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Tag: advertising leadership

  • Cheil X ropes in Ankit Singh as national strategy chief to sharpen its creative edge

    Cheil X ropes in Ankit Singh as national strategy chief to sharpen its creative edge

    MUMBAI: In a calculated move to tighten its grip on the brand strategy reins, Cheil X has appointed Ankit Singh as its national strategy director. This appointment is the latest in a series of leadership upgrades as the agency revs up its transformation into a full-funnel powerhouse.

    Singh, a marketing veteran with over a decade of brand-building know-how, will report to Cheil X CEO Jitender Dabas. He takes on the ambitious task of steering strategic operations across all Cheil X companies in India, bringing with him a reputation for scaling businesses and unlocking creative muscle at past stints with Leo Burnett, BBH Delhi, and most recently, Hilton south Asia.

    At Hilton, Singh served as director – brand marketing for south Asia, where he played a pivotal role in firming up its brand presence across the region. Prior to that, he helped drive Leo Burnett Delhi into a strategy-led creative force, and oversaw the BBH Delhi expansion with cultural fluency and sharp insight. His strategic fingerprints can be found on campaigns for Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Reckitt, Uber, Tinder, Apple, Niva Bupa, and Unilever, among others.

    Cheil X’s latest talent coup is part of a broader vision to evolve from a traditional ad agency into a future-ready, connected experience firm. With an integrated model that straddles content, commerce, and brand experience, the agency is banking on Singh’s cultural intelligence and digital-first approach to fuel its next phase.

    “I’ve always believed that a strong strategic core doesn’t just solve business problems for brands — it shapes the agency’s ability to stay ahead of change. Ankit brings his expertise of partnering with big global and Indian brands and an astute understanding of what marketing and brands need today. We are building a winning team — and Ankit will be a key player in that formation”, said Dabas.

    A recognised industry thinker, Singh has been featured in WARC, CNBC, and Afaqs, and decorated with honours including the Effies, Cannes Lions, the Warc Prize for Asian Strategy, and Impact’s 30 Under 30.

    Speaking on his new role, Singh said, “Data and technology are reshaping how brands connect with people, and Cheil has long been at the forefront of this shift — creating connected experiences across the consumer journey. I’ve always been drawn to building new things, so when Jeetu shared his bold vision for Cheil X, it felt like the perfect moment and the right place to build a future‑ready agency that delivers impact at scale”.

    The appointment aligns with Cheil X’s broader mission of assembling a modern team of strategists, technologists, creatives, and experience designers to reimagine brand-building in an increasingly connected world. 

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  • Sambit Mohanty to head McCann Bangalore as EVP in expanded creative-business role

    Sambit Mohanty to head McCann Bangalore as EVP in expanded creative-business role

    MUMBAI: McCann Worldgroup India has handed Sambit Mohanty the reins of its Bangalore operations in a dual capacity as EVP & creative head, effective June. The appointment reflects the agency’s continued focus on nurturing internal talent and doubling down on integrated leadership in high-growth regional hubs.

    Mohanty, a seasoned adman with over 20 years of experience, will now oversee both creative output and business operations for the southern office. He succeeds Vishal Ahluwalia, who is set to exit McCann India by the end of June.

    This elevation also signals McCann’s intent to rewire its talent pipeline and break conventional silos, as confirmed by the group’s national creative chief Prasoon Joshi. “I am excited to see talent grow from within, and in ways that break the conventional mould. We continue to leverage the expertise and creativity of our people at MWG India to deliver exceptional value to our clients”, Joshi stated.

    Based out of Bangalore, Mohanty will report to McCann India’s national leadership team. His remit includes growing business impact, strengthening client partnerships, and building a sharper creative proposition across sectors.

    “It’s tremendously exciting to be stepping into this expanded leadership role”, Mohanty said. “I look forward to pairing my creative lens with a sharper business focus and driving impactful ideas, fostering innovation and creating meaningful value for both our clients and our people”.

    Mohanty is widely respected across the Indian advertising industry for his narrative sensibility and brand-building craft. His promotion also marks a strategic moment for McCann Bangalore as the agency looks to amplify its south India presence and service agility.

    McCann India has extended its best wishes to outgoing executive Vishal Ahluwalia, acknowledging his contribution to the firm’s southern growth journey.