Top Level Changes At Rediffusion Y&R

Group CEO Mahesh Chauhan quits; D Rajappa brought in as new head; ex-JWT Dhunji Wadia to head Everest Brand Solutions.

BestMediaInfo Bureau | Delhi | December 1, 2010

Rediffusion Y&R has announced top level changes including the exit of its Group CEO Mahesh Chauhan a.k.a Mash who has put in his papers and serving notice period till the end of December 2010.

Mash took over the Group CEO role in August 2008 while he was brought in 2006 as President to head the agency. He had moved to Rediffusion from its sister concern Everest Brand Solutions where he spent 4 years. Prior to joining Everest Brand Solutions, Mash had spent six years with Ogilvy India. Mash is the IIT Mumbai graduate.

Replacing Mash will be D Rajappa as the new President at Rediffusion Y&R who was heading Everest Brand Solutions as President till date. Rajappa had earlier replace Mash when he was moved out from Everest to head Rediffusion.

Rajappa has been a Rediffusion Group veteran, having served the group for over 15 years in various capacities. He started out as an Account Director in 1995 and went on to head the Delhi branch of Rediffusion. He later moved to Rediffusion Sri Lanka as President and CEO in 2003. In 2006, he returned to India as President of Everest Brand Solutions.

Prior to joining Rediffusion, he worked with Interact Vision. Rajappa started his career in advertising in 1988 with McCann Erickson, New Delhi.

Commenting on Rajappa's appointment, Diwan Arun Nanda, Chairman and Managing Director, Rediffusion-Y&R, says, “Raja's clarity of purpose and his integrity have always succeeded in attracting and retaining high talent. The relationships he forms are always meaningful and long term, with colleagues and clients.”

Says Rajappa about his new role, “I'm no stranger to the group, and I'm here because of the entrepreneurial freedom it offers talented people. I've had the opportunity to exercise this freedom in various capacities and this new function definitely offers me further scope to do so. Mr. Nanda has been a great role model. My immediate focus would be to inspire the talented team we have and grow the business and scale of Rediffusion.”

Now to fill the position vacated by Rajappa, ex-JWT Dhunji Wadia has been roped in as President of Everest Brand Solutions. Wadia left JWT in May 2010 as Senior Vice-President and Managing Partner.

Wadia joined JWT Mumbai in 1995 and then moved to JWT Bangalore in 2000. After spending 8 years at Bangalore, he came back to head Mumbai unit in January 2008. Wadia is a seasoned ad professional with 25 years of experience.

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