Hires & Promotions: GroupM, Ogilvy, Rediffusion, TCM Flooring

GroupM Appoints Parthasarathy Mandayam (Maps) as Chief Strategy Officer - GroupM South Asia and Amin Lakhani as Chief Executive Officer – Mindshare South Asia

GroupM has named Parthasarathy Mandayam (Maps) as the Chief Strategy Officer – GroupM South Asia and Amin Lakhani, who is elevated to the role of Chief Executive Officer – Mindshare South Asia, which was earlier led by Maps. 

Under the leadership of Maps and Amin, Mindshare saw a plethora of new business wins, with Oppo, Zomato, Ferrero, Meesho, Uniqlo, IAC, RedBus, Upstox, Polycab, Great Learning and Preethi, being just a few of those that became part of the family. Mindshare also retained key clients like HUL, The Walt Disney Company, Kellogg’s, Home Center, and Max Fashion in this period.

With more than 25 years of experience in the advertising & communication industry, Maps has successfully managed multiple leadership roles in Mindshare – across Data, Analytics, Strategy, Client Leadership and Business Unit leadership. Starting his career with Mindshare in 2009 as head of the newly created “Business Planning” function, he went on to lead the North, East, and South offices. Later as the Chief Product Officer, he led specialist teams in driving strategic initiatives and creating bespoke tools that delivered client delight & recognition. He helped create diverse communities and a culture of learning and sharing. He has also been integral to the Mindshare new business powerhouse over the past decade.

The role of GroupM Chief Strategy Officer will be to channel data, technology, consumer understanding to chart the growth and transformation agenda. Map’s appointment into the new role is part of the strategy that envisions doubling the focus with a significant shift on new-age technologies, products and offerings that require a transformation of both GroupM and client businesses. He will report to Prasanth Kumar, CEO GroupM South Asia.

Parthasarathy Mandayam, Chief Strategy Officer South Asia GroupM said, “I am extremely grateful to have such an amazing journey at GroupM. I think learning and change have always been a part of my career here. Furthermore, as our offerings become more specialised, we need to ensure synergy and seamless flow of expertise between the various players both internal, WPP and external to get the full benefits of both scale and specialisation. As I steer through this journey I will continue to push forward with the growth and transformation agenda to bring in significant synergies between new-age data, technology, consulting, products and offerings for our clients and internal stakeholders.”

Amin Lakhani Chief Executive Officer South Asia Mindshare said, “We want to build on this existing momentum and drive Mindshare ‘Good Growth’ for our clients. New age data, technology, creativity, research, consulting, and products will play a major role in this journey. Our industry has always witnessed change. We’ve been at the centre of it and currently, the world is also witnessing this. Hence as marketers, we need to take charge and lead this journey for our clients and brands. I am excited for this next phase of my journey, and I would like to thank the team for believing in me.”

Amin has more than 20 years of experience in various roles in Mindshare and GroupM. In his previous role as Chief Operating Officer- Mindshare South Asia, he has been instrumental in driving the best practices and strengthening key client relationships. Earlier in his career as the leader for Mindshare Fulcrum South Asia, he successfully led the integration of the digital business of Unilever in India, leading the team to the most coveted win of a Grand Prix at Cannes. He has extensive cross-functional experience in Media, Marketing- Product Management, leading large teams and has worked with various clients like Pepsi, GSK, ICICI, Castrol, HSBC, BYJU’s, Muthoot, Kellogg’s amongst others.  He plays an active role in industry bodies like BARC and AAAI. Amin will report to Prasanth Kumar, CEO GroupM South Asia and Helen McRae, CEO Mindshare Asia Pacific.

Mindshare has left no award frontier unconquered under Maps and Amin with wins across prestigious global forums like Cannes, FOMA, FOMG, ICOM, MMA Smarties & Campaign as well as local platforms like Emvies, Goafest, IDMA, ICMA & Maddies.

Helen McRae Chief Executive Officer Asia Pacific Mindshare said, “Both Maps and Amin are distinguished leaders who have brought energy, skill and leadership, to the Mindshare Group over the past few years in office. They have both led the agency with their invaluable expertise bringing immense value for our clients and internal teams. Mindshare’s achievements and client success journeys over the last few years narrate the business acumen of both Maps and Amin. I congratulate them both and wish them the very best for their new roles!”

Prasanth Kumar, Chief Executive Officer South Asia GroupM said, “We have witnessed a significant consolidation of existing businesses, with deeper penetration of our new core offerings under their tutelage. Both have been instrumental in strengthening and reinvigorating the agency as it stands today. I have the utmost confidence in their expertise and know that both Maps and Amin will continue to drive innovation and further transformations in their future roles. I wish them the very best!”

Both Maps and Amin have also helped m/SIX, Neo India, and Neo GDS grow significantly and become significant players within the industry.

Puneet Kapoor to join Ogilvy India (South) as CCO, Kiran Anthony & Mahesh Gharat move on

Kiran and Mahesh need no introduction. Ogilvy and the entire advertising industry know them as super-talented individuals with big hearts. This is why it is difficult to watch them leave the Ogilvy family.    

Kainaz Karmakar, Harshad Rajadhyaksha & Sukesh Nayak, Chief Creative Officers, Ogilvy India: “Kiran Anthony and Mahesh Gharat have led some of the most memorable campaigns this industry has seen. They have won critical pitches, built terrific teams, and put Ogilvy on the world stage more than once.  They were always helpful, always putting their people first. Always there for Ogilvy.  Having contributed a great deal to Ogilvy, they now want to go after their dream of becoming film directors. This means we still get to keep them close, just in a different role.”  

Piyush Pandey, Chairman Global Creative & Executive Chairman India, Ogilvy: “I salute and thank Mahesh Gharat and Kiran Anthony for their stellar contribution to Ogilvy for a very long time.  It’s never easy to see your bright stars leave. However, when they step out to actualise their dreams, you can only cheerlead and wish them fulfilment in what they have chosen as their next journey and destination.” 

Mahesh will be moving into full-time direction and Kiran will continue to lead Vi in a consultant’s role while he also pursues directing.    

The new creative leadership of Ogilvy in Bengaluru, and across South markets, will be taken up by Puneet Kapoor.    

Puneet comes to Ogilvy from Lowe Bengaluru. His advertising career spans 24 years across Lowe, Ogilvy, McCann, BBH and as a founder of Eleven Brandworks. His most celebrated recent work includes campaigns for Unacademy, Swiggy, Fastrack, Titan, Myntra, Udaan, Xiaomi, Redbus, Flipkart, Cleartrip, Britannia, ITC Foods and TVS.  

Puneet will join Ogilvy in March 2022 and will work with Ogilvy India's Chief Creative Officers and the President of Ogilvy India (South), continuing to do stellar work for Ogilvy's clients across Bengaluru and Chennai.  

Kaevan Umrigar joins Rediffusion as Executive Creative Director

Rediffusion has appointed Kaevan Umrigar as Executive Creative Director. He will be working out of the Mumbai office.

In a career spanning more than two decades, Umrigar has been both a writer and a filmmaker, and has worked with advertising agencies like Contract, Everest and Dentsu Aegis on brands such as Cadbury, Hidesign, IFB, BPL, Business Standard,
Indian Navy and Fair & Lovely. His campaign for the launch of Cadbury Milk Treat won the inaugural Grand Effie in 2001, and his work has also been featured in Lurzer’s International Archive.

Umrigar’s documentaries on the Parsi community have been showcased at various international film festivals and won a National Award. A local history buff, he has also co-authored a book and several articles on Mumbai's history and heritage.

“Kaevan is a multi-faceted personality with interests that go beyond just advertising. He is fun to work with. Has a wry sense of humour. And that reflects in his work which most times has a sense of effervescence, joy and well-being that is not easy to describe,” says Kalyani Srivastava, Executive Vice-President and Head of Rediffusion, Mumbai.

Pramod Sharma, Rediffusion’s creative head of Mumbai, says, “Kaevan brings varied experience and exposure to our Mumbai creative team. He is a perfect team player with deep reservoirs of patience. I am looking forward to working with him.”

On joining Rediffusion, Umrigar said, “There is a wide variety of clients at Rediffusion. While stationed in Mumbai, I have already started getting involved with clients, even from other offices. There is a huge surge towards creative excellence at Rediffusion, and I am sure I will be part of many amazing creatives in the weeks to come.”

TCM Names Shyam Bhatter as New CEO

TCM Flooring has appointed Shyam Bhatter as the CEO of TCM Corporation Flooring Division. Assuming his leadership role from January 1st, Bhatter succeeds outgoing CEO Mark Johnson who retired at the end of December 2021.  

From humble beginnings in Bangkok’s Don Muang District during 1967, TCM Corporation Plc. has grown to become one of the largest exporters of carpets and rugs in the world. With a portfolio of companies organised under the branches TCM Flooring, TCM Automotive and TCM Living, Bhatter expertise will be utilised in leading sister carpet companies Royal Thai and Carpets Inter.

“We are confident that with his wealth of business knowledge and floor covering industry experience, Bhatter will build on our solid foundations to lead our teams with a new global vision and strategy for accelerated sustainable growth across our flooring division,” states Piyaporn Phanachet, CEO and Board of Directors member for TCM Corporation.

With career highlights like a Bachelors of Commerce from University of Rajasthan, MBA from Emory University and leadership roles at Manmohan Group, Jaipur Rugs, Tai Ping and now Royal Thai, Bhatter brings over three decades of pointed experience in the flooring industry, specifically in regards to carpet manufacturing. 

On his approach to leadership, Bhatter explains, “Cultivating a business culture that supports both individual growth and deep commitment to corporate objectives enables employees and the organisation to thrive. I build strong teams by leading with empathy and enthusiasm, celebrating team wins to promote ownership for business results.”