Havas India has appointed Meenakshi C V as Vice President – Strategy and Planning. A seasoned brand professional, she announced the move on LinkedIn, expressing excitement about the new journey. With experience across B2C and B2B sectors, she previously worked as an independent consultant and held senior marketing roles in healthcare firms.
In a significant leadership appointment that underscores Havas India’s focus on strengthening its strategic capabilities, brand professional Meenakshi C V has joined the agency as Vice President – Strategy and Planning. She announced the move in a LinkedIn post, writing, “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Vice President – Strategy and Planning at Havas India. Excited about this new journey.”
Her appointment comes at a time when agencies are increasingly investing in strategy-led leadership to navigate the complexities of consumer behaviour, digital transformation, and brand storytelling. For Havas India, which has been expanding its footprint in the country’s competitive advertising and communications landscape, the addition of Meenakshi signals a renewed emphasis on insight-driven planning and long-term brand building.
Meenakshi brings with her a wealth of experience across both B2C and B2B sectors, having worked extensively in brand strategy and qualitative research. Before joining Havas India, she operated as an independent consultant, advising businesses on positioning, consumer insights, and narrative development. This entrepreneurial stint allowed her to engage with diverse industries and sharpen her ability to decode consumer motivations, a skill that is increasingly vital in today’s fragmented media environment.
Earlier in her career, she held senior marketing leadership roles, including Group Marketing Head at Blumen Biovitals Healthkare and Spring Bio Solution. In these positions, she was responsible for shaping brand identity, driving market expansion, and aligning communication strategies with business goals. Her work in the healthcare sector gave her exposure to highly regulated markets where trust, credibility, and clarity of messaging are paramount—qualities that resonate strongly with the demands of contemporary brand communication.
Industry observers note that her trajectory reflects a blend of corporate leadership and independent consulting, equipping her with both structured organisational experience and agile problem-solving skills. This dual perspective is expected to be valuable at Havas India, where clients increasingly seek integrated solutions that combine creativity with measurable impact.
The appointment also highlights the growing importance of women leaders in India’s advertising and marketing ecosystem. As agencies strive to build diverse leadership teams, professionals like Meenakshi bring not only expertise but also fresh perspectives on consumer engagement and organisational culture. Her role as Vice President – Strategy and Planning places her at the heart of decision-making, where she will influence how brands connect with audiences in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
Havas India has been steadily building its reputation as a network that balances global expertise with local relevance. In recent years, the agency has invested in strengthening its strategic planning function, recognising that creativity alone is not enough to sustain brand equity. With Meenakshi’s appointment, the company is expected to deepen its focus on research-led insights, long-term brand positioning, and integrated campaign planning.
For Meenakshi, the move represents both continuity and change. Continuity, because she has long been engaged in the discipline of brand strategy; change, because she now steps into a leadership role within one of the world’s most recognised communications networks. Her LinkedIn post conveyed enthusiasm for the journey ahead, reflecting the optimism that often accompanies such career milestones.
The broader industry context suggests that her appointment is timely. Indian consumers are increasingly discerning, with digital platforms reshaping how they interact with brands. Strategy leaders are tasked with not only understanding these shifts but also anticipating future trends. Meenakshi’s background in qualitative research positions her well to interpret consumer sentiment beyond surface-level metrics, enabling campaigns that resonate emotionally while delivering business outcomes.
Colleagues and peers who have worked with her describe her as detail-oriented, collaborative, and deeply invested in the craft of storytelling. These qualities align with Havas India’s philosophy of “meaningful brands,” which emphasises creating communications that matter to people and society. As Vice President – Strategy and Planning, she will likely play a pivotal role in translating this philosophy into actionable strategies for clients across sectors.
Her journey also reflects the evolving career paths within the advertising industry. Moving from corporate marketing leadership to independent consulting and now to a senior agency role, she embodies the fluidity of modern professional trajectories. This adaptability is increasingly seen as a strength, allowing leaders to draw from varied experiences and apply them in dynamic organisational contexts.
As she takes on her new responsibilities, industry watchers will be keen to see how Meenakshi shapes Havas India’s strategic direction. Whether in healthcare, consumer goods, or emerging sectors, her expertise in brand positioning and research-driven insights is expected to contribute to campaigns that balance creativity with effectiveness.
For now, her appointment is a reminder of the central role that strategy plays in the advertising business. In an era where brands must navigate cultural shifts, digital disruption, and heightened consumer expectations, leaders like Meenakshi C V are tasked with ensuring that creativity is anchored in purpose and planning. Her arrival at Havas India marks a new chapter in that journey—one that promises to be both challenging and rewarding.
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