, fans and culture at scale
MUMBAI: Publicis Groupe has agreed to acquire 160over90 from WME Group, in a move that signals a major push into the fast-growing world of sports and culture-led marketing.
The deal, subject to regulatory approvals, will see Publicis combine its existing Publicis Sports capabilities with 160over90’s global footprint to create what it calls a unified, end-to-end platform connecting brands with audiences through sport, entertainment and culture.
Founded as a division of WME Group, 160over90 has built a reputation for delivering high-impact campaigns across some of the world’s biggest sporting moments, including the Super Bowl, Olympic Games and FIFA World Cup. With over 670 employees across the US, UK, EMEA and Apac, the agency works with global brands to create experiences that resonate both on and off the field.
The acquisition reflects a broader shift in marketing, where sport has become a central pillar of premium media. With the global sports media market estimated at $150 billion and sponsorships crossing $90 billion, brands are increasingly looking for more integrated ways to engage audiences.
Publicis is betting that a data-led approach will be the differentiator. By integrating 160over90 with its own capabilities, including the Epsilon identity ecosystem and Influential network, the company aims to offer marketers a seamless way to plan, activate and measure campaigns across media, sponsorships, live events and creator partnerships.
Publicis Groupe CEO Arthur Sadoun said, “After building our industry-leading position in identity resolution, commerce, and creators, our next big bet is sport. In the age of AI, it has become one of the most high-value channels for clients.”
He added that combining 160over90’s expertise with Publicis’ data and technology stack would help “connect brands to fans in ways that are both meaningful and measurable”.
Echoing the sentiment, Publicis Connected Media CEO Dave Penski said, “Sport has become the most powerful intersection of culture, commerce and community,” highlighting the growing need to treat sports marketing as a measurable channel rather than just brand-building.
As part of the deal, Publicis will also enter into a strategic partnership with WME Group, enabling closer collaboration on talent, content and brand partnerships. WME Group president Mark Shapiro said the tie-up would open up new opportunities for talent and brands to scale their ambitions globally.
Post acquisition, the combined Publicis Sports entity will report to Suzy Deering, while Robbie Henchman will remain with WME Group to oversee the ongoing partnership.
The move builds on Publicis’ recent investments in the space, including acquisitions of Adopt and Bespoke in 2025 and a partnership with Magic Johnson Enterprises, underscoring its intent to dominate the intersection of sport, culture and commerce.
As brands chase both attention and accountability, Publicis’ latest play suggests the future of sports marketing may be less about moments alone and more about measurable impact at scale.
