GroupM’s Essence has announced the appointment of Kunal Guha as Senior Vice-President, Product, APAC. Based in Singapore, he will report to Richard Mooney, Global Chief of Product Operations.
In this newly created role, Guha will lead Essence’s full-service product offering across APAC, where he is responsible for the development of the agency’s product proposition in the region, delivering growth strategies by creating data and analytics-led capabilities and strategic partnerships. He will work with regional practice leads across strategy, analytics, media and experience, as well as the agency’s suite of marketing technology solutions, to ensure an integrated product offering in APAC, which delivers on clients’ business needs.
Joining Essence in 2014 and most recently serving as Senior Vice-President, Managing Director, Central Asia, Guha has contributed significantly to building the agency’s capabilities and geographic footprint from a startup in Singapore to a full-service agency across APAC. A member of Essence’s APAC leadership team, he is part of the executive council that oversees the strategic direction of Essence Global Ventures, the agency’s first innovation, research and development hub in APAC, supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board.
“At Essence, we are incubating and developing a product proposition for the new era of marketing, with data, technology, brand protection and experience at the core,” said Guha. “In my new role, I help connect our APAC practices with our product proposition to create a stimulating environment for all to thrive in. I am excited to oversee the design and output of our product proposition, as well as champion our agency’s best work and cohesive, future-forward solutions for our clients.”
“Guha has played an instrumental role in the tremendous growth and success that Essence has experienced in APAC. In five years, he has applied his breadth of marketing experience and business acumen to leadership roles across strategy, client services and business management,” said Mooney. “In the last year, Kunal contributed greatly to our product, and in recognition of his achievements and capabilities, I am delighted to officially welcome him into the global product organisation as the product lead for APAC.”
“I am thrilled that Guha has taken on this important role to represent Essence’s product proposition and points of view with clients and in the industry,” said Kyoko Matsushita, Global Chief Client Officer and APAC CEO at Essence. “I am confident that Kunal will help our client services, practice and operations teams ensure our client portfolio teams are set up for success with the right combination of resources, expertise and tools, as well as further improve the way we work together to drive increased work quality and efficiency for our agency and clients.”