India
Omnicom has announced a sweeping leadership and agency restructuring for its India operations, positioning the network for a seamless shift into its new global model effective January 1, 2026. The move marks one of the most comprehensive reorganisations undertaken by the company in recent years.
New Leadership at the Helm
In the refreshed framework, Prasoon Joshi has been elevated to Chairman, Omnicom Advertising (OA) India, while Aditya Kanthy will now lead the organisation as President and Managing Director, OA India. Both leaders will work directly with Sean Donovan, President of Omnicom Advertising, Asia. Moreover, these changes were formally shared with the senior leadership team through an internal communication.
Strengthening Strategic Capabilities
Furthermore, S. Subramanyeswar (Subbu) has taken on a dual role as Chief Strategy Officer, OA India and Chief Knowledge Officer, OA Asia. His expanded mandate reflects Omnicom’s ambition to amplify its strategic excellence across the region and reinforce its thought-leadership capabilities.
Agency Leadership Alignments
As part of this transition, Omnicom has also finalised leadership for its major agency brands in India.
- McCann India will now be jointly led by Dheeraj Sinha and Rahul Mathew.
- Josy Paul will continue to steer BBDO India, with an updated second line of leadership set to be announced soon.
- TBWA\Lintas will operate under the combined leadership of Govind Pandey and Prateek Bhardwaj.
These changes aim to deliver sharper creative focus and smoother management across the agency ecosystem.
Consolidating the Digital Powerhouse
On the digital and experience side, Omnicom will unify Kinnect and 22feet Tribal into a single consolidated operation. Chandni Shah will serve as CEO of this merged entity, driving integrated digital innovation. Additionally, Rohan Mehta has been elevated to accelerate capability-building and strengthen digital collaboration across OA India.
Reporting Structure and Transition Roadmap
Under the new model, all agency CEOs — along with the wider OA India organisation — will report to Kanthy. Meanwhile, Joshi will guide overall strategic direction as Chairman. The organisation is currently developing operational blueprints aligned with the January 1, 2026 transition timeline, with individual agency heads expected to share detailed plans soon.
A Model Tailored for India’s Growth
In his message to employees, Donovan highlighted that India’s vast scale, dynamic market potential, and mature communications landscape justified a customised adaptation of Omnicom’s global structure. He emphasised that the new India model balances “continuity and change,” ensuring client relationships remain steady while opening up fresh opportunities for talent and innovation.
Global Structure Moving Forward
Globally, Omnicom Advertising will now operate through three primary networks — McCann, BBDO, and TBWA — each reinforced by the strong legacies of Lintas, Ulka, and Mudra. Donovan reassured teams that Omnicom’s India transformation has been co-developed with local leadership to guarantee a smooth transition and unlock “exciting new paths” for long-term growth.
As the January 1, 2026 implementation date approaches, the India leadership is expected to roll out more detailed updates, signaling a bold new chapter for Omnicom’s presence in one of the world’s most influential advertising markets.
