In a significant leadership transition, Ogilvy India has announced that Piyush Pandey, a stalwart in the advertising industry, is stepping down from his roles as Chairman Global Creative and Executive Chairman. He will be succeeded by VR Rajesh, with this change set to take effect from January 1, 2024.
This transition marks a new chapter for Ogilvy India, one of the leading advertising agencies in the country. Notably, it brings in fresh leadership to steer the agency’s creative and strategic direction. Alongside these changes, Hephzibah Pathak has assumed the role of Executive Chairperson, making history as the first woman to hold this position within the company.
Hephzibah Pathak’s appointment as Executive Chairperson underscores the agency’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity in leadership roles. In her new role, she will be responsible for driving the firm’s strategic direction, growth initiatives, and transformation agenda.
As part of this leadership shift, Piyush Pandey will take on the role of Chief Advisor. In this capacity, he will work closely with the leadership team and continue to collaborate with major clients. Pandey has been an integral part of Ogilvy for an impressive 41 years, contributing significantly to the agency’s creative and strategic prowess.
Devika Seth Bulchandani, Ogilvy’s global CEO, emphasized that Piyush Pandey would not oversee day-to-day administrative tasks but would maintain his role as a guiding force within the agency. She also highlighted the agency’s commitment to creativity and its impact on clients’ businesses, which remains at the core of Ogilvy’s mission.
Piyush Pandey expressed his enthusiasm for the transition, stating, “Creativity and its impact on our clients’ businesses are at the heart of Ogilvy. In keeping with my passion, I will continue to partner with and guide the new leadership as always. Our joint purpose is to ensure that we not only maintain but also better our core strengths.”
Additionally, Ogilvy India has made notable additions to its board, signaling a strengthening of its creative and strategic leadership. Three Chief Creative Officers (CCOs) – Harshad Rajadhyaksha, Kainaz Karmakar, and Sukesh Nayak – will join the board, bringing their creative expertise to the forefront. Prem Narayan, the firm’s Chief Strategy Officer, will also become a part of the board, contributing to the agency’s strategic initiatives.
This leadership transition comes at a pivotal moment for Ogilvy India and reflects the agency’s commitment to adapt to the evolving dynamics of the advertising and creative industry. As the advertising landscape continues to change, the new leadership will play a crucial role in driving Ogilvy’s growth, innovation, and creative excellence.
Ogilvy India’s announcement of leadership changes, including Piyush Pandey’s transition to Chief Advisor, the appointment of VR Rajesh as Chairman Global Creative, and Hephzibah Pathak as Executive Chairperson, represents a strategic move to position the agency for continued success in the ever-evolving advertising industry. The addition of creative leaders to the board further solidifies Ogilvy’s commitment to delivering innovative and impactful solutions for its clients.
