Ogilvy India has announced a leadership transition that will take effect from January 1, 2024. As per the company, the transition will involve a variety of senior Ogilvy India veterans taking the next steps in their long tenure with the agency.
Talking about the appointment, Devika Seth Bulchandani, Global Chief Executive Officer, Ogilvy, said, “Piyush has done what true legends do. Nurtured and groomed a class of leaders who can assume the day to day running of the Ogilvy machine which will give him time to focus simply on the magic he has been so legendary in creating for our clients. Together I trust the new leadership to take this iconic agency to new heights.”
As the Chief Advisor, Piyush Pandey, currently Chairman Global Creative and Executive Chairman of Ogilvy India, will work closely with the leadership team to ensure the Ogilvy legacy’s impact and richness transcends all Ogilvy functions and levels in India.
Moreover, Pandey will continue to work closely with major clients and the agency’s executive team in this role to ensure that Ogilvy India maintains its important leadership role in India. Along with the leadership team, he will be involved with key Ogilvy clients, new business prospects and the creative product of the agency.
“Creativity and its impact on our client’s businesses is at the heart of Ogilvy. In keeping with my passion, I will continue to partner and guide the new leadership as always. Our joint purpose is to ensure that we not only maintain but also better our core strengths,” Piyush Pandey, Chairman Global creative and Executive Chairman, Ogilvy India, added.
SN Rane, Group Executive Co-chairman India and COO, South Asia, will work as business advisor to Ogilvy Asia Pacific. In his new role, Rane will work closely with Ogilvy Asia Pacific to ensure that Ogilvy India has a smooth transition under the new management and to advise on various business operations and planning issues.
Additionally, Hephzibah Pathak will take on the role of Executive Chairperson of Ogilvy India. She will be Ogilvy India’s first ever woman in this role. In this role, Pathak will lead and drive the strategic direction, growth and transformation agenda of the company.
Furthermore, VR Rajesh will move from his current role as Group President of Ogilvy India to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the agency. Rajesh has led the charge in building and growing Ogilvy’s capabilities in modern marketing. In his role, he will partner Pathak in further accelerating the transformation agenda of the company. He will also be responsible for running the operations of the agency across offices in India and all its business units.
Rajesh will work closely with Hufrish Birdy, who will continue in her current role as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), on various financial, commercial and compliance issues for Ogilvy India.
Further, Ogilvy India’s leadership transition will also involve new appointments to the Ogilvy board. Joining the Ogilvy India board will be the agency’s three Chief Creative Officers (CCO’s) – Harshad Rajadhyaksha, Kainaz Karmakar and Sukesh Nayak. In addition to this, the agency’s Chief Strategy Officer (CSO), Prem Narayan also joins the board.
