Aditya R. Kanthy has been appointed President of Omnicom Advertising India following the merger with IPG. With a career beginning at Mudra in 2003, Kanthy brings strategic and creative expertise to lead the integrated network, guiding teams, clients, and operations through a transformative phase in India’s dynamic advertising landscape.
Aditya R. Kanthy, a seasoned advertising veteran whose career spans more than two decades, has been appointed President of Omnicom Advertising India within the newly merged Omnicom‑IPG entity, a move that not only defines the next chapter of his own professional journey but also reflects broader shifts underway in India’s ad and communications landscape. The announcement, first reported in industry circles and confirmed by multiple sources, marks a significant milestone in the ongoing integration of two of the world’s largest advertising holding companies and positions Kanthy at the helm of one of the most influential teams in the country’s vibrant marketing sector.
The appointment comes as Omnicom Group Inc., fresh from its acquisition of The Interpublic Group of Companies (IPG) and creation of a merged global network, sets out to streamline operations and strengthen its competitive edge internationally. In India, where both Omnicom and IPG have long cultivated deep client relationships, the consolidation has prompted a reorganization of leadership roles. Kanthy’s elevation to President signals a vote of confidence not just in his capabilities but also in a leadership strategy that blends continuity with renewed ambition as the combined entity seeks to expand its footprint in one of the world’s fastest‑growing advertising markets.
Kanthy’s journey in the advertising world began with Mudra Communications in 2003, when he joined as a strategic planner. Over the years, he built a reputation for strategic insight and creative leadership, rising through the ranks to become Chief Strategy Officer. His tenure at Mudra — an agency with deep roots in India’s communications ecosystem and known for shaping category‑defining work — laid the foundation for his later achievements and informed his holistic view of brand building and integrated marketing. (exchange4media)
In 2023, Kanthy was appointed CEO and Managing Director of DDB Mudra Group, a pivotal moment in his career that saw him leading one of India’s most respected creative agencies under the Omnicom umbrella. Under his leadership, the agency earned recognition on global stages, including being ranked Asia’s number‑one effective agency in the WARC rankings in 2021 and becoming the first Indian agency to be named APAC Agency of the Year at Spikes Asia in 2022. These accolades underscored his ability to balance creative excellence with business impact — a rare combination in an industry often divided between artistic ambition and commercial imperatives.
At a time when mergers and acquisitions dominate conversations in the global marketing world, Kanthy’s elevation comes with both opportunity and challenge. The Omnicom‑IPG merger — a deal valued at roughly $25 billion and recently cleared by the Competition Commission of India — creates one of the world’s largest integrated communications networks, combining scale with a breadth of services spanning creative, media, data and customer engagement. This consolidation alters the competitive landscape in India, where legacy players vie for growth amidst digital transformation, evolving consumer behavior, and the rise of new media platforms.
Within this context, Kanthy’s role is central to shaping how Omnicom Advertising India navigates integration complexities while advancing its strategic priorities. As President, he will be responsible for guiding the creative and client service functions — ensuring that teams work collaboratively across disciplines, that creative output remains distinctive and commercially relevant, and that client portfolios are managed with both innovation and insight. His understanding of local market dynamics, coupled with global experience, positions him to act as a bridge between international best practices and India’s unique advertising ecosystem.
Industry observers note that the merger will inevitably lead to structural changes — from agency brand portfolios to workforce configurations — as the new entity seeks efficiencies and sharper positioning. In India, legacy agency names such as DDB, FCB and MullenLowe have been retired in favor of consolidated creative networks operating under BBDO, McCann and TBWA, with media functions unified under Omnicom Media. Within this reshaped structure, leadership roles have been carefully calibrated, with Prasoon Joshi appointed chairman and Kanthy steering daily operations as President and Managing Director.
Kanthy’s leadership style, built on collaboration and strategic prioritization, will be tested as he oversees this transition. The industry’s expectations are high: clients seek seamless service across creative and media channels, while talent — from seasoned creatives to digital specialists — looks for stability and growth within a reorganized corporate environment. Balancing these demands, while preserving the creative DNA that has made each agency network distinct, will require both empathetic leadership and pragmatic decision‑making. (The
Beyond internal management, Kanthy’s presidency carries implications for the broader Indian advertising sector. As India is projected to become the world’s most populous nation and one of the fastest‑growing markets for goods and services, local agencies are increasingly under pressure to deliver world‑class work that resonates with diverse audiences. A strong leadership presence at the helm of one of the industry’s most robust networks could help attract talent, foster innovation and set benchmarks for collaboration in a market where independent and global agencies compete fiercely.
Clients, too, are watching closely. Brand marketers contend with rapid shifts in consumer behavior, fragmented media consumption, and the rise of AI‑enabled tools that are reshaping creative processes and measurement frameworks. Having a seasoned figure like Kanthy in charge offers a sense of continuity and strategic assurance at a time when many are reevaluating agency partnerships as part of broader efforts to future‑proof their marketing investments.
The personal element of Kanthy’s story — from a strategic planner in Mumbai to a national leader within one of the world’s largest advertising networks — also resonates within the industry as a testament to long‑term commitment and adaptability. His rise parallels the evolution of India’s advertising landscape itself, which has matured from traditional broadcast‑centered models to complex, data‑driven, integrated communications practices that demand agility and cross‑disciplinary expertise.
As he steps into his new role effective January 1, 2026, Kanthy inherits both the legacy of past achievements and the responsibility of shaping a future defined by scale, innovation and relevance. In an industry where change is constant and competition is intense, his presidency will be measured not just in organizational wins but in the ability to galvanize teams, nurture creativity and deliver measurable impact for clients.
Looking ahead, the success of the merged Omnicom‑IPG entity in India will hinge on how effectively its leadership can integrate strengths, honor diverse creative traditions and embrace the opportunities of a rapidly evolving media landscape. In this narrative, Kanthy stands at a pivotal point — a leader tasked with steering a storied industry through a period of transformation while reaffirming the enduring value of creativity, strategy and human insight.
His journey underscores a broader truth about leadership in the advertising world: that understanding culture, connecting with audiences and navigating change with purpose remain at the heart of impactful communication — even as technologies and business models shift. For Kanthy and the teams he leads, the next chapter promises not just challenge but the chance to redefine what creative leadership looks like in a unified, expanded global network.
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