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Tag: Jyoti Mahendru

  • Advertising veteran and HR leader pivot to new roles At McCann

    Advertising veteran and HR leader pivot to new roles At McCann

    MUMBAI: Kamal Basu, former CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi India, is embarking on a fresh chapter after a series of high-profile marketing positions in the automotive sector. Meanwhile, Jyoti Mahendru is “coming home” to McCann Worldgroup India as chief talent officer and national communications officer after a stint at VML.

    Basu, who cut his teeth at marquee advertising agencies including Young & Rubicam and Ogilvy before becoming one of the youngest CEOs at Saatchi & Saatchi India in 2008, later headed marketing for Volkswagen Group in India and Nissan India. His tenure at Saatchi & Saatchi saw the agency break into India’s top 10, overseeing launches for brands like Olay, Pampers and the creation of what he calls “the iconic brand OLX India”.

    Since 2021, Basu has been working as a business consultant focusing on brand development projects and serving as a board member for “a leading finance company”. His career trajectory represents the classic adman’s evolution—from agency creative to corporate marketer to independent consultant.

    Mahendru, who describes herself as a “DE&I champion” and “certified mental health ally”, returns to familiar territory at McCann after serving as chief people officer at VML. She previously spent four years at McCann as executive vice president of human resources before her departure in July 2022.

    Her CV boasts an impressive mix of HR leadership roles across diverse sectors—from Bharti Wal-Mart and Star TV Network to the refreshingly frank “sabbatical” period from 2012 to 2017, which she describes simply as “focusing on self & family”.

    The appointments underscore the ongoing talent shuffle in India’s advertising landscape, where agency veterans continue to find new homes even as the industry grapples with transformation.

  • Wunderman Thompson India onboards Jyoti Mahendru as chief people officer

    Wunderman Thompson India onboards Jyoti Mahendru as chief people officer

    MUMBAI: Wunderman Thompson India has announced the appointment of Jyoti Mahendru as its new chief people officer, effective 1 August 2022. Mahendru will be responsible for talent development & talent acquisition strategies across the organisation and its group companies while growing and enhancing the agency’s DEI, talent management and development initiatives. She will report directly to Wunderman Thompson South Asia CEO Shams Jasani.

    Mahendru is a seasoned professional who has spent over two decades in the industry guiding organisations through growth and transformation. She has held leadership positions across diverse industries, such as media, retail & advertising. She joins Wunderman Thompson from McCann Worldgroup India where she served as the executive vice president of human resources.

    Wunderman Thompson South Asia CEO Shams Jasani said on the appointment, “People are our strongest asset and Jyoti’s appointment comes at a time when we are keenly looking at bolstering our efforts to create an environment that fosters learning, growth and development. With her varied exposure, expertise and experience, Jyoti will help us build high performance teams that is integral to our next phase of growth, while helping us streamline processes and shape practices that will enable every employee to accelerate growth, unlock their potential and have a fulfilling career.”

    On taking up her new role at Wunderman Thompson, India, Jyoti Mahendru, commented, “Wunderman Thompson India is on an incredible journey to inspire growth for businesses and talent. It is an honour and a privilege to be a part of a legacy agency that has set its vision on being people first that recognises and rewards talent, with a strong focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. As the new chief people officer, I am looking to drive change that not only creates an agile future-ready organisation, but also, increases a sense of employee belonging and fosters the next generation of leaders.”