Cheil X, part of the Cheil SWA group, has appointed Souvik Datta as National Creative Director. He will co-lead the creative function alongside Amit Nandwani, who continues in the same role. Datta will report to Vikash Chemjong, Chief Creative Officer, Cheil SWA Group.
Datta joins from McCann Worldgroup, where he was leading creative operations for the West region and had previously overseen the North. He has worked on campaigns for brands including Hero MotoCorp, Nestlé (Maggi), Domino’s, Reckitt, and Asian Paints.
With over 23 years of experience, Datta has worked at agencies such as McCann, Lowe, TBWA, and Contract. His past work includes brands like Liril, Tanishq, Fastrack, ICICI Prudential, Dettol, and others, across multiple Indian cities.
Jitender Dabas, CEO of Cheil X, said, “I’ve worked with Souvik and know just how good he is at steering big brands and businesses. Whether it was Hero, Maggi, Domino’s, Asian Paints, or Reckitt, I have seen the real-world impact his work has had on businesses. He is someone who champions ideas that build brand meaning at scale not just through big TVCs but through ideas that create impact every moment across the consumer journey. I am looking forward to his joining us at this pivotal time for Cheil X.”
Amit Nandwani brings over 22 years of experience from agencies including Leo Burnett, Ogilvy, McCann, and DDB Mudra. He has worked on brands such as Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Iodex, Star Sports, Philips, and Amazon. He has also directed over 20 commercials.
“With Souvik and Amit at the helm of our creative function, we’re bringing together two leaders who’ve helped shape iconic campaigns for some of the biggest Indian and global brands. They’ve led large teams, built brands across categories, and bring complementary strengths to the table,” says Dabas.
Cheil X also announced an expanded role for Rajit Gupta, who currently leads the creative function at Cheil X Mumbai. Gupta will now head the agency’s brand experience and design capabilities across India, covering spatial, experiential, and environmental design.
Vikash Chemjong, CCO, Cheil SWA Group, said, “It’s said that great advertising moves people. What’s also true, is that great advertising people, also moves people! And with Jeetu coming in, talent has begun to move steadily towards Cheil X. The first of course being Souvik. And one just has to look at the breadth of his work to understand the creative flair.
With him teaming up with our rock-solid Amit Nandwani and expanded role for Rajit Gupta, Cheil X is well on its way to become a force that’ll be difficult to ignore in this new-age advertising landscape.”
Jitender Dabas added, “We’re building an agency designed to solve business problems through creativity. Our focus is on ideas that impact every moment—ideas that move beyond campaigns to show up consistently across platforms, experiences, and touchpoints. With our new creative teams driving different dimensions of our creative ambition, Cheil X is entering its most exciting chapter yet.”
