Introduction

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the advertising and marketing landscape, changing how brands understand consumers, develop creative ideas, personalise communication, and measure impact. As AI moves from an emerging technology to an increasingly integrated part of agency operations, leadership is becoming central to navigating this transformation responsibly and effectively. The AI 100: Agency Leaders Redefining Brands with AI recognises senior professionals across India’s advertising, media, digital, creative, communications, and marketing ecosystem who are contributing to this evolving landscape through strategy, innovation, digital transformation, and brand leadership. From creative and media strategy to data, social, technology, and integrated communications, these leaders represent the diverse expertise shaping the next chapter of brand building.

Manvi Shah- Mindshare | WPP Media

Manvi Shah brings a client-leadership perspective to Mindshare, working at the intersection of brand requirements, media strategy and agency execution. Her role reflects the growing importance of integrating technology and data into client solutions. As AI reshapes marketing workflows, leaders in client leadership are increasingly connecting emerging capabilities with business and brand objectives.

Hemant Kshirsagar — Dentsu India 

Hemant Kshirsagar brings more than 18 years of experience spanning fintech, digital transformation, management consulting and financial services. At dentsu India, he leads the Financial Services and Technology business, with a focus on technology- and data-led customer growth and transformation. His experience positions him at the intersection of technology, customer experience and modern brand strategy.

Prashant Shukla — Techmagnate

With more than 15 years in digital marketing, Prashant Shukla leads client-success strategy across a portfolio of businesses at Techmagnate. His professional focus spans growth marketing, performance marketing, content strategy, social media and digital marketing. His work reflects the increasingly integrated role of data, technology and digital intelligence in building measurable brand growth.

Gaurang Menon — Hashtag Orange

Gaurang Menon combines creative leadership with business growth at Hashtag Orange, where he oversees the agency’s Western operations. His recent leadership mandate has included strengthening integrated capabilities across strategy, creative, production, media and performance marketing. His work demonstrates how creative agencies are increasingly blending ideas, technology and measurable business outcomes.

Arif Khan — Cheil India 

Arif Khan operates within Cheil India’s integrated agency environment, where brand communication increasingly intersects with technology, digital experiences and data-led marketing. In a General Manager role, his responsibilities place him close to client, business and agency priorities. His profile represents the evolving agency leadership required to translate emerging technologies into practical brand solutions.

Rajesh Patalia — AGENCY09

Rajesh Patalia brings a strategy-led approach to digital brand building through his leadership at AGENCY09. His published work has explored consumer insights, innovation, e-commerce and data-driven marketing decisions, reflecting a broader interest in connecting business strategy with changing consumer behaviour. At AGENCY09, his role contributes to an ecosystem spanning content, technology, design, data and digital marketing.

Ankit Shastri — GOZOOP Group

With more than 16 years of experience, Ankit Shastri specialises in integrated marketing and brand communications. At GOZOOP Group, he works within an agency environment where brands increasingly combine creative storytelling with technology-led communication. His experience reflects the shift towards integrated brand strategies that bring together creativity, digital platforms and emerging technologies.

Sanil Jadhav — LS Digital Group

Sanil Jadhav brings a strong media and digital marketing background to LS Digital Group, with his LinkedIn profile highlighting 14 years of experience, more than ₹1,000 crore in media exposure and work across 100+ major Indian brands. His experience spans the evolution of digital media and performance-led brand building. As AI transforms media planning and optimisation, his role sits within a rapidly technology-driven marketing ecosystem.

Ramanpreet Chopra —  #ARM Worldwide

Ramanpreet Chopra has more than 12 years of experience across digital media and performance marketing. At #ARM Worldwide, his work spans digital strategy, advertising, lead generation, search and performance marketing, with a strong focus on data-driven campaign execution. His profile reflects the growing role of technology and analytics in building and optimising modern brand campaigns.

Divya Keswani — Mindshare |WPP Media

Divya Keswani is an insight-driven marketing professional with experience across media planning and brand marketing. At Mindshare, her work reflects the importance of combining consumer understanding, media intelligence and strategic execution. Her exposure to digital marketing and certified media-buying and planning capabilities highlights the increasingly data-led environment in which brands operate.

Rohit Eric D’Souza — Mindshare Fulcrum | WPP Media

Rohit Eric D’Souza brings around 16 years of experience in media planning and buying to his leadership role at Mindshare. His current mandate across client investments, marketplaces and partnerships reflects the growing convergence of media, commerce and technology. His experience represents the shift towards more integrated approaches to brand investment and digital growth.

Reshmy Warrier — WPP Media 

Reshmy Warrier works within WPP Media in a business planning and operations leadership capacity. Her role sits at the intersection of agency planning, operational execution and business priorities, areas increasingly influenced by automation, data and AI-enabled decision-making. Her profile represents the operational leadership required to support technology-led transformation across modern media organisations.

Ameya Joshi — Publicis Groupe

Ameya Joshi is part of the senior leadership ecosystem at Publicis Groupe, working within an organisation spanning creative, media, technology and communications. His professional presence includes engagement with developments across Publicis agencies and their brand work. His role reflects the broader transformation of agency leadership as technology and data become increasingly embedded in brand-building processes.

Ajay Kumar — Publicis Groupe

Ajay Kumar brings extensive digital marketing experience to his role as Associate Vice President at Publicis Groupe. His career includes work across digital marketing and consulting, with his current role involving leadership across a diverse client portfolio. This combination of digital expertise and client leadership places him within the evolving technology-led marketing ecosystem.

Pushpendra Singh Yadav — Publicis Global Delivery | Publicis Groupe

With more than 15 years of digital media operations experience, Pushpendra Singh Yadav works at Publicis Global Delivery, supporting the global media operations ecosystem. His professional expertise spans digital media, reporting, performance marketing, analytics and project management. His role highlights how technology, data and operational scale are becoming central to modern media delivery.

Vaishali Mange — Ogilvy India | WPP

Vaishali Mange brings a dedicated creative-technology perspective to Ogilvy India as Vice President – Creative Tech. Her LinkedIn profile identifies her as an innovative creative-tech professional with experience across technology, while campaign credits place her within Ogilvy’s creative technology teams. Her involvement in campaigns such as Cadbury 5 Star’s AI-focused work demonstrates the increasingly direct role of technology in contemporary brand creativity.

Vedant Saxena — Ogilvy India | WPP

Vedant Saxena works at the intersection of technology, innovation and advertising through his leadership role at Ogilvy India. His positioning within the technology and innovation function reflects the agency industry’s broader movement towards integrating emerging technologies with creative and brand experiences. His role is particularly relevant to the evolving relationship between AI, innovation and advertising.

Priyank Vaghela — Ogilvy India | WPP

Priyank Vaghela holds a senior leadership position at Ogilvy India, contributing to an agency environment where creative strategy increasingly intersects with technology and data. His role as Executive Vice President places him within the leadership layer responsible for translating evolving market and client requirements into integrated brand solutions. His profile reflects the changing responsibilities of senior agency leadership in the digital era.

Kunal Sawant — WPP Media | WPP

Kunal Sawant leads partnerships and strategy at WPP Media, bringing together strategic thinking and ecosystem relationships in a rapidly changing media environment. His role reflects the increasing importance of partnerships in accessing technology, platforms, data and new capabilities. As AI reshapes marketing, such strategic alliances are becoming an important part of how agencies deliver value to brands.

Vikram Kari — WPP Media | WPP

Vikram Kari leads product responsibilities for WPP Influence, bringing a product-oriented perspective to the evolving creator and influence marketing ecosystem. His role reflects the growing intersection of technology, data, creators and brand communication. As AI increasingly supports discovery, analysis and campaign optimisation, product-led approaches are becoming an important part of modern influence marketing.

Arbind Dash — WPP Media | WPP

Arbind Dash has stepped into the role of Group Head – Client Engagement at The Goat Agency, part of WPP Media. His experience spans talent partnerships, influencer marketing and digital-led brand engagement, bringing a relationship-focused approach to the agency ecosystem. His current mandate reflects the growing convergence of creators, technology and data in building meaningful brand partnerships.

Shashidhar Narasimhamurthy — VML & Contract Advertising | WPP

Shashidhar Narasimhamurthy is a senior agency professional at VML, working across brand communication and integrated marketing. His LinkedIn activity reflects involvement with VML India campaigns and client work, including recent work for Saint-Gobain India. His experience represents the evolving role of agency leaders in connecting creative ideas with technology-enabled brand storytelling.

Pinaki Bhattacharya — VML | WPP

Pinaki Bhattacharya brings a strategy-led perspective to VML, where his role focuses on shaping brand and business direction. As Chief Strategy Officer, he operates at the intersection of consumer insight, creative thinking and business transformation. His leadership reflects the increasing importance of strategic frameworks as agencies incorporate AI, data and emerging technologies into brand building.

Jyotsna Sharma — GroupM | WPP

Jyotsna Sharma brings more than two decades of experience in digital marketing, with expertise spanning SEM, SEO and media. At GroupM, her work sits within a media ecosystem increasingly driven by data, automation and technology. Her experience reflects the evolution of digital media from performance channels into an increasingly intelligent and integrated component of brand strategy.

Raghavan Giriraj – WPP Enterprise Solutions | WPP

Raghavan Giriraj combines operations, strategy and technology-led transformation in his leadership role at WPP Enterprise Solutions. His background includes telecommunications engineering and agile methodologies, alongside senior responsibilities within WPP’s enterprise ecosystem. This technology-oriented experience positions him within the operational transformation taking place as enterprises adopt AI and digital solutions.

Jayshree D. — WPP Enterprise Solutions | WPP

Jayshree D. works as a Program Director at WPP Enterprise Solutions, contributing to the execution of complex enterprise initiatives. Her role reflects the growing importance of structured programme leadership as agencies and enterprises integrate technology into marketing and business operations. She represents the operational layer that helps translate transformation strategies into scalable execution.

Aijaz Nakhuda — VML | WPP

Aijaz Nakhuda brings more than 15 years of marketing and business leadership experience to VML, with a focus on digital growth and brand transformation. His career includes work across digital innovation, social campaigns and integrated brand experiences, including recognised projects for Satyamev Jayate and Dance+. His profile reflects how technology-led experiences can extend brands beyond conventional communication formats.

Murtuza Kantawala — WPP Enterprise Solutions | WPP

Murtuza Kantawala is a digital transformation and customer-experience leader with more than 23 years of professional experience. His background spans digital transformation, CX and technology-led initiatives, bringing a systems-oriented approach to project leadership. His profile reflects the growing convergence of technology, customer experience and brand transformation within the modern agency ecosystem.

Sunny Reddy — VML | WPP

Sunny Reddy specialises in digital reputation and online reputation management, with more than a decade of experience in the field. His work focuses on how brands manage visibility, conversations and perception across digital platforms. As AI increasingly influences social listening, content analysis and reputation monitoring, his domain represents an important component of technology-enabled brand management.

Varun Kohli — Grey India | WPP

Varun Kohli brings extensive creative and marketing experience to his leadership role at Grey. His LinkedIn profile describes him as a creative marketing professional focused on developing solutions for brands, while his career includes significant experience across leading advertising agencies. His perspective represents the continuing evolution of creative leadership as agencies combine human ideas with technology and data.

Pankaj Ramteke — WPP Media | WPP

Pankaj Ramteke works in client services at WPP Media, supporting the relationship between brands and the agency’s media ecosystem. His role involves translating client requirements into strategic media and marketing solutions. As AI changes media planning, optimisation and audience intelligence, client-service leaders are increasingly positioned as bridges between technology and business objectives.

Madhurika Banerjee — WPP Production | WPP

Madhurika Banerjee holds a senior regional leadership role at WPP Production, working within the production side of the advertising ecosystem. Her position reflects the increasing scale and complexity of content production required by brands across multiple digital platforms. As generative AI and automation reshape production workflows, production leadership is becoming increasingly important to modern brand communication.

Ishita Hora — ^atom network 

Ishita Hora brings nearly 15 years of advertising experience to her role as Senior Vice President at ^atom network. Her LinkedIn announcement highlights her focus on ideas, brand building and solving business problems, alongside a renewed connection with pure advertising. Her leadership reflects the continued importance of human creativity even as AI becomes increasingly embedded in the advertising process.

Richa Chugh — WPP Media | WPP

Richa Chugh brings extensive experience across digital marketing, client servicing and media strategy to her role as Client Partner at WPP Media. Her career includes leadership roles across organisations such as Digitas India, GroupM, INNOCEAN and Interactive Avenues. Her experience across brand and product marketing reflects the growing need for integrated, data-informed client leadership in a technology-driven media landscape.

Kaushik Sarkar — Wavemaker India | WPP

Kaushik Sarkar works at Wavemaker India, where his profile identifies him as a Client Lead – Digital for Reckitt India. His experience is rooted in digital media and client leadership, supported by professional certifications in Google Ads and Google Analytics. His role reflects how digital intelligence, performance measurement and technology increasingly shape brand-media strategies.

Rakshitha Naidu — Wavemaker | WPP

Rakshitha Naidu brings client and business leadership experience to Wavemaker, with her LinkedIn activity reflecting involvement in award-recognised media campaigns. Her professional ecosystem includes work around major brand initiatives and global media recognition, including Festival of Media and Cannes Lions-related activity. Her role highlights the intersection of strategic media planning, creativity and measurable brand impact.

Ayush Doshi — Wavemaker | WPP

Ayush Doshi works in business leadership at Wavemaker, with his professional activity reflecting involvement in major brand campaigns and integrated media initiatives. His LinkedIn activity includes work around Colgate-Palmolive’s Oral Health Movement, which received international recognition. His role illustrates the growing importance of strategic media leadership in developing campaigns that combine cultural relevance, technology and measurable impact.

Gurjot Shah Singh — EssenceMediacom India | WPP

Gurjot Shah Singh is part of the senior leadership at EssenceMediacom India, with a career focused on media, digital strategy and brand growth. His public work includes involvement with the agency’s long-term partnership with adidas and regional initiatives spanning multiple markets. His perspective reflects the importance of combining global practices, local insights and technology-enabled media strategies.

Akshay Sharma — EssenceMediacom India | WPP

Akshay Sharma is a digital media professional with more than a decade of experience in strategy and planning. At EssenceMediacom India, his client-services role connects media strategy with brand and business requirements. His digital-first background places him within an industry increasingly shaped by data, automation, audience intelligence and AI-enabled media optimisation.

Soumyabrata Banerjee — Ogilvy India | WPP

Soumyabrata Banerjee is part of Ogilvy’s senior leadership in Gurugram, bringing experience in advertising, media planning and brand campaigns. His LinkedIn activity reflects involvement in campaigns across prominent consumer brands, including Mother Dairy. His role represents the continuing evolution of agency leadership as creative storytelling increasingly works alongside technology and data.

Kriti Pant — Leo Burnett | Publicis Groupe

Kriti Pant is a senior advertising professional at Leo Burnett, bringing strategic and creative experience to brand communication. Her recent LinkedIn activity includes reflections from Cannes Lions 2026 and the work behind award-winning advertising, highlighting the broader creative ecosystem in which agencies operate. Her profile represents the role of human insight and creative thinking as AI becomes increasingly integrated into advertising.

Sarina Barretto — Leo Burnett | Publicis Groupe

Sarina Barretto brings extensive advertising and client-partnership experience to her Vice President role at Leo Burnett. Her professional journey includes experience in agency-client relationships and integrated brand communication, supported by management education from IIM Calcutta. Her leadership reflects the evolving role of agency professionals as brands increasingly combine creative thinking with data, technology and AI-enabled capabilities.

Krati Jain — Leo Burnett | Publicis Groupe

Krati Jain brings a digital and brand-strategy background to her role as Brand Service Director at Leo Burnett. Her earlier experience spans account management, brand management, social content and digital strategy, giving her a cross-functional view of modern brand communication. Her trajectory reflects how agencies are increasingly connecting brand services with digital platforms, consumer insights and emerging technologies.

Saurabh Aggarwal — Digitas India | Publicis Groupe

Saurabh Aggarwal is a senior business and client leader at Digitas India, with a professional focus on building businesses and teams. His experience combines commercial thinking with agency leadership, placing him within Digitas’ digital-first marketing environment. As AI changes customer engagement and marketing operations, his role reflects the growing need to connect technology-led capabilities with business outcomes.

Mohammedullah Shaikh — Digitas India | Publicis Groupe

Mohammedullah Shaikh leads technology services at Digitas India, bringing a technology and transformation lens to modern marketing. His profile highlights leadership of large multidisciplinary teams, while his certifications include advanced prompt engineering. His role directly reflects the increasing integration of technology, AI skills and digital transformation into contemporary brand and customer-experience ecosystems.

Siddharth Sethumadhavan — Digitas India | Publicis Groupe

Siddharth Sethumadhavan combines business leadership with extensive experience in digital marketing and brand building. His career has included work at the intersection of digital, sport and consumer engagement, while his current role places him at the helm of Digitas India’s West business. His profile represents the evolution of agency leadership towards integrated, digital-first and technology-enabled brand solutions.

Manu Vaish — Publicis Sapient | Publicis Groupe

Manu Vaish brings more than 25 years of experience to his Senior Vice President role at Publicis Sapient, working across technology, marketing and business transformation. His professional background combines technology and marketing expertise, while his published work has examined the changing role of technology in marketing. His experience places him at the intersection of digital transformation and the increasingly intelligent marketing ecosystem.

Ratheesh MS — Starcom | Publicis Groupe

Ratheesh MS brings more than two decades of experience across research and media, combining strategic thinking with client and brand leadership. His recent work explores AI-powered discovery, GEO, trust and the changing relationship between consumers and brands, while his profile also reflects active participation in industry award judging. His perspective captures how AI is changing the way brands approach discovery, media and consumer engagement.

Roshan Salian — Performics India | Publicis Groupe

Roshan Salian is an Associate Vice President and Head of the Insurance Vertical at Performics India. His experience spans performance marketing and digital media, supported by certifications including Google’s Digital Guru programme and Digital Insider Programme. His work reflects the increasingly data-driven approach to performance marketing, where analytics, automation and AI are reshaping how brands reach and convert audiences.

Shashank Singh — Performics India | Publicis Groupe

Shashank Singh leads the insurance vertical as Senior Director at Performics India. His role sits within a performance-marketing environment where data, digital platforms and audience intelligence are central to campaign planning and optimisation. His leadership represents the specialised client and industry expertise increasingly required as technology transforms performance-led brand communication.

Ranji Cherian — Omnicom Advertising | Omnicom

Ranji Cherian brings more than three decades of experience in creativity and problem-solving to his role in client excellence. His career includes senior agency experience and work on brand communication, with his professional recommendations highlighting strategic thinking and client partnership. His long-term perspective provides a useful bridge between traditional advertising craft and the technology-led transformation now reshaping the industry.

Benny Thomas —TBWA\India | Omnicom

Benny Thomas brings more than 15 years of experience working across a portfolio of leading brands at TBWA\India. His professional interests include design thinking, co-design and the alignment of teams around business challenges, while his profile also reflects exposure to AI-generated advertising work. His approach highlights the intersection of strategic collaboration, creativity and emerging technologies in modern brand building.

Arpit Gupta — Omnicom Media Group

Arpit Gupta operates within OMD’s media and marketing ecosystem as Vice President. His role places him within an environment where media planning, audience intelligence, digital platforms and technology increasingly shape brand strategy. As AI continues to influence media optimisation and consumer targeting, his position reflects the evolving responsibilities of senior media leadership.

Swapnil Said — Omnicom Media Group

Swapnil Said brings more than 14 years of experience in advertising and marketing to his Business Director role at OMD. His professional activity reflects engagement with brand campaigns and industry recognition across television and media advertising. His experience represents the continued evolution of integrated media strategy as agencies adopt data-driven and technology-enabled approaches.

Rashmi Gupta — PHD | Omnicom Media Group

Rashmi Gupta works in a senior media leadership capacity at PHD, contributing to an ecosystem built around media strategy, consumer understanding and brand growth. Her role reflects the increasing importance of data and technology in modern media planning. As AI becomes embedded in audience intelligence and optimisation, agency leaders in this space are helping translate these capabilities into brand solutions.

Megha Jain — Dentsu India 

Megha Jain is a senior leader at Dentsu India with a professional background in digital marketing and communications. Her experience includes certifications in Facebook Blueprint and Google AdWords, reflecting her grounding in digital platforms and performance-led marketing. Her role represents the ongoing shift towards technology-enabled media and brand strategies within the advertising industry.

Abhijan Nandy — dentsu

Abhijan Nandy is part of the senior leadership ecosystem at Dentsu India, with his professional activity reflecting engagement with major brand and creative developments. His profile has included visibility around Dentsu Creative’s work and brand partnerships, including the agency’s appointment by Lotte India. His role reflects the convergence of creative strategy, technology and integrated brand communication.

Pushkar Puri — Omnicom Media Group India | Omnicom

Pushkar Puri brings experience across media, marketing and digital advertising to his role at Omnicom Media Group India. His professional credentials include LinkedIn Marketing, Google Ads and The Trade Desk certifications, alongside recognition for data-led campaigns. His award history, including work recognised by The Drum Asia Awards and Cannes Lions, highlights the role of data and technology in measurable brand-building.

Ritika Goswami — dentsu

Ritika Goswami is a media strategy leader with around 20 years of experience focused on consumer behaviour and insight-led marketing. Her professional background combines media strategy with digital marketing and analytics, while her published commentary has explored changing consumer and cultural dynamics. Her work reflects the strategic shift towards insight, data and technology in contemporary brand building.

Kishor Kumar — Assembly Global | Stagwell

Kishor Kumar brings digital performance expertise to his Vice President role at Assembly Global, with his professional recommendations highlighting strength in SEM, PPC and execution. His current ecosystem is increasingly focused on AI-driven search, audience outcomes and changing consumer discovery patterns. His profile represents the evolution of performance marketing as AI reshapes search, targeting and optimisation.

Aloukika Bhowmik — Assembly Global | Stagwell

Aloukika Bhowmik brings international media experience to her leadership role at Assembly Global, having worked across markets including India, China, Vietnam and Malaysia. Her profile highlights media strategy, performance marketing and audience understanding, alongside direct commentary on how AI is transforming marketing. She describes AI as reshaping strategy, creativity and media execution, positioning her work firmly within the industry’s technology-led transformation.

Sanila Narang — Dentsu Creative | dentsu

Sanila Narang is part of the senior leadership at Dentsu Creative, working within an environment that combines creative communication with digital and technology-led brand experiences. Her professional activity reflects engagement with major consumer-brand conversations and the evolving advertising ecosystem. Her role represents the continuing convergence of creativity, technology and cultural relevance in modern brand building.

Priyanka Mohanty Nayudu — Interactive Avenues | dentsu

Priyanka Mohanty Nayudu brings deep digital-marketing and client leadership experience to her Vice President role at Interactive Avenues. Her profile highlights expertise across digital strategy, automation, search, paid social and digital marketing operations, alongside experience working with major brands. Her exposure to automation and evolving digital practices places her within the technology-led transformation of modern brand marketing.

Karan Krishna Pande — Dentsu Webchutney | dentsu

Karan Krishna Pande brings a digital-first approach to brand building through his leadership at Dentsu Webchutney. His experience spans social strategy, consumer insights, product launches and integrated campaigns, with his work including campaigns for brands such as Vivo and TVS. His focus on audience behaviour and data-informed content reflects the changing relationship between creativity, technology and engagement.

Vinay Rao — Langoor

Vinay Rao leads client success, customer experience and new initiatives at Langoor, bringing together business strategy and digital transformation. His profile reflects an interest in customer experience, emerging business models and technology-led growth, supported by his IIM Bangalore background. His role represents the growing need to connect digital innovation with measurable customer and business outcomes.

Nikhil Mayne —  Mindshare | WPP

Nikhil Mayne leads South operations at Mindshare, bringing regional leadership and media expertise to the agency’s business. His experience sits within a media environment increasingly shaped by audience intelligence, digital platforms and technology-enabled planning. His role reflects the evolution of media leadership as brands look to integrate data, automation and emerging technologies into communication strategies.

Anita Yadav — WPP

Anita Yadav works in senior client-services leadership at WPP Media, connecting brand requirements with media strategy and execution. Her role reflects the increasingly integrated nature of agency-client relationships, where data, technology and audience intelligence inform marketing decisions. As AI transforms planning and optimisation, client leadership is becoming an important bridge between emerging capabilities and business objectives.

Karuna Nayak — FCB Interface

Karuna Nayak brings more than a decade of marketing experience to her Senior Vice President role at FCB Interface. Her profile highlights brand strategy, campaign execution across ATL, BTL and digital platforms, new-product launches and client engagement. Her approach reflects the growing convergence of creative thinking, digital execution and business-focused marketing.

Kiran Yerramalli — Zenith | Publicis Groupe

Kiran Yerramalli brings a strategy-led perspective to Zenith, working within Publicis Media’s data and technology-driven media ecosystem. His role connects strategic planning with the evolving needs of brands across digital and traditional channels. As AI increasingly informs audience intelligence, planning and optimisation, strategic leadership is becoming central to technology-enabled media transformation.

Sachi Pandya- FCB Kinnect 

Sachi Pandya is part of the leadership ecosystem at FCB Kinnect, a digital-first agency known for combining social, digital and integrated brand communication. Her professional experience sits within a rapidly evolving environment where brands increasingly rely on technology, data and platform-native storytelling. Her role reflects the growing importance of digital-led thinking in contemporary brand building.

Gopi Krishna Garhwal — Hakuhodo

Gopi Krishna Garhwal brings nearly 16 years of experience in digital performance marketing to AGL-Hakuhodo. His professional profile highlights expertise in digital performance and SEO, positioning him within the data-driven side of modern advertising. His experience reflects how search, performance analytics and technology are becoming increasingly important to brand growth.

Nimit Shah — Publicis Groupe

Nimit Shah brings a digital-strategy orientation to his Vice President role at Publicis Groupe. His professional profile highlights creative strategy in the digital space, reflecting an approach built around connecting ideas with evolving online consumer behaviour. His work represents the intersection of creative thinking, digital platforms and technology-led brand communication.

Rishabh Mahendru — AdLift

Rishabh Mahendru brings more than a decade of digital-marketing experience spanning SEO, account management and growth. His professional work and writing reflect an interest in AI’s impact on digital marketing and the changing relationship between technology and human expertise. His leadership at AdLift places him at the intersection of performance, search, client growth and emerging AI-led marketing practices.

Karishma Sharma — Efficacy Worldwide

Karishma Sharma leads business-development initiatives at Efficacy Worldwide, working at the intersection of client relationships, business growth and agency services. Her role highlights the commercial side of the rapidly changing digital-marketing ecosystem. As brands increasingly seek technology-enabled marketing solutions, business-development leaders play an important role in connecting emerging capabilities with client requirements.

Rajit Gupta — Cheil Worldwide

Rajit Gupta brings senior creative leadership to Cheil Worldwide across its Delhi and Mumbai operations. His role places him at the intersection of creative direction, brand storytelling and integrated communication. As AI introduces new possibilities in ideation, content and experience design, creative leaders such as Gupta represent the human-led strategic thinking shaping how these technologies enter advertising.

Soumabha (Som) Nandi — Social Panga

Soumabha Nandi combines creative strategy, business growth and brand storytelling in his executive role at Social Panga. His profile highlights expertise in business strategy, brand stories, ROI and growth, alongside multiple industry recognitions including Creative Strategist of the Year. His professional ecosystem also intersects with Social Panga’s AI-focused creative initiatives, reflecting the agency’s evolving technology-led approach.

Ruchi Mishra — INNOCEAN Worldwide | Hyundai Motor Group

Ruchi Mishra is part of the senior leadership ecosystem at INNOCEAN Worldwide, working within an agency network associated with Hyundai Motor Group. Her role places her within an integrated advertising environment spanning brand communication, digital engagement and creative strategy. As automotive brands increasingly explore AI, connected experiences and technology-led consumer journeys, agency leadership is becoming central to translating innovation into communication.

Rohan Hukeri —Schbang

Rohan Hukeri brings senior business leadership to Schbang across its West and North operations. His role sits within an integrated digital agency environment spanning creative, technology, content and brand communication. His leadership reflects the shift towards multidisciplinary agency models where data, digital platforms and emerging technologies increasingly work alongside creative storytelling.

Seema Koushik — Magnon Group

Seema Koushik contributes to senior leadership at Magnon Group, an agency environment focused on digital and integrated marketing services. Her role reflects the growing importance of client relationships, digital execution and business development in a technology-led marketing ecosystem. As AI changes how agencies deliver content and marketing services, leaders across these functions are helping organisations adapt to new models of engagement.

Shantanu Mulay — Interactive Avenues | dentsu

Shantanu Mulay brings senior business leadership to Interactive Avenues, overseeing client and growth priorities within the digital-marketing ecosystem. His role sits across strategy, digital media and business development, areas increasingly influenced by automation, analytics and AI-enabled optimisation. His leadership reflects the transition towards integrated, technology-driven approaches to brand growth.

Sanjay Kumar — Grapes

Sanjay Kumar works directly at the intersection of growth, AI and digital marketing as Director of Growth and AI-Digital Marketing at Grapes. His mandate connects performance-oriented marketing with emerging artificial-intelligence capabilities, making his role closely aligned with the theme of this list. His work reflects how agencies are increasingly embedding AI into search, content, performance and growth strategies.

Devanshi Shah — BC Web Wise

Devanshi Shah brings business-development leadership to BC Web Wise, working within a digital agency environment focused on technology-led marketing and online communication. Her role connects client requirements with digital solutions and growth opportunities. As AI changes the range of services agencies can offer, business-development leaders are increasingly important in translating new capabilities into practical brand solutions.

Hitesh Mistry — BC Web Wise

Hitesh Mistry holds a senior leadership role at BC Web Wise, contributing to the agency’s digital marketing and client-growth ecosystem. His position reflects the increasing importance of technology, digital platforms and measurable performance in contemporary advertising. As AI becomes more integrated into marketing workflows, experienced digital leaders are helping shape how brands adapt to the next phase of online engagement.

Abhinav Jain — McCann Worldgroup

Abhinav Jain brings a strategy-led perspective to brand building through his role as Vice President – Brand Strategy at MRM. His career spans brand strategy, business solutions and marketing, with experience across organisations including ITC, Walmart and MRM. He has also served as a strategy leader at MRM//McCann, bringing structured thinking to evolving brand and consumer challenges.

Shilpa Kamath — Network Advertising

Shilpa Kamath is an advertising and brand communications leader serving as Executive Vice President at Network Advertising. Her LinkedIn activity reflects involvement in brand campaigns and integrated creative communication, including recent work around Vogue Eyewear. Her experience brings together advertising, brand storytelling and evolving digital marketing conversations.

Akash Soni — Excellent Publicity

Akash Soni has built his career across advertising, media, marketing and communications, with his role at Excellent Publicity focused on growth. His profile highlights experience in media strategy, advertising planning, audience understanding and marketing communications. His professional journey reflects the growing convergence of brand visibility, digital channels and data-informed growth strategies.

Radhika Suchday — Ogilvy | WPP

Radhika Suchday brings strategic and content-led thinking to brand communication at Ogilvy, where she serves as Senior Vice President. Her public work reflects a focus on culturally relevant storytelling, social-first narratives and translating consumer insights into brand communication. Her perspective on luxury, heritage and digital storytelling highlights the role of sharper human insights in modern brand building.

Samhita Chaudhuri — Ogilvy | WPP

Samhita Chaudhuri is a strategy leader at Ogilvy whose work centres on finding human truths that can shape sharper brand communication. Her LinkedIn profile reflects a strong foundation in strategy, communication and brand thinking, backed by her MICA education and experience in marketing-led projects. Her approach places consumer understanding and meaningful narratives at the centre of evolving brand strategy.

Sujay Ghosh — Omnicom Advertising |Omnicom

Sujay Ghosh combines brand strategy, integrated marketing and business leadership in his role as Executive Vice President & Business Partner at Omnicom Advertising. His public profile identifies him as an AI evangelist and reflects an active interest in how AI is reshaping creative and agency work. His recent writing explores the changing role of creative agencies, the shift from campaigns towards growth and the intersection of creativity and AI.

Rajesh Laikh — Crescent Group

Rajesh Laikh is an Executive Vice President at Crescent Group with experience spanning communications and brand-focused leadership. His LinkedIn activity reflects an interest in brand planning, consumer experience and the relationship between strategic direction and execution. His leadership perspective sits at the intersection of brand thinking, communication and evolving consumer expectations.

Kapil Nair — Havas

Kapil Nair leads social at PivotRoots, bringing a senior perspective to digital-first brand communication and social media strategy. His role places him at the intersection of content, community, platform behaviour and brand growth. As brands increasingly explore technology and AI to personalise and scale communication, social leadership is becoming an important part of the broader transformation of agency-led brand building.

Deep Banerjee — Edelman

Deep Banerjee is a Vice President at Edelman, contributing to the agency’s communications and client-facing work. His professional profile reflects experience across communications and leadership within Edelman, while his public activity also connects him with the wider communications ecosystem. His role represents the growing importance of strategic, integrated communication in an increasingly technology-driven brand environment.

Debanjan Chakraborty — Edelman India Digital Advisory | Edelman

Debanjan Chakraborty brings a digital and technology-oriented perspective to communications as a Vice President at Edelman. His profile and recommendations highlight work across digital advocacy, transformation, MarTech, analytics, audience segmentation and AI-driven solutions. This combination places digital intelligence and emerging technologies closer to the core of modern communications strategy.

Deleise Ross — Omnicom

Deleise Ross is a senior business leader within Omnicom Advertising, with her role focused on business leadership and client responsibilities. Her career has included senior positions across agency businesses, including DDB Mudra, where she was identified as Senior Vice President – Head of Business. Her experience reflects the evolving role of agency leaders in connecting business objectives, brand communication and integrated marketing.

Amit Kumar Singh — Madison World

Amit Kumar Singh is a Vice President at Madison World, bringing agency-side experience to the evolving media and marketing landscape. His professional profile connects him with Madison World and a background in marketing and management. His role reflects the increasing importance of integrating media, audience understanding and digital capabilities into contemporary brand strategies.

Ashish Singh — Starcom | Publicis Groupe

Ashish Singh serves as Vice President – Client Leadership at Starcom, part of Publicis Groupe. His appointment reflects a client leadership mandate within one of the global media network’s major agency brands, with the role centred on strengthening client relationships and strategic delivery. His position places him within the broader shift toward data, technology and integrated media-led brand growth.

Conclusion

The rise of AI is creating a new phase for India’s agency ecosystem, where creativity, strategic thinking, technology, data, and human insight increasingly intersect. The leaders featured in The AI 100 reflect the breadth of expertise driving this transition across advertising, media, digital, creative, and communications. As AI capabilities continue to evolve, their roles will remain closely connected to how brands adapt to changing consumer behaviour, emerging platforms, and new possibilities for storytelling and engagement. The future of brand building will not be defined by technology alone, but by how effectively leadership combines innovation with creativity, context, and human understanding.

                                                                    Research and Editing : Muskan Dengra & Vanshika Tayal

Disclaimer

This feature is an independent editorial initiative curated by Indian Startup Times to recognise agency and marketing leaders contributing to the evolving intersection of artificial intelligence, creativity, digital transformation, media, and brand building. The selection has been developed through structured editorial research using publicly available information, including company websites, LinkedIn profiles, professional biographies, industry publications, media coverage, and other relevant public sources. Inclusion is based on publicly visible professional roles, industry relevance, leadership experience, and contributions to the broader agency and marketing ecosystem. This list is not a ranking, and the order of names does not indicate hierarchy, preference, or superiority. The feature is also not intended to be exhaustive, and inclusion should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any individual, organisation, technology, or specific AI implementation.