News Headline
Dentsu Creative India strengthens strategy team
Mumbai: Dentsu Creative India continues to reinvent the boundaries of excellence with the appointment of Shweta Khosla and Punit Singh as executive vice president (EVP) – strategy & planning. In their new roles, the duo will report into Dentsu Creative India chief strategy officer (CSO) Sumeer Mathur.
As per the mandate, they will deliver transformative strategies for the agency’s key clients and brands. Their expertise will prove instrumental in addressing brand challenges and elevating the creative standards across both offices. Together, Khosla and Singh will fortify the agency’s strategic capabilities, delivering solutions that blend modern creativity, human insights, cultural authenticity, data analysis, and cutting-edge technology.
Khosla will lead the strategy team in the Bengaluru office, leveraging her exceptional leadership skills and comprehensive funnel approach. Meanwhile, Singh will take charge in the Gurugram office, spearheading strategic thinking on vital accounts and establishing an integrated strategy team to enhance client support.
Prior to this, Khosla led the strategy of Wunderman Thompson as senior vice president & executive planning director. With a 20-year background in strategic planning across 10 countries and diverse categories, Khosla has extensive experience, particularly in beverages, beauty, fashion, newspapers, and technology. Beginning her journey after completing her bachelor’s in chemistry from St. Stephens College, she embarked on her advertising career with Ogilvy & Mather, Bangalore, and subsequently held positions at JWT and Grey.
Singh brings with him a robust experience of over 17 years, having worked across startups, media, and creative agencies. His expertise extends across both the client side and the agency landscape. In his most recent role, he served as lead planner at Lowe Lintas, working with brands such as Google Search, Google Maps, Google Assistant, Google Home, Upstox, OLX, and HP, among others. Singh has also excelled as a digital integration evangelist, making a significant impact on various brands and offices. His skill set encompasses tech, data, digital, product, consumer, and communication. In addition to this, his work has garnered recognition at the national, regional, and global levels, receiving prestigious awards and accolades from platforms such as Effies, Emvies, WARC, and Cannes Lions.
Speaking on the appointments, Mathur said, “I am very excited to welcome Shweta and Punit to the team. Their wealth of experience and insightful perspectives will certainly revolutionize our strategic product. With their exceptional leadership on key accounts, we are confident that they will inspire their teams to harness Modern Creativity and drive exceptional results. Exciting times lie ahead, and we are well-positioned for a promising journey.”
Khosla commented, “The question that marketers are increasingly asking is how to make brand equity connect and deliver results across their consumers’ fragmented journey. This requires collaboration across data, creative, and media – a necessary change of approach that dentsu has already initiated. However, a new way of working is not the only reason I consider myself lucky to be a part of this team. I have entered a culture of kindness and a happy work environment, which is the secret sauce for creating ideas that deliver.”
Singh added, “I am thrilled to join Dentsu Creative. I have long admired their work, especially their interpretation of ‘Modern Creativity’ which has been recognized not just in India but worldwide. I look forward to working and learning with such a talented bunch of people to create work that is both effective and engaging.”
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
