Leadership Shifts Signal AI and Marketing Transformation Across Major Companies
Last week brought significant leadership changes across advertising, media and technology firms, with new appointments focused on AI integration, digital transformation and revenue growth. The moves reflect how companies are restructuring to compete in an increasingly AI-driven market.
AI and Transformation Leadership
WPP appointed Anne Isabelle Choueiri as Chief Transformation Officer, a newly created role. Choueiri, who previously led AI initiatives and marketing transformation at The Estée Lauder Companies, will oversee WPP's three-year Elevate28 growth plan and drive operational efficiency through AI and data.
Flipkart named Hemant Badri to lead its AI transformation charter. As Senior Vice President, Badri will identify AI-driven business use cases across operations, customer experience and supply chain. The company is moving toward becoming AI-first while maintaining human oversight in decision-making.
VerSe Innovation brought in Prasanna Prasad as Chief Product and Technology Officer. Prasad will lead engineering and product teams while expanding AI across platforms like Dailyhunt and Josh, focusing on content personalization and creator tools for local language markets.
CEO Appointments and Transitions
foundit appointed Tarun Sinha as Chief Executive Officer. Sinha brings two decades in digital businesses and HR technology, with prior roles at BetterPlace, OLX and Times Internet. He will focus on technology-driven recruitment across Asia-Pacific and the Middle East.
Maxposure promoted Sasha Somya to Chief Executive Officer, effective April 1. Somya has spent over 18 years at the company and previously led client acquisition. She will oversee strategy and financial performance as the company expands into experiential marketing.
The Indian Express Digital appointed Nandagopal Rajan as CEO after more than 12 years with the organization. Rajan previously served as Chief Operating Officer and led digital expansion, including print-digital integration and regional language growth.
Lenexis Foodworks named Arvind R P as Chief Executive Officer. With over 25 years in QSR and FMCG sectors, he previously served as Chief Business Officer at McDonald's India. He will lead expansion toward 500 stores by 2028.
Policybazaar Insurance Brokers appointed Sajja Praveen Chowdary as CEO, replacing Tarun Mathur. Chowdary has been with PB Fintech since 2011 and led multiple verticals including retail insurance products.
Marketing and Revenue Leadership
Mondelez International hired Ankit Desai as Senior Director of Marketing for India. He joins from The Hershey Company after nearly seven years and will oversee brands including Cadbury Dairy Milk, Cadbury Silk and Bournville.
Uber appointed Arjun Kalra as Head of Marketing for India and South Asia. Kalra brings experience from Apple, where he led demand generation, and earlier roles at AB InBev and Yum! Brands.
Ixigo hired Ameya Velankar as Group Senior Vice President of Marketing. Velankar left Uber India, where he spent seven years leading product and brand marketing across India and South Asia.
Devyani International appointed Sandeep Anand as Chief Marketing Officer and Pizza Hut Business Head. Anand brings over 22 years in FMCG and food sectors, with prior roles at Americana and Domino's.
NeoLiv promoted Chandan Kar to Chief Marketing Officer. A founding member, Kar will lead brand strategy, marketing and AI-driven initiatives across India.
Content and Entertainment Leadership
Dentsu India appointed Paroma Dayal as Vice President for Sports, Gaming, E-Sports and Live Experiences. With over 17 years of experience, she previously worked at Quora, MX Player and Viacom18 and will lead partnerships and sponsorships.
Wondrlab Network hired Anju Sharma as Creative Lead for Content. Sharma joins from FCB Ulka, where she was Senior Creative Director, bringing over a decade of experience in design-led storytelling.
Zee Music Company appointed Hiimaanshu Shindde as Vice President and Head of Streaming Business. Shindde brings experience in digital content and music partnerships from roles at Beatchain and Radio City.
YRF Entertainment hired Saugata Mukherjee as Head of Content. Mukherjee moves from SonyLIV, where he led content strategy, and brings over two decades of experience including roles at HBO Max and Hotstar.
Governance and Policy Roles
Anthropic appointed Amlan Mohanty as Head of Policy, India. Based in New Delhi, Mohanty previously worked at Google as Public Policy Counsel handling privacy and AI issues. His role reflects growing global attention to India's AI market and governance influence.
Curefit Healthcare appointed Pragya Misra as an independent director. Misra leads strategy and global affairs in India at OpenAI and brings experience in policy and market expansion.
Voltas elevated Pragya Bijalwan to its senior management team. Currently Head of Marketing and Communications, she brings over two decades of experience in sales, marketing and digital strategy.
Notable Exits
Air India CEO Campbell Wilson resigned after serving since July 2022. His exit follows internal developments and comes as the airline navigates restructuring under Tata Group ownership.
OpenAI CMO Kate Rouch stepped down to focus on cancer recovery. Rouch, who joined in December 2024, said she may return in a different role once her health improves.
Visa Group Country Manager for India and South Asia Sandeep Ghosh stepped down after over four years. The company confirmed a planned transition with a successor already identified.
Inshorts Chief Revenue Officer Piyush Thakur stepped down after nearly a decade. He had held multiple leadership roles since joining in 2016.
Republic Media Network Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer Ajay Bedi exited just four months after joining. His sudden departure highlights instability in senior leadership roles focused on revenue and cross-platform growth.
Other Sector Moves
Westlife Foodworld appointed Natasha Kini as Deputy General Manager of Corporate Communications. Kini brings over a decade of experience in corporate reputation and crisis management from L'Oréal.
BPCL appointed Sanjay Khanna as Chairman and Managing Director. With over three decades in energy, Khanna previously served as Director of Refineries and will lead the company until May 31, 2029.
Oracle appointed Hilary Maxson as Chief Financial Officer. The move comes after the company announced global layoffs and reflects Oracle's focus on competing with Amazon and Microsoft in cloud and AI.
Park+ plans to appoint a Chief Marketing Officer and hire a media agency. CEO Amit Lakhotia said the move signals a shift from product-led growth to structured marketing as the super app for car owners expands.
Your membership also unlocks:
