Dr Sandeep Goyal, Chairman & Managing Director of Rediffusion, has been unanimously elected President of the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) for 2026-27.
The appointment comes as the apex body for advertising agencies and media buying houses enters its 81st year, following its 80th anniversary earlier this year.
Goyal brings more than four decades of experience across advertising, media and business. He began his career in 1984 with HTA, followed by stints at Trikaya Grey and Mudra. He became President of Rediffusion in 1997 and later served as Group CEO of Zee in 2001. Between 2003 and 2011, he was India JV Partner and Chairman of Dentsu India & Middle East.
His experience also spans technology and public policy, having served as Chairman of the Advisory Board of Snapchat India and as Principal Secretary in the Punjab Government. In 2021, Goyal acquired Rediffusion and Everest.
An MBA and PhD from FMS Delhi, Goyal was conferred a DLitt by the University of Lucknow in 2023. He has authored 10 books, including The Dum Dum Bullet and Konjo – The Fighting Spirit, and writes regularly for leading publications.
His industry affiliations have included the Board of NATAS in New York, the global Board of MIP in London, the ASCI governing council, the IBF and AAAI executive committees, and the MRUC. He has also served as Vice-chair of the MRUC and Joint Committee Coordinator of IBF-INS. Two years ago, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from ASSOCHAM.
Taking charge at a time of significant change for the advertising industry, Goyal pointed to several issues that will require attention during his tenure.
“The AAAI is faced with many challenges. The CCI investigation has cast a long shadow on many member agencies. Most agencies are struggling on how to deploy AI and data technologies. Agency revenues are under stress. So there is much that needs attention,” he said.
He also flagged AAAI’s flagship GoaFest, saying the property “needs rejuvenation and a long-due refresh”, adding that the year ahead would be a busy one.
For Goyal, however, AI adoption is set to be a central focus. “Taking the fear out of AI is the industry’s most compelling need today and training current cadres is the most desirable solution so that jobs are protected. Will try to do my best, especially for AAAI members that don’t have scale and size,” he said.
His term will therefore begin against a backdrop of technological change, pressure on agency revenues and evolving regulatory scrutiny, with AI skills and industry-wide capability building among the key areas on his agenda.
