Dentsu Aegis Network India has anointed Sidharth Rao as Chairman, Happy mcgarrybowen and Dentsu Webchutney. Rao, who was prior to his elevation CEO, Dentsu Webchutney, was one of the founders of Webchutney, which was acquired by Dentsu in 2013. Rao will, however, continue to report to Anand Bhadkamkar, CEO, DAN India.
On Rao’s elevation as Chairman, Bhadkamkar said, “Sidharth’s journey with Dentsu Webchutney is one of the most iconic stories of modern Indian advertising. It has been a joy to watch Dentsu Webchutney grow the way it has in the last six years. Considered to be one of the best digital agencies of the country today, Dentsu Webchutney is now also one of the finest creative agencies in the business. Sidharth is already an integral part of DAN India’s key leadership team and, as we strengthen our digital and creative credentials, I am delighted to have him take up this additional new mandate with Happy mcgarrybowen.”
DAN India is expected to soon announce a new chief executive for Dentsu Webchutney.
Accepting his new job, Rao said, “I am extremely honoured to take up this new responsibility. My first 20 years in advertising has been a ride; and now I’m looking forward to the next 20 with our wonderful teams at Dentsu Webchutney, HMB, and the rest of the DAN family. HMB is a fantastic brand that comes with a great legacy. With the support of DAN, the Happy team in India and mcgarrybowen internationally, I am certain that our golden days are ahead of us.”
“Meanwhile, as part of our continued effort to strengthen DAN leadership in India, we will also be announcing a new CEO for Dentsu Webchutney — a decision that beckons a new chapter for the agency. 2019 has been a landmark year for us and, no matter what, we must carry on with this momentum. I’ve been jokingly telling my closest friends and family that this is the first-ever corporate promotion of my life and personally, I feel like I’m just getting started,” Rao added.
Happy mcgarrybowen, which describes as being “not a creative agency” but “an idea shop”, counts Flipkart, Ola, Suzuki, Lee, Myntra, MG Motors, and Chai Point, among others.
Denstsu Webchutney, widely ranked among the country’s top digital agencies, counts Bacardi, Swiggy, Gatorade, Jaslok Hospital, and Turquoise Cottage Café, among a host of others in the digital universe.
