Big Moves: Publicis Groupe, Edelman

Publicis Groupe promotes Lalatendu Das to CEO-Publicis Media South Asia

Publicis Groupe South Asia has elevated Lalatendu Das (LD), the current CEO of Performics India, to the newly created role of CEO of Publicis Media South Asia. He will continue to report to Publicis Groupe South Asia CEO Anupriya Acharya, and will work closely with Jai Lala, CEO of Zenith India; Rathi Gangappa, CEO of Starcom India; Sejal Shah, MD of PMX India; and others.

Das joined Publicis Groupe India in early 2022 as CEO of Performics India. Since then, he has led the addition of key accounts, developed innovative products, and positioned Performics India as a leader in performance marketing and digital solutions.

Before joining Publicis Groupe South Asia, he spent nearly a decade at McKinsey as a partner and founding member of McKinsey Digital Labs in Asia Pacific. He co-led the McKinsey Digital/Technology practice, focusing on new digital business builds, customer journey transformations, and advanced analytics-led transformations. 

Das has also held major operational roles at Tata Consultancy Services for over a decade. He is an engineer and did his post-graduation in Business Management from IIM Ahmedabad, LD has 25 years of experience.

Anupriya Acharya, CEO of Publicis Groupe South Asia says, “LD is a remarkable leader with established credentials. He has led Performics India to great heights in the past three years. His extensive background in consulting, digital-led transformation, and large-scale operations across India and global markets made him uniquely qualified to drive significant value for our media clients. We are really excited to have him take on this new mandate.”

Das comments, “I am delighted to be leading Publicis Media South Asia at an exciting, pivotal, and transformative time.  It has scaled capabilities across strategy, insights and analytics, data and technology, and a strong and established portfolio of brands in its client roster. I look forward to keeping the growth momentum going, delivering industry-first offerings and tangible, exponential growth for clients. The canvas is vast, and the opportunities are huge.”  

In a separate development, Tanmay Mohanty, South Asia CEO of Publicis Media Services is moving on to pursue new opportunities. He was overseeing the media operations of Zenith India and Starcom India in addition to the Media Product & Solutions Portfolio. 

Anupriya Acharya mentions, “I would like to thank Tanmay for his contributions which have been invaluable. During his tenure with us, our media services and capabilities have not only scaled up tremendously with some of our biggest clients, but they have become the best offerings in the market. We wish him the very best in his future endeavours.”

Edelman appoints Rakesh Thukral as CEO for Asia Pacific

Edelman has reported that Rakesh Thukral will succeed Warren Fernandez as CEO of the firm’s operations in Asia Pacific (APAC). Fernandez will be stepping down from the role to pursue a new opportunity and will remain with the firm until the end of the year to ensure a smooth transition.  

Thukral has had a long career at Edelman, currently serving as APAC COO and managing director of India. He has driven growth by focusing on client relationships, talent development, and expanding the company's range of services.

Speaking on the development, Ed Williams, Edelman’s president for International, says, “I am grateful for everything that Warren has done for the firm, and for his leadership both regionally and globally. He has broadened and sharpened the firm’s capabilities in APAC, and his decades of experience in the news and media sector have been hugely important to many of our clients. We sincerely wish him all the best with his next move.

“The APAC region continues to present significant opportunities for Edelman and our clients, and therefore remains a key focus for us. Rakesh’s experience of partnering with global companies to enter the Indian market, and for Indian businesses to expand globally, will be invaluable to our clients across the whole region. He has a deep understanding of the business, political, and societal dynamics of the region, and I have confidence that under his leadership, our business will be well positioned”, continues Williams.

Fernandez shares, “I am grateful for having been part of the Edelman team and to have worked with some of the industry’s most talented and committed colleagues. A new opportunity has arisen which is hard to say no to; it is a role that plays to my long-standing interests in public policy, and where I will have the opportunity to engage on some of the significant political and geopolitical issues of the day.”

Thukral adds, “Over the past couple of years, under Warren’s and Ed’s leadership, Edelman has become known for its strong integrated offering and work in Asia. Our growing capabilities in this space have been recognised with Creative Effectiveness Lions at Cannes, and at PRovoke’s Global SABRE Awards earning the title of “#1 campaign in the World for two consecutive years. We have a strong team across the region and great client relationships across sectors and markets. I look forward to working with our teams and clients to continue elevating our work, and ensuring our clients receive solutions that help them evolve and grow their businesses in these complex times.”  

Thukral will report to Williams in his new role, and the appointment is effective immediately.