MAM
Who is Shekhar Banerjee, WPP Media’s new president for client solutions?
MUMBAI: Recently elevated to president, client solutions, South Asia at WPP Media, Banerjee steps into the role with more than two decades of experience across media strategy, digital transformation and large-scale agency leadership. His appointment follows the departure of Ajay Gupte and signals WPP Media’s intent to double down on effectiveness, integration and client-centric growth.
At the time of his promotion, Banerjee was serving as chief client officer and office head for west, north and east India at Wavemaker, where he has spent the last seven years building one of the most decorated media operations in the world.
A career built on effectiveness
Banerjee joined Wavemaker in 2018 and quickly became central to its rise as a global benchmark for media effectiveness. Under his leadership, Wavemaker India became the only media agency worldwide to win a Cannes Titanium Lion in 2022 and topped WARC’s global effectiveness rankings in 2023 and 2025, while placing second in 2024.
Domestically, the agency has been repeatedly named agency of the year at the EMVIES and MMG awards, reflecting a consistent ability to translate creativity into measurable business outcomes.
His client portfolio has spanned some of the country’s most competitive categories, working closely with brands such as Mondelez, L’Oréal, Colgate, Reckitt, Netflix, Vodafone Idea, Dream11, Red Bull, FirstCry and others. Known for his hands-on approach, Banerjee has been deeply involved in client development, often partnering leadership teams through moments of market disruption and transformation.
From Madison to Wavemaker
Before Wavemaker, Banerjee spent over 13 years at Madison Media, rising to the role of chief operating officer. There, he led multiple agency units and spearheaded business transformation projects that reshaped Madison’s operating model.
He was instrumental in building a hybrid creative-media offering at a time when digital integration was still nascent in India, developing cross-media toolkits and helping scale revenue across traditional and digital platforms. During this period, Madison Media consistently ranked among India’s top agencies, with marquee clients including Marico, Asian Paints, Godrej, Mondelez and McDonald’s.
A digital-first mindset, early on
Banerjee’s reputation as a digital-native leader was forged early. He was among the first to set up an integrated digital unit within a media agency, delivering end-to-end solutions spanning creative strategy, development and media deployment.
Even earlier, at UTV, he worked in strategic planning for new businesses and played a role in the launch of Hungama TV, India’s first indigenous kids’ entertainment channel—a formative experience that placed him at the intersection of content, commerce and audiences.
A leadership style rooted in scale and systems
Across roles, Banerjee has been known less for grandstanding and more for building systems that last—scalable structures, empowered teams and frameworks that allow creativity to deliver business impact. Over the years, work delivered under his leadership has been associated with more than 1,000 Indian and global awards, making him one of the most awarded media professionals in the country.
In his new role at WPP Media, Banerjee will oversee client solutions across South Asia, with a mandate to strengthen partnerships, integrate capabilities across platforms, and prepare clients for an increasingly fragmented and data-driven media environment.
The bigger picture
Banerjee’s elevation reflects a broader shift within the media industry—away from siloed thinking and towards integrated, outcome-led solutions. As platforms multiply and consumer attention fragments, his career offers a blueprint for navigating complexity without losing focus on what matters most.
In an industry often driven by noise, Shekhar Banerjee’s rise has been built on something far more durable: effectiveness, consistency and trust.
Brands
Nykaa eyes majority stake in Deepika Padukone’s 82°E brand
Deal could help scale premium label as Nykaa sharpens its beauty play
MUMBAI: Nykaa is in advanced discussions to acquire a majority stake in 82°E, the premium skincare label founded by Deepika Padukone, according to media reports.
The proposed deal signals Nykaa’s intent to deepen its House of Nykaa portfolio while giving 82°E the scale it has struggled to achieve independently. Padukone is expected to retain a minority stake if the transaction goes through.
For Nykaa, the play is both strategic and timely. With a customer base of over 42 million, the company is betting on its strong distribution, logistics, and repeat purchase ecosystem to revive the brand’s momentum. The two sides already share a working relationship, with Padukone serving as Nykaa’s global brand ambassador since September 2025.
Launched in late 2022, 82°E entered the market with a premium positioning but has faced headwinds. The brand reported revenue of Rs 14.7 crore in FY25, down 30 per cent year on year, alongside losses of Rs 12.26 crore. Industry observers have pointed to steep pricing, a somewhat diffused brand identity, and intense competition from digital-first labels as key challenges.
The potential acquisition also reflects a broader shift in India’s beauty and lifestyle space, where celebrity-led brands are increasingly partnering with larger corporates to unlock scale. Alia Bhatt’s Ed-a-Mamma, for instance, sold a majority stake to Reliance Retail, while Katrina Kaif’s Kay Beauty has emerged as a standout success within Nykaa’s portfolio, clocking Rs 132.4 crore in FY25 revenue.
Nykaa itself has been on a strong growth trajectory. Its parent, FSN E-Commerce Ventures, reported a 156 per cent jump in net profit to Rs 68 crore in the December 2025 quarter, with revenue reaching Rs 2,873 crore.
Nykaa has been steadily building its portfolio through acquisitions such as Dot & Key, Earth Rhythm and Nudge Wellness, signalling a clear push to own and scale homegrown brands.
If the 82°E deal materialises, it could mark a fresh chapter for the label, blending celebrity appeal with corporate muscle. For Nykaa, it is another calculated step in staying ahead in an increasingly crowded beauty aisle.
