MAM
WPP’s India country manager CVL Srinivas to retire after 20-year growth run
NEW DELHI: WPP announced today that its India country manager, CVL Srinivas, will retire at the end of March 2026, drawing the curtain on a 36-year career that turned India into one of the advertising group’s four biggest markets by revenue.
Known across the industry as Srini, he has led WPP India since 2017, overseeing a decade of rapid expansion in media, data, technology and creative services. India now employs more than 11,000 people across agencies and a scaled global delivery centre, making it a key engine for WPP’s worldwide operations.
“Srini is a truly outstanding leader whose vision has been instrumental in transforming India into one of WPP’s most important and dynamic markets globally. He has not only delivered exceptional growth but has also built an incredible culture of collaboration and innovation,” WPP chief executive Cindy Rose said. “From establishing our integrated campuses to scaling our global delivery and tech capabilities, his legacy is a stronger, more unified, and future-ready WPP in India, perfectly positioned to harness our AI advantage for our clients. We are deeply grateful for his immense contributions, and we all wish him the absolute best for the future.”
Under his watch, India vaulted from outside WPP’s top 12 markets to fourth place globally, helped by tightly knit client teams that combine media, creative and specialist skills. Three collaborative campuses in Mumbai, Gurgaon and Chennai became hubs for what WPP calls its creative-tech model, blending data, software and storytelling.
Srinivas said he was proud of the “growth, innovation and shared purpose” built by the team, adding that India would continue to drive WPP’s global agenda long after his departure.
Before taking the India role, he ran GroupM in South Asia and Maxus in Asia-Pacific, and was part of the team that launched Hindustan Unilever’s first media agency of record in 1995. He has also served on the boards of industry bodies including BARC, ABC, MRUC and the IAA.
WPP said a successor will be named in due course, as the group prepares for its next phase in one of its most strategically important markets.
MAM
BLR Airport Launches ‘Connections’ Service to Ease Transit Travel
New initiative targets smoother transfers as Bengaluru hub traffic rises 30 per cent.
MUMBAI: Missed connections may be a traveller’s nightmare but Bengaluru is trying to make them a thing of the past. Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR Airport) has rolled out ‘Connections by BLR’, a new transfer programme designed to take the friction out of connecting journeys. Built around three pillars ease, efficiency and experience,the initiative aims to simplify what is often the most stressful leg of air travel.
The move comes as transfer traffic at BLR Airport climbs sharply, up more than 30 per cent year-on-year. Transfers currently account for around 15 per cent of total passenger traffic and are projected to touch 20 per cent by 2026, signalling a clear shift in how the airport is positioning itself within airline networks.
At its core, the programme focuses on making navigation intuitive and downtime more comfortable. Dedicated transfer desks have been set up across terminals, supported by colour-coded wayfinding blue and yellow signage designed for quick recognition. Inter-terminal movement is being streamlined through complimentary shuttle services with predictable wait times, while designated transfer zones aim to reduce passenger confusion.
Beyond logistics, the airport is leaning into experience. Travellers in transit now have access to a wider choice of lounges, curated retail and food and beverage options, as well as sleeping pods for short stays. For longer layovers, transit hotels in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 offer boutique in-terminal accommodation, an increasingly sought-after feature as global travel patterns evolve.
The timing is strategic. BLR Airport now connects to 114 passenger destinations 80 domestic and 34 international with key routes spanning Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Pune domestically, and Singapore, London Heathrow, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Kuala Lumpur internationally. Recent additions such as Hindon, Bidar and Silchar within India, alongside Dammam, Hanoi and Riyadh overseas, are further expanding its reach.
Infrastructure is also catching up with ambition. Developments including the West Cross Taxiway, Terminal 1 refurbishment and Terminal 2 expansion are laying the groundwork for higher capacity and smoother operations critical for any airport aiming to become a serious transfer hub.
Bangalore International Airport Limited chief operating officer Girish Nair framed the initiative as both a response to demand and a forward-looking play. He pointed to the growing depth of the airport’s network and the opportunity to build a more reliable transfer ecosystem that benefits both passengers and airline partners.
In an era where travel is as much about transitions as destinations, BLR Airport is betting that a seamless connection might just be the journey’s most important upgrade.
