MAM
WPP media elevates Shekhar Banerjee to lead client solutions in South Asia
NATIONAL: WPP media has elevated Shekhar Banerjee to president, client solutions, South Asia, in a leadership reshuffle aimed at deepening client partnerships and accelerating integrated, future-ready offerings across the region.
Banerjee steps into the role following the departure of Ajay Gupte, who has stepped down after more than a decade of leadership across India and South-East Asia. Gupte played a central role in building Wavemaker into one of India’s most sought-after media agencies.
Banerjee joined WPP media in 2018 as managing partner – west at Wavemaker India, where he focused on strengthening client relationships, scaling teams and driving regional growth. In 2023, he was promoted to chief client officer – west, north and east, further sharpening the agency’s client-centric approach and integrated media delivery.
Announcing the move, WPP media South Asia CEO Prasanth Kumar, said the appointment comes as marketers increasingly demand data-led, integrated solutions that deliver measurable business outcomes. He added that Banerjee’s leadership across digital and offline channels would be critical as WPP media adapts to a rapidly evolving media landscape.
In his new role, Banerjee said the convergence of creativity, data and technology is opening up new growth opportunities for clients, and that he looked forward to building solutions that drive long-term value and impact.
Reflecting on his exit, Gupte said his 15-year journey at WPP media had been shaped by collaboration, resilience and shared purpose, and thanked colleagues for their support across multiple leadership roles.
Brands
Hardik Jhaveri named senior director marketing at Colgate-Palmolive Asean hub
Former Hill’s Pet Nutrition general manager returns to the company to steer marketing for South Asean from Kuala Lumpur
KUALA LUMPUR:Â Hardik Jhaveri has been appointed senior director marketing for the South Asean hub at Colgate-Palmolive, marking a return to the consumer goods major after a three year stint with Hill’s Pet Nutrition. He will be based in Kuala Lumpur and will lead marketing strategy for the region.
Jhaveri joins the role after serving as general manager at Hill’s Pet Nutrition in Taipei, where he led a cross functional team and oversaw the business with full profit and loss responsibility. The role placed him at the helm of operations in Taiwan, managing growth in what he described as a start-up style environment within a global multinational.
Before that, Jhaveri spent over a decade with Colgate-Palmolive across several marketing and innovation roles in Asia. As associate director innovation for Apac excluding China, based in Hong Kong, he led new product development and launches across multiple markets.
His portfolio ranged from developing specialised oral care products such as a diabetes focused toothpaste for the Indian market to launching premium oral care experiences under the Colgate Total brand in Australia. Alongside innovation, he also worked on launch planning, brand strategy and communications for the company’s oral care portfolio.
Earlier in his Colgate-Palmolive journey, Jhaveri held roles including marketing manager innovation, senior brand manager and brand manager. His work spanned urban and rural markets in Mumbai and customer development responsibilities in the Greater Kolkata Area.
Prior to his long association with Colgate-Palmolive, Jhaveri worked as brand officer home care at Unilever, where he helped drive marketing initiatives for the Rin detergent brand, including nationwide relaunch and on ground activation campaigns.
He began his career in advertising with Bates David Enterprise, working on brands such as IDBI Bank, The Leela Hotels and The Times of India.
Jhaveri holds a post graduate programme in management from the Indian School of Business and has also completed a level 4 diploma in wine from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust.
Announcing the move, Jhaveri said he is excited to begin his new chapter at Colgate-Palmolive’s South Asean hub and thanked colleagues and mentors who supported his journey at Hill’s Pet Nutrition.
