MAM
TOC deploys Cavalry to rewrite entertainment PR rules
MUMBAI: The chaos of India’s entertainment market has left a gap, stories get lost in noise. Enter Cavalry Media, a full-service entertainment division from The Other Circle (TOC), designed to make headlines that actually stick. This is not about fleeting coverage; it’s about building narratives that linger in the cultural imagination.
Cavalry will focus on high-velocity entertainment ecosystems, including Hindi cinema, OTT platforms, creators, musicians, celebrities, and elite sports. Its approach is clear, replace scattergun PR with carefully targeted campaigns that integrate media strategy, digital IP, data analytics, and brand tie-ups.
TOC founder and CEO Aakanksha Gupta said, “Authentic storytelling is the only currency that lasts. Cavalry scales this philosophy, blending creativity with intelligence to ensure clients don’t just participate in culture, they lead it.”
Cavalry group head of entertainment Prathmesh Chavan added, “The modern audience is too savvy for reactive PR. Every launch, every film, every debut becomes a cultural moment, structured to endure well beyond opening weekend.”
Cavalry offers a 360-degree approach, including influencer campaigns, experiential activations, crisis management, and intellectual property development. The division inherits TOC’s 12-year legacy, boasting collaborations with some of India’s most influential names: Sonam Kapoor, Kalki Koechlin, Bhuvan Bam, Rishabh Pant, Armaan Malik, Abhishek Sharma, Santanu Hazarika, and Upasana Kamineni Konidela.
With Cavalry, TOC is not just making noise; it’s composing a symphony of stories designed to resonate, endure, and lead the conversation.
MAM
Dentsu revamps global leadership, names Takeshi Sano global CEO
New structure aims to sharpen execution, accelerate transformation and drive client growth
Tokyo: Dentsu Group has unveiled a sweeping global management shake-up, appointing Takeshi Sano as president & global ceo, effective March 27, 2026. The move is aimed at supercharging execution, driving client growth and accelerating the group’s transformation across 120 countries.
Sano, who currently serves as ceo, dentsu Japan and deputy global coo, has transformed Dentsu Inc. into an integrated growth partner, delivering 11 straight quarters of revenue growth and strong profits for two consecutive years. Since 2023, he has steered dentsu’s business transformation globally as BX ceo, dentsu, and strengthened Japanese client expansion overseas.
“To support the pace of our transformation and strengthen execution, dentsu will sharpen the distinctive value that sets us apart, positioning ourselves as a true growth partner from strategy through execution,” Sano said. “By creating momentum for clients, partners, people and society, we will reinforce trust and steadily enhance corporate value.”
Under the new management, the global coo and global president roles are being removed. Regional CEOs and practice presidents will now report directly to Sano, enabling faster decisions and tighter client alignment. A new global chief transformation officer and global chief corporate affairs officer have been appointed to accelerate enterprise initiatives and reinforce governance.
Yoshimasa Watahiki, currently Coo, dentsu Japan, steps up as director, representative executive officer, executive vice president and global chief corporate affairs officer. Shigeki Endo remains global cfo, bringing over 30 years of global finance expertise to the fore. Both, along with Sano, are slated for approval as directors at the March 27 shareholders’ meeting.
Other key appointments include: Beth Ann Kaminkow as ceo, dentsu Americas & chief global client officer; Andre Andrade, ceo, dentsu EMEA; Yuichi Toyoda, ceo, dentsu APAC; Will Swayne, global practice president – media & integrated solution; Pete Stein, global practice president – CXM; Yasuharu Sasaki, global chief creative officer; Miho Tanimoto, global chief HR officer; Noritaka Omi, global chief transformation officer; Jean Lin, global chief brand officer; Yoshiki Ishihara, global new ventures officer; Manus Wheeler, chief of staff; Jeremy Miller, global chief communications officer; Shirli Zelcer, chief data & technology officer.
Additionally, Toby Benjamin has been appointed as chief media officer at dentsu UK.
The shake-up comes as dentsu looks to accelerate its transformation, strengthen governance, and deliver measurable growth for clients worldwide. “By eliminating redundant layers and empowering leaders closest to clients, we can act faster, execute better and generate sustainable value,” Sano added.
Hiroshi Igarashi, Arinobu Soga and Giulio Malegori will step down from the global management team and take on advisory roles, marking a clean slate for the new executive leadership.
With a sharpened management engine, Dentsu is betting on speed, unity and client-centric execution to drive its next chapter of global growth.
