McCann Worldgroup India has announced a series of strategic leadership appointments to bolster its capabilities in the evolving advertising landscape. Kamal Basu has been elevated to Executive Director and Chief Growth Officer, while Jyoti Mahendru joins as Chief Talent Officer and National Communication Officer.
Additionally, Sumeer Mathur has been appointed as Chief Strategy Director. These changes reflect McCann’s commitment to delivering innovative solutions and enhancing client partnerships.
Kamal Basu, who joined McCann in 2023, brings decades of experience in advertising and marketing to his new role as Executive Director and Chief Growth Officer. Basu has previously held leadership positions at Rediffusion DY&R, Ogilvy, and Saatchi & Saatchi India, where he served as CEO. His portfolio includes managing accounts for global brands such as Unilever, British Airways, Procter & Gamble, and American Express. Prior to rejoining the advertising industry, Basu spent 10 years in the automotive sector, leading marketing efforts for Skoda and Volkswagen India.
In his new position, Basu will focus on driving business growth through innovative strategies while strengthening McCann’s market presence. His expertise in brand building and client management is expected to play a pivotal role in achieving these objectives.
Jyoti Mahendru joins McCann Worldgroup India with over 25 years of experience in human resources and organizational transformation. An MBA graduate from IMT Ghaziabad, Mahendru previously worked at VML India, where she successfully managed integration processes during a major merger. Her expertise spans HR frameworks, talent development, culture management, and employee engagement.
As Chief Talent Officer and National Communication Officer, Mahendru will focus on attracting top talent, fostering high-performance teams, and implementing people-centric policies that prioritize employee well-being, diversity, and inclusion. Her leadership is expected to enhance McCann’s ability to adapt to the fast-changing business environment.
Sumeer Mathur has been appointed as Chief Strategy Director and will officially join McCann by the end of April 2025. Mathur previously served as Chief Strategy Officer at Dentsu, where he established Dentsu Creative’s first strategy department. He is known for integrating cultural insights with data-driven approaches to create impactful campaigns.
Under Mathur’s leadership, McCann Worldgroup India has introduced a new cluster-based organizational model that divides business operations by geographical regions and strategic clusters. This structure aims to provide specialized services tailored to regional dynamics while fostering collaboration among planning teams.
Mathur expressed excitement about joining McCann Worldgroup India: “I’m thrilled to work with Prasoon Joshi and the stellar team at McCann. The opportunity to drive culture-first creativity that gives brands a competitive edge is truly inspiring.”
Prasoon Joshi, Chairman of McCann Asia Pacific and CEO & CCO of McCann Worldgroup India, emphasized the importance of these appointments in transforming clients’ businesses. “By leveraging disruptive creativity and agility, our new leadership team will help create iconic brands in today’s competitive market,” Joshi stated.
The restructuring of McCann Worldgroup India’s leadership team signals its focus on innovation, agility, and client-centric strategies. With Kamal Basu driving growth initiatives, Jyoti Mahendru enhancing talent management frameworks, and Sumeer Mathur leading strategic planning efforts, the agency is poised for significant market expansion.
Summary
- Kamal Basu has been elevated to Executive Director & Chief Growth Officer at McCann Worldgroup India.
- Jyoti Mahendru joins as Chief Talent Officer & National Communication Officer with expertise in HR frameworks and organizational transformation.
- Sumeer Mathur has been appointed Chief Strategy Director; he will lead strategic planning under a new cluster-based organizational model.
- Prasoon Joshi emphasized these appointments as critical for delivering disruptive creativity and enhancing client partnerships.