McCann Worldgroup (MWG) India has announced a pivotal restructuring of its leadership team, naming Kamal Basu as Executive Director and Chief Growth Officer, and appointing Jyoti Mahendru as Chief Talent Officer and National Communication Officer. These appointments are part of the agency’s broader strategy to fortify its market presence and elevate client engagement in a rapidly evolving industry landscape.
Basu, who joined MWG in early 2023 as part of the senior leadership, steps into his new role with a wealth of experience across both advertising and corporate sectors. His career spans top-tier agencies like Rediffusion DY&R, Ogilvy, and Saatchi & Saatchi, where he last served as CEO in India. He has led impactful campaigns for marquee brands including Unilever, Procter & Gamble, American Express, and British Airways.
In addition to his advertising credentials, Basu brings a decade of leadership from the automotive sector, having served as Head of Marketing at Skoda and Volkswagen. During this time, he was instrumental in the launch of iconic models such as the Octavia, Rapid, Beetle, and Tiguan in the Indian market.
Joining him in reshaping the agency’s future is Jyoti Mahendru, a seasoned HR strategist with over 25 years of experience. An MBA graduate from IMT Ghaziabad, Mahendru has a proven track record in developing comprehensive HR frameworks that drive culture transformation, leadership development, and talent engagement.
Her most recent stint was at VML India, where she played a key role in guiding teams through structural and cultural integration during the landmark merger that formed the new VML entity. Her deep expertise in human capital strategy is expected to be a major asset as MWG India continues to evolve its organizational structure.
Together, Basu and Mahendru’s appointments reflect McCann Worldgroup India’s commitment to strengthening leadership, driving growth, and cultivating a culture of innovation and excellence.
“I am absolutely thrilled to be back at McCann to work with a stalwart like Prasoon – it truly feels like coming home. I look forward to contributing meaningfully and making a real difference,” said Mahendru.
In her new role, Mahendru’s strategic focus will be on attracting the right talent, developing high-performance and agile teams in a fast-evolving business landscape, implementing people-centric policies, and embracing employee wellbeing, diversity, and inclusion.
“The new structure of MWG India’s McCann in India will enable the company’s best people to provide focused and dedicated partnership to clients,” said Prasoon Joshi, Chairman McCann Asia Pacific and CEO & CCO McCann Worldgroup India.
“This will help bring disruptive creativity, agility, and fluidity to the table, which are crucial for transforming clients’ businesses and creating iconic brands in the current business landscape. By leveraging the expertise and creativity of its best employees, MWG India can provide its clients with the guidance and support they need to succeed in today’s highly competitive market,” he stated.
