Tarun Rai replaces Colvyn Harris as JWT South Asia CEO

Harris to assume role of Executive Director, Global Growth and Client Development

BestMediaInfo Bureau | Delhi | January 14, 2015

(Left) Gustavo Martinez and Tarun Rai (Right)

Gustavo Martinez, Chief Executive Officer of J Walter Thompson Company, today announced that Tarun Rai will succeed Colyvn Harris as CEO, JWT South Asia, beginning early 2015. He will report to Martinez, and will work closely with Nick Romas, JWT Asia Pacific CFO.

Harris, 57, who has had a longstanding tenure with the company, will assume the role of Executive Director, Global Growth and Client Development, reporting to Martinez.

Rai will lead JWT South Asia which includes India, Sri Lanka and Nepal, as well as JWT's Indian companies, including Contract Advertising, Hungama Digital Services, JWT Mindset, Encompass and Social Wavelength.

“I am thrilled to welcome Tarun Rai back to JWT,” said Martinez. “Tarun has the global business acumen and pioneering spirit needed to lead JWT South Asia. He was an important part of our past, and now he will be a critical part of our future.”

Rai, 51, rejoins the company from World Wide Media, where he has been CEO since 2008. Under Rai's leadership, Worldwide Media (then a joint venture of The Times of India Group and BBC Worldwide) grew exponentially.

“It's wonderful to return home to JWT during this pivotal time in the company's history,” said Rai. “Being away for a few years has given me an invaluable 'outside-in' perspective of the advertising business. Having a chance to head JWT South Asia and work with Gustavo Martinez as he leads JWT into the next 150 years is a huge honour.”

During his tenure at JWT, Rai had helped build some of the world's most reputed brands. His clients included Hindustan Unilever, Diageo, GlaxoSmithKline, Pizza Hut, De Beers, ITC, Tata Steel, Nestlé, Hero, Godrej and Kellogg's.

Rai is seen as someone who understands and reflects JWT's values and ethics. He is an advertising and media professional with more than 25 years' experience. He holds a business degree and is an alumnus of the London School of Economics.

Colvyn Harris

Harris, who has spent 35 years at JWT, has been CEO of Contract Advertising and Managing Director of JWT Colombo, as well as holding various industry leadership roles and board positions, including President of the Advertising Agencies Association of India.

Under his leadership, JWT South Asia has built a formidable reputation with a diverse spectrum of traditional, mainstream, activation, events and digital marketing services capabilities, including the acquisitions of Encompass, Hungama Digital Services, Mindset and Social Wavelength. The agency also won its first Cannes Grand Prix and first Titanium Lion under his leadership, and was the highest awarded Indian agency at Cannes 2014. The company has deepened the scope and scale of the services it offers in the market, from digital to events and activation, through organic growth and acquisitions.

“Every day has been an opportunity across my professional career at JWT,” said Harris. “Building our capabilities to meet the ambition of our clients' brands has been my relentless passion and purpose. I have worked with the most amazing and talented team one can ever hope for, and the bluest-of-blue chip clients across every category one can dream of. I am proud to have sustained and grown our client partnerships, and that our clients continue to be leaders in their respective categories for the ideas we have delivered for them. I look forward to being an integral part of the global client development team.”

“I am deeply grateful for Colvyn Harris' longstanding leadership and commitment to JWT,” said Martinez. “Colvyn has been a real asset and a great support during my first 11 months in the company. He will continue to help me further the growth of the company in this new role.”

“2015 will be a big year, especially for J Walter Thompson South Asia under Tarun's leadership and vision,” Martinez added.

Info@BestMediaInfo.com

Info@BestMediaInfo.com