Scroll through Instagram on any given day, and it feels like every third post is a cleverly disguised ad. From catchy jingles and quirky memes to ‘relatable’ skits and influencer shoutouts, brand content has seamlessly woven itself into our digital lives. Chances are, you’ve discovered brands like Zouk, Perfora, or Theatre not through a hoarding or TVC, but from a swipe through your feed. So, who’s orchestrating these thumb-stopping campaigns that seem to know you better than your best friend? Enter the Digital Agencies.
Speak to any modern CMO today, and their marketing mix likely spans across traditional and modern mediums—but when it comes to where the money is, digital takes the lion’s share. With mobile-first audiences, shrinking attention spans, and an insatiable appetite for content, Digital is no longer just a part of the mix—it is the mix. While big enterprises have built in-house digital wings to keep up, the real trailblazers of this space are the independent digital agencies—nimble, creative powerhouses that offer end-to-end solutions tailored for the fast-paced, data-driven world we live in. These are the agencies that don’t just think outside the box—they reinvent it daily. Born in the social era and raised on metrics, they speak the language of engagement, impressions, and click-through rates, while still keeping the core of storytelling alive.
In India’s ever-evolving Digital landscape, screen time has surged and online behaviours have become more nuanced. Brands realize that they need partners who could keep up. It’s not just about catchy creatives anymore. Today’s digital agency is a hybrid beast—equal parts content creator, data analyst, media strategist, and tech consultant. From performance marketing and SEO wizardry to influencer marketing, moment marketing, and more, these agencies are constantly redefining what’s possible in digital. And it hasn’t gone unnoticed. IMPACT Magazine, with its ear to the ground and eye on performance, has tracked the rise of these digital stars. This year, we’ve curated an exclusive list of the top Independent Digital Agencies in India—those who’ve not only created buzzworthy campaigns but have driven solid business results for clients across categories. This list is more than just recognition; it’s a spotlight on the creative, strategic, and entrepreneurial excellence that defines the new-age agency model.
In the pages ahead, we go behind the scenes with the founders, and digital mavericks driving these agencies. From their unique journeys and philosophies to the campaigns that put them on the map, get ready to meet the minds behind your favorite digital ads—and understand what it really takes to win in the ever-evolving world of digital marketing.
Independent Digital Agencies - The Stars
‘We aim to scale our size by 10X in next 4-5 years’
Harshil Karia, Founder, Schbang, on what sets them apart from competition, their Dutch expansion, and other major projects
Schbang’s USP
“We are ahead of the market in tech integration, with technology making up a significantly higher percentage of our business than the 5-10% typical among other companies. Our 150+ member tech team is constantly experimenting with new innovations, and we aim to scale this to 10 times the size in the next 4-5 years. Internationally, we have a strong vision: our London office is now profitable, we’ve acquired an Amsterdam base, and we’re exploring African markets. While India remains the foundation of our growth, it also propels our global expansion. Creatively, we’ve added stellar talent over the past year, including Uma Saini as Chief Creative Officer and Karan Kapoor as Creative Director, marking our creative rebirth. Our blend of digital agility and mainline strategy positions us to rival traditional agencies, and we’re excited to showcase this strength. I don’t think, in terms of nimbleness and effectiveness of digital, the mainlines can compete with us. But we will soon be competing with mainlines as far as strategy planning and mainline creative is concerned.”
Planning a Global future
“We’re not considering further acquisitions at this time; our focus is on perfecting our current initiatives. Our larger vision is to position ourselves as a global leader in design and technology. To illustrate, Amsterdam is to design and tech what Harvard is to top-tier education—a global powerhouse. Establishing a presence there signals our ambition and aspirations. Barry Schwarz and Koen Van Ovoorde, Co-Founders of Addikt, are exceptionally skilled and highly respected, known for their impactful work on brands like Tata Motors, PhonePe, and MPL, as well as global projects for Booking.com. Integrating such talent elevates our team’s design standards and drives us forward.”
About Harshil
Harshil Karia is the Founder of Schbang and Co-Founder of Level SuperMind. A visionary entrepreneur, he has grown Schbang into a 1200+ strong digital solutions agency integrating creativity, technology, and media. He is recognised for creating impactful campaigns for brands such as Fevicol, Jio, and Britannia.
About Schbang
Schbang, founded in 2015, is a Creative, Media, and Technology Transformation company with offices in Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi-NCR, London, Amsterdam, and Stockholm. It was featured as a LinkedIn Top 25 Start-up in 2018 and 2021, and was also listed among the Financial Times’ 450 High-Growth Companies in the Asia-Pacific region.
AWARDS WON
Founder of the Year by the Founders Alliance
Internationalists Award for Innovative Solutions in Digital Marketing
‘Creative is my core front; gets us the most business’
Shradha Agarwal, CEO and Co-Founder, Grapes Worldwide, on their London expansion, top projects across the map and more
Strategy at the core of creativity
“Strategy has been the core of everything for us. Which is why whenever we are meeting the client, we are 90% up and about there because strategically, our moves are very correct. We’re able to understand the brief, we’re able to put that into a formula or a process which can help the client in reaching the right objective. Secondly, in terms of business, Creative is my core front. This is where we get maximum business from. And then the rest become a part of this. Several mid-scale clients are very happy because they get a one stop solution to take care of the strategy.”
Going international, starting with London
“The London move has been great. Why we did it in the first place was because of the exposure and Moolah (money). Furthermore, such expansions also put you on the map; it is a great way to showcase the talent and work hailing from our country. After meeting so many people across the globe, I feel we Indians are very dedicated and hold a certain pedigree. When it comes to the results, I feel we are faring well. Partnering with top brands like Louis Vuitton and Cartier, we have completed some 40 international projects.”
About Shradha
Shradha Agarwal is the Co-Founder & CEO of Grapes, one of India’s leading integrated communications agencies. With over 15 years of experience, she co-founded Grapes in 2015 with Himanshu Arya, driving its growth into a top independent digital agency.
About Grapes
Grapes Worldwide is one of the fastest-growing global marketing and communications agencies, dedicated to driving brand and business growth through data-driven strategies. With offices in India and the UK, the agency specialises in creating ‘Story-Enabled Growth’ by blending communication and technology. Its services include brand strategy, digital business solutions, content creation, social media management, PR, influencer marketing, website development, SEO, media planning, and e-commerce management.
‘We leverage content creation & distribution to hack culture’
Shrenik Gandhi, CEO and Co-founder, White Rivers Media, on their recent projects, their focus on understanding culture, and more
Strongest Vertical
“It’s not just about a vertical; it’s about understanding cultures and subcultures. We believe in mastering the art of hacking subcultures along with pop culture, to drive the business of advertising, which is inherently culture-led. By dissecting these influences, we deliver the best ROI for brands. To hack culture, we leverage content creation and distribution, powered by smart use of MarTech—one of our core USPs. By decoding consumer behaviours through the lens of cultural insights, we enable brands to create relevance before it’s even needed.”
White Rivers’ most interesting projects
“We have had the privilege of working across four distinct verticals, each representing a different facet of India’s evolving story. The first includes global brands in India, like Coca-Cola and Hershey’s — brands that have shaped global culture and are shaping local conversations. The second is India’s iconic legacy businesses — names like Reliance group, Tata Group etc. These are the organisations we grew up watching, studying, and admiring. Today, we have the honour of helping write their next chapters. The third comprises India’s new-age disruptors — hyper-funded startups such as Zomato, Swiggy, and boAt, who move fast, challenge conventions, and demand creative agility at every turn. Finally, there’s media and entertainment — where storytelling is the currency, whether it’s for Bollywood blockbusters, OTT platforms, or global studios like Universal Pictures. Some of our recent work ranges from a video-first campaign for Zomato’s EV fleet, to impactful storytelling for Astral, to creative partnerships with Maddock and Jio Studios on films like Chhaava. It’s a rare privilege to work at the intersection of heritage, innovation, and culture — and that’s a responsibility we take seriously.”
About Shrenik Gandhi
Shrenik Gandhi is the co-founder of WRM, a leading independent digital creative agency in India. In over 12 years, he has transformed it from a 35-member team into a powerhouse of 500+ professionals. Under his leadership, WRM partners with top brands across Entertainment, FinTech, FMCG, D2C, and Web3.
About White Rivers Media
Established in 2012 with a team of 35, White Rivers Media has transformed into a powerhouse of 500+ taskforce. They are an independent, integrated digital advertising and marketing agency with 6 offices, delivering services and solutions across content, video, media and technology.
‘‘In India, speed and immediate results are critical”
Angad Singh Manchanda, CEO & Co-founder, Chimp&z, on working in North America & India, expansion plans, and growth journey
Difference between North American & Indian markets
“We operate in both North America and India, with offices in New Jersey, Toronto, and India, and a robust team and infrastructure in place. These markets, however, are vastly different. India is a hyper-competitive, fast-paced, and rapidly growing market, while North America operates with a more deliberate, long-term, and strategic approach. In India, speed and immediate results are critical, whereas North America values process, planning, and sustainability. The startup ecosystem in India is unparalleled, with dynamic growth and countless opportunities, unlike the North American focus on a few dominant players.”
Brand Solutions by Chimp&Z
“Strategic thinking is at the heart of everything we do. When working with a brand, we focus on its long-term vision, planning for five years rather than just short-term executions. Whether it’s website design, app creation, social media campaigns, or productivity tools, creativity and strategy remain central to our approach. Emerging technologies, like AI, have enhanced our ability to be creative, allowing us to deliver innovative solutions such as AI-generated brand films and transforming FAQs into content marketing. While we offer a wide range of services, our value lies in combining deep insights and strategic thinking with years of experience to consistently meet client needs.”
Expansion plans
“Expansion isn’t immediately on the cards, but our vision is global. We aim to take Chimp&z, an Indian agency, worldwide, tapping into markets that value technology-driven creativity. Why limit ourselves? The world is open to ideas, and we’re ready to embrace that challenge.”
About Angad Singh Manchanda
Angad Singh Manchanda began his advertising journey at 19, working across four agencies in diverse roles before turning his vision into reality. As co-founder of Merge Infinity Global, he built Chimp&z Inc, a leading digital-first agency, now expanding to North America. He also launched Griffin Pictures Worldwide, Saber Tooth Media, Yellophant, and Search Munky under the same umbrella.
About Chimp&z Inc
Chimp&z Inc, a leading creative agency under Merge Infinity Global Network, was founded by Angad Singh Manchanda and Lavinn Rajpal. Headquartered in Mumbai, with offices in Gurugram, New Jersey, and Toronto, it has been crafting data-driven, digital-first campaigns since 2013. With 200+ experts, the agency specialises in Digital Integration, Performance Marketing, and Influencer Marketing. It runs Griffin Pictures for media production and Yellophant for startups.
‘We are not just an agency; we are a digital business transformation company’
Prasad Shejale, Founder and CEO, LS Digital, on their global operations, and how they are not just competing with agencies but also consulting and system integration firms
What sets LS Digital apart?
“I deeply respect large network agencies, but as a challenger brand, we take a different approach. While they focus on media and creative, we also compete with consulting and system integration firms, thanks to our fast-growing data division. Our key differentiator here is agility. Big agencies are powerful but slow to adapt. We move faster—spotting trends, delivering targeted solutions, and empowering clients to be agile themselves. Integration is another strength of ours. Our six verticals and strong project management enable us to solve complex problems comprehensively. With my technology background (IIT Madras, IT services), we excel in adopting AI, making us future-ready. Our agility, integration, project management, and AI focus define us.”
LS DIgital’s Global Expansion Plans
“We always possessed the skills and capacity to scale but needed a presence in overseas markets, which proved to be challenging due to cultural differences and brand acceptance. We entered the European market through a partner, where we focused on consumer understanding, UI/UX, and data solutions. This has been successful, especially with privacy-compliant data services for clients. In the US, we formed a joint venture with Fearless, a company with 16-17 years of experience, to provide high-end consulting services. In Australia, our Co-Founder Santosh is based in Melbourne, working on expanding our footprint. The Middle East was our first market, where we have grown from media services to offering integrated 360-degree projects combining media, creative, and data solutions. Now, with a strong team and service suite, our focus for the next year is on delivering in these regions—Europe, the US, Australia, and the Middle East—without seeking new markets.”
About Prasad Shejale
Prasad Shejale, Founder and CEO of LS Digital, is on a mission to transform the digital landscape by turning customer journeys into compelling brand stories. His approach to digital business transformation spans media, creative communication, data, tech, UI/UX, and customer experience. An IIT Madras alumnus, Prasad blends marketing and technology expertise to drive growth.
About LS Digital
LS Digital, India headquartered, is a global leading Independent Digital Business Transformation (DBT) company. The company comprises four entities, LS Digital, Media and Measurement and Transformation Consulting company, Langoor, CX & Web 3.0 company, f1studioz, a UI/UX company, and Social Panga, a digital-first creative company, that have come together to form a global DBT brand.
‘Our core strength is undeniably creative,’
Mehul Gupta, Co-Founder & CEO, SoCheers, and Siddharth Devnani, Co-Founder & Director, SoCheers, on their business plans, top projects and how creativity remains their stronghold
Being Creative-First—Mehul Gupta
“Our core strength is undeniably creative. This is where we specialise—creative across platforms, from digital to offline channels. You will find us driving creative communication, campaigns, and overall strategy. Even when it comes to media, we approach it from a creative standpoint, as that’s where we have consistently delivered value to our partners over the past 11 years.”
Highest growth verticals—Siddharth Devnani
“Our outreach vertical is one of our fastest-growing, covering everything from influencer marketing to seeding and integrated campaigns. SoCheers Films, our content production arm, has seen strong growth too, producing standout films for major brands. With most content consumed on social media, we fine-tune our creative approach using analytics to track algorithm trends, ensuring our work stays organically relevant.”
Boast-worthy projects—Mehul & Siddharth
“Over the last 11 years, we have worked with some of the biggest brands across industries, but for us, impact matters more than billing. One of our key projects, ‘Study in India’, launched with late Sushma Swaraj and the MEA, promotes India as a top education destination for students from developing countries. Our efforts streamlined student intake and grew numbers from some 2,500 to nearly 40,000 annually. With Croma, we transformed its digital presence, making it more relatable to Gen Zs and millennials. In entertainment, we have led digital campaigns for Netflix (Kapil Sharma Show), Prime Video (Panchayat), and the Amazon MiniTV relaunch. For the Amazon-MX Player merger, we handled communications, social strategy, and campaigns like ‘Shikhar & Orry’, keeping the brand fresh and engaging.”
About Mehul Gupta
Meet Mehul, a first-time entrepreneur fuelled by curiosity and relentless energy. As CEO and co-founder of SoCheers, he has built a thriving team of 200+ talented individuals. Under his leadership, SoCheers has partnered with 100+ global brands, delivering award-winning campaigns.
About Siddharth Devnani
Siddharth Devnani, Co-Founder and Director of SoCheers, is a digital marketing expert with an entrepreneurial edge. Starting with just three interns, he has led SoCheers to a thriving 200+ member team. He oversees finance, profitability, media planning, and buying. He also drives the Digital Intelligence & Analytics division.
ABOUT So Cheers
Founded in 2013, SoCheers set out to shape brand narratives that truly connect. Evolving from a digital agency into a creative powerhouse, it blends storytelling, technology, and innovation to set trends rather than follow them.
‘For us acquisitions are all about the right fit’
Atul Hegde, Founder & Director, YAAP, and Manan Kapur, Sr Partner, YAAP, on their expansion plans, acquisitions and how they plan to reach Rs 500 crore in revenue within the next 24 months
YAAP’s expansion plans
“We will be opening our Riyadh office in Saudi Arabia this year. Other than that, there is not much else to talk about. In India, while we have sales offices across the country, Bangalore is a key focus for our expansion plans. Although we serve clients nationwide, our offices are currently located in Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad. We are now looking to establish Bangalore as a strategic expansion centre.”
YAAP’s acquisition strategy
“For us, acquisitions are all about fit. We acquire for two key reasons—to expand into a new geography or to strengthen our existing service lines. When we acquired Crayons, it was to deepen our presence in Dubai. With Oplify, it was about entering programmatic services in Singapore. This year, we have several acquisitions lined up.”
YAAP’s growth trajectory
“We have grown consistently by 50% year on year for the last three years, and we are on track to close this year at nearly Rs 200 crores in revenue. With both organic and inorganic growth, we aim to reach Rs 500 crores within the next 24 months.”
About Atul Hegde
Atul Hedge is a seasoned advertising professional with over 25 years of experience, having spearheaded multiple ventures across India, the UAE, and Southeast Asia. He is the Founder & Director of YAAP and a key figure behind Oplifi and Crayons Communications. Atul has worked with leading global brands, including Philips, Air France, Maruti Suzuki, Tatas, HDFC Bank, and Dubai Tourism.
About Manan Kapur
Manan Kapur, Senior Partner at YAAP, is a seasoned advertising professional with 16 years of industry experience. He has led campaigns for renowned brands such as Philips, Honda Cars, Pepsi, Maruti Suzuki, and more. A pioneer in influencer marketing in India, he played a key role in launching and executing the country’s largest video-led influencer engagement programme for ITC Hotels.
About Yaap
Yaap is a fast-growing, multi-specialised digital content marketing and design company that covers the entire content lifecycle—from creation to amplification. They are a team of modern storytellers who thrive on the three pillars of storytelling: design, discovery, and distribution.
‘The goal is to build a global network rooted in India’
Saurabh Varma, Founder and CEO, Wondrlab, on building a global network focused on martech, shift towards a hub-based model and more
Wondrlab’s acquisition strategy
“Our strategy revolves around completing 26 acquisitions in three phases, with six already done and 20 remaining. The goal is to build a global network rooted in India, centered around four or five strategic hubs rather than the legacy model of being present in 100+ countries. By design, the network integrates marketing and digital transformation from the start, with differentiation driven by significant investment in technology. To preserve the entrepreneurial spirit, we acquire 51–75% ownership, enabling founders to retain autonomy and agility. Deals are structured with a mix of cash and equity, aligning everyone under a shared vision through Wondrlab shares. This approach fosters innovation and creates a transformative, tech-led network.”
Wondrlab’s Global Network
“Global networks evolved to support brands expanding to 100+ countries, ensuring agencies could follow and manage them effectively. Traditionally, this required maintaining a presence in every market, but today’s clients are shifting toward consolidation. They seek centralised solutions for performance marketing, e-commerce, websites, and content creation, simplifying operations across their global footprint. We believe the future lies in a streamlined model with 4–5 strategic hubs: for example, Poland for Europe, Mexico near to the US, Vietnam for the Far East, and Dubai for the Middle East. This modern approach aligns with clients’ needs for efficiency and scalability.”
About SAURABH VARMA
Saurabh, Founder and CEO of Wondrlab, is a seasoned advertising professional with 20 years of experience. In 2020, he launched Wondrlab, India’s first platform-led martech company, acquiring What’s Your Problem soon after. Passionate about media, technology, and startups, he serves on TiE Mumbai - a Global Entrepreneurship Organization’s board.
About WONDRLAB
Wondrlab, launched in 2020, aims to build a world-class global network from India, focusing on marketing and digital business transformation. Its integrated marketing technology network offers a full-funnel approach to brand creation and monetisation. The Wondrlab network includes What’s Your Problem (digital-first creative agency), Wisr (brand-school partnerships), Opportune (data-driven influencer marketing), Neon (performance marketing), Cymetrix (CRM & data analytics), OPA (influencer marketing), and BigStep (software development).
‘At SRV Media, our independence is our strength,’
Dr Vikram Kumar, Founder and Managing Director, SRV Media on their distinguished project portfolio, operational style, and more
Most interesting campaigns
“At SRV Media, our campaign portfolio stands as a powerful testament to our creativity and strategic prowess. Among our recent standout projects that have earned prestigious industry awards is SLAT 2025 – Symbiosis Law Admission Test, a dynamic campaign that repositioned SLAT through an engaging ad film featuring a courtroom-style debate, blending humour and persuasion to drive test registrations. Our Bank of Maharashtra – PAN India Digital Outreach campaign took a multi-channel approach, promoting home loans, car loans, VKYC bank account openings, and other financial offerings, alongside a strong SEO push. For Queen Mary University of London, we executed a strategic brand awareness initiative in India, effectively positioning the university among Indian students and driving enrolments through targeted digital branding. Our SPJIMR – Performance Marketing for Program Promotions campaign was results-driven, ensuring optimal visibility and lead generation for various programs across India.”
Why different from large networks?
“At SRV Media, our independence is our strength. We keep our teams small and focused—each project is managed by a dedicated group of 15-20 experts covering strategy, creative, performance marketing, SEO, content, and analytics. This means you get personalised attention without the layers of bureaucracy you might find in larger networks. We also invest in our own technology. Our proprietary AI Automation Platform, along with our in-house WhatsApp bot and other tools, helps us not only generate leads but also nurture and engage them throughout their journey. This end-to-end approach turns initial interest into lasting customer value.”
About Dr Vikram Kumar
Dr Vikram Kumar’s journey is driven by a passion for technology and marketing, honed through his studies at Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, and Symbiosis International University, Pune, where he earned a BE in Computer Science, an MBA in IT, and a PhD in Digital Marketing. He began his career at HDFC Bank but soon followed his entrepreneurial spirit, co-founding SRV Media in 2011. As Managing Director, he fosters innovation and excellence, leading the agency to remarkable success.
About SRV
For over 12 years, SRV Media has been transforming brands through integrated digital marketing solutions. What sets them apart is its methodical approach to execution. During this time, it has successfully delivered over 2,000 projects for 300+ brands, managing media budgets exceeding Rs400 crore. As a dynamic hub of experts, it offers a wide range of solutions, including Branding, Performance Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Public Relations, Content Marketing, Video Production, and more.
‘Innovation is at the core of everything we do,’
Ahmed Aftab Naqvi, Global CEO and Co-founder of Gozoop Group on staying ahead in a cluttered Digital space and more
Role of Innovation in Gozoop’s Strategy
“Innovation is at the core of everything we do. We call it #BreakTheBox. It’s what allows us to create solutions that not only meet today’s needs but also anticipate the future. We encourage our team to constantly explore new ideas, test out new technologies, and challenge the status quo. By fostering a culture of continuous learning and providing them with the tools to experiment, we ensure that innovation remains a driving force. Staying ahead of trends is part of our DNA, and we instil that mindset in everyone who works here.”
Focusing on customer-centricity
“One of the biggest challenges today is staying ahead in an environment that’s evolving so quickly. New technologies, platforms, and consumer behaviours are constantly emerging. To stay competitive, we place a huge emphasis on continuous learning and adaptation. Our team is always exploring new trends, tools, and methodologies to ensure that we offer our clients innovative solutions. We also maintain a strong focus on customer-centricity, ensuring that everything we do is designed to optimize user experience and engagement.”
About Ahmed Aftab Naqvi
Ahmed Aftab Naqvi is a visionary leader in digital advertising, serving as the Global CEO and Co-founder of Gozoop Group and Founder of Sparknext. A first-generation entrepreneur, he transformed a small Mumbai startup into one of India’s leading independent advertising networks, working with global brands like Lego, DBS, and Taj Hotels. A Cannes Lions juror and industry speaker, he champions “ideas with purpose.” Recognised by India’s Prime Minister as a ‘Champion of Change,’ he advises NITI Aayog on digital transformation.
About Gozoop
Gozoop Group is an independent marketing agency specialising in creative and strategic solutions to elevate brand dominance. It was founded in 2008 by Ahmed Aftab Naqvi, Rohan Bhansali, and Dushyant Bhatia. With over 300 experts, GOZOOP delivers integrated, platform-agnostic campaigns, blending creativity and technology. Partnering with top brands like Dell, Asian Paints, and Taj Hotels, the group pioneers award-winning work.
Standout Independent Digital Agencies
Pratik Gupta
Co-Founder, Zoo Media & FoxyMoron
"What sets us apart is our strength across four core pillars: content, creative, media, and events and experiences. We seamlessly blend creativity and storytelling with a data-driven mindset, ensuring that data and technology lie at the heart of everything we do. Our commitment to innovation drives us to consistently craft strategies and campaigns that resonate deeply with audiences and achieve measurable impact. Our integrated service model offers comprehensive solutions across the entire digital advertising spectrum. By offering this comprehensive ecosystem of services under one roof, we ensure that our clients benefit from a holistic and unified brand strategy, rather than fragmented campaigns spread across different touchpoints. This cohesive approach enables brands to stay agile, adapt to the ever-changing digital landscape, and achieve sustainable, long-term growth.”
About FoxyMoron
Established in 2008, FoxyMoron is a full-funnel creative and performance-driven digital agency. They craft future-ready brands by integrating content, technology, media, and data. As part of the Zoo Media network, they have forged lasting partnerships with top brands across various industries, including L’Oréal, Netflix, Colgate, Amazon India, Burger King, and IKEA, among others, delivering innovative digital solutions to drive growth and engagement.
Sowmya Iyer
Founder & CEO, DViO Digital
"Agencies, in their traditional form, are outdated. The world doesn’t need another digital agency; it needs a partner that understands the entire business ecosystem, unlocks compounding growth, and drives efficiencies that don’t just add up but multiply impact. The legacy agency model moves too slow for today’s business landscape. We’ve built DViO as an ecosystem, where brands scale at the intersection of technology, creativity, and AI-powered intelligence. For us growth isn’t just a number—it’s a mindset. We closed last year with 80% growth, but that’s just a reflection of a deeper truth: we’ve built a business that thrives on agility and innovation—where AI, automation, and intelligence aren’t just buzzwords but the core of how we operate. Beyond topline expansion, our focus has always been a strong bottom line. Growth at scale is only sustainable when it’s built on operational efficiencies, financial prudence, and long-term value creation.”
About DViO Digital
DViO Digital is a leading full-service digital marketing agency specialising in innovative brand experiences, data-driven strategies, and cutting-edge technology. With expertise in content, performance marketing, influencer collaborations, and AI-driven solutions, DViO empowers brands to drive engagement and business growth. With offices in Qatar, UAE, and India, they have established a network of people, agency partners & brands that work together to solve business issues & build profitable brands.
Manas Gulati
Co-Founder & CEO, ARM Worldwide
"At ARM, we believe in continuously evolving—not just when we have to, but as a part of our culture. Our team’s adaptability is key to our success. Initiatives like ARMIgnite have allowed us to stay ahead of the curve, embracing new technologies like AI quickly and effectively. This has kept us relevant and ready for what’s next. For example, our incorporation of AI-driven SEO—an innovative service we introduced—has completely transformed how we optimise search engine results for our clients. This new add-on has helped improve visibility, increase ranking accuracy, and refine strategies with AI-driven insights. Clients have valued its ability to adapt quickly to shifting market conditions and algorithm changes. Similarly, our technological evolution, including the launch and utilisation of proprietary tools and platforms across several services, has proven impactful. It has strengthened our foundation, driving consistent innovation and scalability.”
About ARM Worldwide
Established in 2013, ARM Worldwide is an independent digital advertising and marketing communications enterprise that specialises in developing and implementing digital strategies across earned, paid, and owned media for clients. They provide comprehensive solutions that are infused with creativity, backed with technology and analytics to ensure success.
Ramneek Chadha
Co-founder & COO, Xapads Media
"At Xapads, our strength is built on two key pillars: continuous technological innovation and a collaborative, inclusive culture. We stay ahead of market trends by constantly evolving our programmatic advertising solutions to provide region-specific, effective strategies. By integrating innovative technology with deep local insights, we help brands achieve optimal results and maximise their impact. Secondly our ‘one team, one dream’ philosophy fosters a unified approach where the success of one is the success of all. This collaborative environment allows our teams to seamlessly work together to deliver outstanding outcomes. In the last five years our global footprint has expanded, with presence in Indonesia, Russia, China, MENA, UK and USA across diverse industries. But the growth is not just about expanding geographically; it’s also about offering superior performance and results. We make it a priority to leverage the latest in programmatic advertising, ensuring we deliver the most relevant and effective solutions for each region.”
About Xapads Media
Xapads Media is a leading AdTech company revolutionising digital advertising with innovative solutions for brands and agencies. They seamlessly guide users from awareness to conversion, ensuring an engaging journey at every stage. Their advanced suite of tools includes Connected TV (CTV), Video (Web and In-App), OEM Solutions, and Mobile Performance, helping advertisers maximise impact and efficiency in an ever-evolving digital landscape.
Chetan Asher
Founder & CEO, Tonic Worldwide
"Early on we invested deeply in building a deep listening and insights practice that helps us with understanding the evolving digital behaviours across regions and demographics. The insights have helped us launch new product lines, change communication and evaluate strategy for our clients. But perhaps most importantly, we’ve maintained the soul of an independent agency while building the capabilities of a network. This means our clients get the best of both worlds - the personal attention and flexibility of a boutique agency, combined with the robust processes and scale of a network. 2024-25 has been a remarkable year of sustainable growth for Tonic Worldwide. We have seen a 20% year-over-year growth in our core digital business while maintaining our investments in talent development and technological capabilities.”
About Tonic Worldwide
Tonic Worldwide is a global digital-first creative agency with a strong presence in India, the Middle East, and beyond. With over two decades of experience, Tonic specialises in data-driven creativity, digital marketing, and brand strategy. The agency has worked with top brands across industries, delivering impactful campaigns and innovative digital solutions. Recognised for its consumer-first approach, Tonic Worldwide combines insights, technology, and creativity to drive meaningful engagement and business growth.
Harikrishnan Pillai
CEO and Co-Founder, TheSmallBigIdea
"In this business, there are clear indices to measure success and we try to map ourselves against it religiously. Firstly, longevity of clients: We believe in ensuring that we work with clients for longer periods of time. We end up sustaining over 98% of our retainer clients, YoY. Second - Good Ideas, better execution, best outcome: We believe that ideas, execution and outcome, all three need to work in unison. I think this is our best strength. Diversified business model: Our revenue is well-distributed, with no single client contributing more than 15% of our business. While we are known as an entertainment-focused agency, our portfolio is balanced, with Media and Non-Media contributing 51% and 49% to our topline, respectively. Our topline recorded an impressive 55% positive growth compared to last year, driven by sustained performance in the M&E business and a growing contribution from the Non-M&E segment across India and Dubai.”
About TheSmallBigIdea
TSBI started as a social media marketing agency but has grown into a full-service digital solutions provider. While it has made its mark in the entertainment industry, it now works with clients across travel, FMCG, and e-commerce. TSBI offers a wide range of services, including content marketing, social media management, web and app development, SEO, influencer marketing, and performance marketing, helping brands build a strong digital presence.
Mrinal Lunia
CEO & Founder - Digitale India
"We provide full-service digital infrastructure and management services for all our brands and hence we are working as their extended digital arm and provide content and distribution support. There are three major factors that separate us from others: We are constantly evolving and keeping up with the changes and trends to ensure brands stay updated. Me and the core leadership team are generally involved in all flagship accounts. We possess a keen understanding of all cross-disciplinary domains such as content, media, tech and strategy.”
About Digitale India
Digitale is a comprehensive digital media agency providing top-notch digital marketing services. Collaborating with performance marketing specialists and skilled media planners, it drives brands forward and leaves a lasting impact on digital audiences. Through a well-rounded approach combining data-driven strategies, engaging social media campaigns, and other digital tools, Digitale ensures that a brand’s story reaches the right people and makes a meaningful impression.
Vishnu Sharma
Founder & CEO, Efficacy Worldwide
"Most independent digital agencies specialise in specific areas—some in social media, others in performance campaigns, programmatic advertising, or Google and Meta. But we offer the full spectrum of digital services. We have our own DSP (Demand Side Platform)- iBoss, operating outside Google and Meta’s walled gardens, integrated with multiple DMPs (Data Management Platforms). Our social team manages content, engagement, and CRM, while our specialists run Meta and Google campaigns with extended credit lines. Unlike global networks’ trading desks, which prioritise agency profits, our DSP provides full transparency. Plus, with IBF and INS accreditation, we support brands from Digital to TV & Print as they scale, making us a true full-service agency. We have been experiencing rapid growth, with a CAGR of approximately 70–80% over the past four years. In the last two financial years, our growth has accelerated to 3x year over year.”
About Efficacy Worldwide
Efficacy Worldwide is a full-fledged ad agency that specialises in Communications Planning, Digital Marketing, Social Media Management, Performance Marketing, Data Analytics, and Tech-design. They harness the power of strategic media buying and targeted digital campaigns to reach real people and build lasting connections.
Barin Mukherjee
Co-founder and CEO, Digital Refresh Networks
"We have two primary advantages. Firstly, we operate with exceptional nimbleness, as we prioritise speed in the processes—a crucial prerequisite for digital success. This gives us a significant edge over network agencies. When it comes to independent agencies, our key differentiator lies in the level of service we provide. Many agencies acquire work merely for the sake of it, whereas we prioritise long-term partnerships. Our average client retention exceeds two and a half plus years, which is notably higher than the industry average. Strong relationships are at the heart of our success, and we consider them one of our core strengths. Post-COVID, we have experienced very steady growth in the business. Looking at FY 2021, including the COVID period and the years that followed, our growth has remained consistently strong. Year on year, our revenue has increased by more than 15–20%. On average, I would estimate a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 20%.”
About Digital Refresh Networks
Formerly known as Digital F5, Digital Refresh Network focuses on social media, search, mobile, video marketing, and augmented reality. The independent agency helps brands achieve their goals across the web, mobile, and social platforms by offering tailored digital solutions. These include communication and commerce applications, as well as audio-visual content, ensuring a customised approach to each brand’s needs.
Prashant Deorah
Founder & CEO, Puretech Digital
"What sets us apart is our ability to create tailored digital strategies that align with a brand’s identity and objectives. We don’t follow a one-size-fits-all approach; instead, we craft solutions that are agile, insight-driven, and results-oriented. As an independent agency, we are nimble, adaptable, and stay deeply involved in our clients’ engagement and success. Our standing is built for collaboration, speed, and impact. Ultimately, our focus is not just on marketing, it is on delivering business roll, and that’s what makes us impactful and a force to reckon with. Our growth is reflected in strong client retention, new business wins, and expanded service offerings. Over the past year, we have, deepened our expertise in performance marketing. Our ROI tracker is almost automated for client reporting purposes. We have also expanded creative and content solutions, strengthened our talent and culture & raise our headcount and our active client base.”
About Puretech Digital
Puretech Digital is a Mumbai-based independent digital marketing agency, with a team of over 250 experts. They stand among India’s most experienced agencies, offering, comprehensive services across various digital marketing disciplines, specialising in Organic Growth Marketing, Performance Marketing, Marketing Automation, Content Marketing, Creative Solutions, Influencer Marketing and Data Analytics.
