Days after WPP announced a global restructuring of its media operations to drive deeper integration and AI-led solutions, IMPACT has seen an internal communication outlining the corresponding leadership evolution at WPP Media South Asia, marking a pivotal moment in the agency’s transition from GroupM to WPP Media.
As part of this transition, the agency has formalised the move to WPP Media South Asia and announced a new leadership structure comprising an Executive Committee (ExCo) and a WPP Media Leadership Council (WLC). The leadership team will partner closely with India and Sri Lanka head, Prasanth Kumar (PK), to implement the agency’s South Asia strategy.
The ExCo includes Priti Murthy, Ajay Gupte, Amin Lakhani, and Navin Khemka as Presidents, Client Solutions.
In addition to the above four Presidents, the below mentioned leaders are also on the ExCo.
Vishandas Hardasani as Chief Finance Officer will continue to drive a commercial and compliance-led mindset across the organisation.
Upali Nag as President, Strategy, WPP Media South Asia, will steer strategic efforts for high-value clients.
Vishal Jacob as President, Choreograph, WPP Media South Asia, will focus on building and scaling the Choreograph business across the region.
Ashwin Padmanabhan as Chief Operating Officer, WPP Media South Asia, will lead execution excellence for clients and strengthen the agency’s partner and marketplace ecosystems, including media planning, buying, and newer growth areas like Commerce, Performance, Content, Sports, and Influencer Marketing.
Praseed Prasad as President, Growth & Marketing, WPP Media South Asia, will anchor the overall new business agenda, expanding into new geographies, high-growth categories, emerging startups, SMBs, and mOutcome initiatives.
The WPP Media Leadership Council (WLC), formed alongside the ExCo, includes Ajay Mehta (Kinetic CEO), Atique Kazi, Ruchi Mathur, Shekhar Banerjee, Snehi Jha, Vinit Karnik, Manini Chakraborty, Namalie Herath, Murali T, Parveen Sheik, and Rohit Sule.
Together with the ExCo, the WLC will drive cohesion, capability development, and business delivery across the South Asia region.
The internal note also mentions that the agency is in the final stages of onboarding a Chief People Officer to embed a people-first culture anchored in learning, leadership, and growth.
This transformation, aligning with WPP’s global realignment, is designed to drive deeper integration of WPP’s media capabilities particularly its AI-enabled marketing operating system, WPP Open, with client businesses and marketing goals.
Overall, the restructuring aims to embed greater strategic cohesion, delivery excellence, and measurable outcomes across all operations.
