Babita Baruah to head VML India; Shamsuddin Jasani exits Wunderman Thompson

WPP has relied on its old hand Babita Barua to lead VML in India, the merged entity of Wunderman Thompson and VMLY&R.

VML announced that Babita Baruah will join as Chief Executive Officer of India from March 1, 2024, and will partner with Saurabh Saksena, who has been elevated into the role of President.

As a result, Shamsuddin Jasani stepped down from the role of CEO at Wunderman Thompson South Asia.

Last year in October, WPP had announced the merger of Wunderman Thompson into VMLY&R to create VML.

Globally, VMLY&R leadership took over of the merged entity and it was expected that something similar would be replicated in the India market.

With a career spanning 25 years in marketing and advertising, Baruah will join VML India from a dual role working across WPP's Ford International Market Group as Regional Client Lead and Executive Director at VMLY&R Thailand. 

Baruah's journey began at JWT India, which was later merged with Wunderman to firm Wunderman Thompson. At JWT India, she spent two decades leading brands such as PepsiCo, Unilever, Nestlé, Kellogg’s, Godrej, Kotak Mahindra, Reliance, and Aditya Birla. 

In 2017, Baruah joined the GTB business in India as the Managing Partner and moved to Bangkok in 2021 in a dual capacity role as WPP Lead for the Ford business across India, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, the Middle East, and South Africa, and Executive Director, VMLY&R Thailand.

Baruah commented, “It’s an honour to lead a market like India for VML. I look forward to working closely with Audrey, Yi-Chung, Saurabh, and the whole team in India to make sure that we connect creativity, experience, data and technology, to be the preferred destination for India’s ambitious brands and talented individuals.”

Audrey Kuah, Co-CEO of VML APAC, added, “Babita is no stranger to India, and we welcome her home as the new VML India CEO. With her vast experience in delivering innovation and growth for clients and a passion for building a high empathy and performance culture, I look forward to working with Babita to take our India business, already one of the strongest in the region, to new heights in 2024.”

Yi-Chung Tay, Co-CEO of VML APAC added, “Saurabh and Babita will be a driving force for growth in India. I’ve watched Babita grow the Ford and VMLY&R Thailand businesses over the years and I’m confident that she will do the same for our clients in India. Saurabh’s elevation is founded on his record of successfully integrating VMLY&R India’s offices, building culture and increasing profitability. I can’t think of a better duo to lead India, which is a key market for VML in APAC.”

Saksena added, “I’m very excited to continue this journey of building a strong and successful VML with Babita by orchestrating innovative growth solutions for our clients that sit at the intersection of creativity, experience, data and technology.”

On moving on from Wunderman Thompson, Jasani said, “It has been an amazing and rewarding two years at Wunderman Thompson and I’m proud of what we have achieved. During my time, we have transformed the company into a partner that provides smart and impactful solutions to crucial business problems - all powered by creative, tech and commerce.”

“As the business continues its evolution, I believe my job is done. I am looking forward to a new and exciting chapter in my life with an amazing opportunity. I thank everyone at Wunderman Thompson - the clients, our partners and specially our team.” Jasani continued.

Commenting on Jasani’s departure from Wunderman Thompson Kuah said, “With such a large and diverse market like India, I have seen Shams work diligently to bring the offices and capabilities together. I would like to thank Shams for his dedication to our business and wish him every success in his new endeavors.”

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