FCB Ulka has appointed Manisha Sain as National Planning Director. She joins from The Womb, where she was Lead – Strategic Planning. CEO Kulvinder Ahluwalia praised her analytical and creative strengths. With experience at BBDO, Nielsen, and Netscribes, Sain aims to evolve FCB Ulka’s iconic brands through insight-driven, culturally rooted strategy.
Global advertising network FCB Ulka has announced the appointment of Manisha Sain as its new National Planning Director, strengthening its strategic leadership team as the agency continues to sharpen its focus on brand transformation and consumer insight-driven creativity.
Sain joins FCB Ulka from The Womb, where she served as Lead – Strategic Planning. She first joined the independent agency in 2019 as Strategy Partner and was elevated to the lead role in 2022. Over the years, she has played a pivotal role in shaping strategy for some of India’s most recognizable brands, blending deep cultural understanding with sharp marketing analysis.
Announcing her appointment, Kulvinder Ahluwalia, CEO, FCB Ulka, said:
“Manisha’s blend of analytical rigour and creative instinct makes her a powerful addition to our planning leadership. Her proven ability to connect brand truth with consumer culture will be instrumental as we continue to strengthen FCB Ulka’s strategic backbone and build brands that stand the test of time.”
Ahluwalia’s remarks underline the agency’s continuing efforts to build a strong planning culture that drives brand meaning and creative excellence across its portfolio.
Sain brings over a decade of diverse experience spanning agencies, research firms, and brand consultancies. Before her stint at The Womb, she worked with BBDO, Nielsen, and Netscribes, gaining expertise across brand communication, consumer behavior, and data-driven strategy.
Her career reflects a rare combination of analytical depth and human empathy — skills increasingly critical in an era where brands are navigating cultural shifts, digital disruption, and changing consumer expectations.
Speaking about her new role, Sain said:
“Rarely does one get a chance to be part of a business built on strong relationships that withstand the test of time, and brands that have been part of every Indian’s childhood. I’m excited to join the journey of evolution for some of the country’s most iconic brands — and to create work that truly works for consumers embracing new, disruptive behaviours.”
Her statement reflects both respect for FCB Ulka’s legacy and ambition for its future — to evolve heritage brands through fresh strategic thinking while staying rooted in timeless values.
One of India’s oldest and most respected advertising agencies, FCB Ulka has long been synonymous with enduring client relationships and culturally resonant storytelling. The appointment of a new national planning director signals the agency’s intent to strengthen its strategic backbone as it responds to the fast-changing brand landscape in India.
With clients spanning FMCG, financial services, automotive, and digital-first categories, FCB Ulka is increasingly focused on integrating insight-led strategy with data-driven creativity — a space where Sain’s cross-disciplinary background is expected to add significant value.
Industry observers see this as a strong move to build deeper consumer-centric strategy frameworks across the agency’s network and offices nationwide.
As FCB Ulka continues its journey of creative reinvention, Sain’s appointment represents both continuity and change — a nod to the agency’s enduring relationships and its readiness to reimagine how brands connect with India’s new generation of consumers.
By bringing together cultural sensitivity, business acumen, and strategic imagination, Manisha Sain steps into her new role with a clear mandate: to help build brands that not only last but lead.
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