J Walter Thompson announces senior management changes

Joy Chauhan takes over as the head of JWT Delhi operations. Kishore Tadepalli takes over from Joy as head of JWT Bengaluru. Babita Baruah gets independent charge of JWT's business unit – Power of One (PO1)

BestMediaInfo Bureau | Mumbai | December 14, 2016

J Walter Thompson India has announced senior management changes. With Sanjeev Bhargava, head of JWT leaving for a career outside advertising, the opportunities opened up. Joy Chauhan takes over as the head of JWT Delhi operations. Kishore Tadepalli takes over from Joy as head of JWT Bengaluru. Babita Baruah gets independent charge of JWT's business unit – Power of One (PO1). The changes come into effect from January 1, 2017.

In our report titled JWT Delhi head Sanjeev Bhargava quits; set to head marketing at Bennett, Coleman, we had reported that Bhargava had put in his papers after a five-year stint with the agency.

Tarun Rai

Commenting on Sanjeev Bhargava movement, Tarun Rai, CEO, J Walter Thompson Company, South Asia, said, “Sanjeev has done an excellent job in growing JWT Delhi. He is a fantastic professional and has had a stellar career in advertising. He now leaves to start a new career in media and I am sure he will do a great job. I thank him for all that he has done for us and wish him the very best for the future."

Commenting on the new roles, Rai said, “ Joy, Babita and Kishore have been performing exceptionally well. They are at a stage in their careers where they have a great balance of experience and youth.  I am really happy that, as an organisation, we are able to provide opportunities, at the right time, for people to grow. This is also a reflection on the 'bench strength' of JWT. And a signal to all our employees that whenever there is any opportunity in our company we will first look at internal candidates. I am confident that the three of them will continue to perform at the highest level."

Chauhan is a seasoned professional with over 20 years' experience in advertising and communications. Over the years he has helped build some of the most prestigious brands in the country. He is focussed on finding innovative ways to build our clients' brands and business. His energy and passion are infectious. Chauhan is currently the head of JWT Bengaluru operations. The office has had an incredible run under his leadership and is JWT's fastest growing office. Chauhan has worked in JWT for over a decade of which eight years were in Delhi so it is a 'homecoming' for him. He is very familiar with the business, the people and clients in Delhi and will hit the ground running.

Kishore Tadepalli takes over from Joy as head of JWT Bengaluru. Like Chauhan, Tadepalli has over two decades of experience in advertising and communications. Almost, all of it in J Walter Thompson. He is, thus, a long term Thompsonite. He is currently the Senior Vice President and Global Brand Director on Radiant (Rin in India). He is also the JWT India, Business Head  for Hindustan Unilever. Over the years Kishore has led large teams and helped build some of the most iconic brands of the country. JWT Bengaluru has built up a lot of momentum. Kishore will continue the great work the office is doing, focus on meeting  clients' business objectives and keep the momentum going.

Babita Baruah

Babita Baruah gets independent charge of JWT's business unit – Power of One (PO1) – that handles a large number of PepsiCo's flagship brands. Another Thompsonite with over two decades in the business, Baruah has worked in JWT's Kolkata, Mumbai and Delhi offices. Across these offices she has worked on some of the most powerful brands in the country. She wears her passion on her sleeve and leads from the front. She is an exceptional team leader and is focussed on being a true partner to her clients. She has done a remarkable job as the head of PO1. Beyond work, Barua is actively engaged in mentoring students and women at work, speaking in industry forums, and is part of JWT's Worldwide Diversity Council. She was invited to Harvard Business School earlier this year as a speaker on marketing trends, for the India Conference. Babita will now report in to, Tarun Rai, CEO JWT South Asia.

Info@BestMediaInfo.com

Info@BestMediaInfo.com