TING APPOINTS ROBIN THOMAS AS SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, GROWTH

Independent creative agency TING has named Robin Thomas as senior vice president, growth, based in Mumbai. Reporting to partner Aadil Mehta, Thomas joins from White Rivers Media and will lead business growth, strengthen partnerships, and support the agency’s national and international expansion plans.

TING has appointed Robin Thomas as senior vice president, growth, marking a significant leadership addition as the independent creative agency sharpens its focus on scale, partnerships and long-term expansion. Based in Mumbai, Thomas will report to partner Aadil Mehta and take on a mandate that spans business growth, strategic alliances and market development across India and overseas.

The appointment comes at a moment when TING is consolidating its position in a crowded and fast-evolving advertising and marketing landscape. As brands increasingly seek agencies that can marry creativity with measurable growth outcomes, TING’s decision to strengthen its senior leadership bench reflects a broader ambition to move decisively into its next phase of evolution. Thomas brings with him more than 12 years of experience across growth strategy, brand management and partnerships, positioning him to play a central role in shaping how the agency expands its footprint and deepens its client relationships.

Thomas joins TING from White Rivers Media, where he worked across business growth initiatives and brand-led engagements. Over the course of his career, he has built a reputation for blending strategic thinking with executional rigour, particularly in environments where agencies must balance creative ambition with commercial realities. His experience spans working closely with leadership teams, clients and external partners to identify growth opportunities, unlock new revenue streams and build alliances that deliver sustained value.

At TING, his role is expected to be both outward-facing and internally integrative. On one hand, Thomas will focus on driving new business growth, cultivating relationships with existing and prospective clients, and strengthening partnerships across the ecosystem. On the other, he will work closely with the agency’s leadership and teams to align growth objectives with TING’s creative philosophy, culture and long-term vision. This dual responsibility underscores the agency’s belief that growth is not merely about scale, but about building the right kind of partnerships and capabilities.

Partner Aadil Mehta said the appointment reflects TING’s intent to invest in leadership that understands the nuances of modern agency growth. As brands demand more integrated thinking and outcome-oriented solutions, agencies are increasingly required to go beyond traditional business development models. Thomas’s background in growth strategy and alliances is expected to help TING navigate this shift, particularly as it looks to expand its presence beyond its current markets.

TING has, over the past few years, built a reputation as a creative-first agency with a strong strategic backbone. Its work across categories has helped it attract a diverse client portfolio, while its independent structure has allowed it to move with agility. However, as the agency grows in scale and ambition, the need for dedicated leadership to manage and accelerate growth has become more pronounced. Thomas’s appointment signals a recognition that structured, strategic growth is essential to sustaining momentum.

In his new role, Thomas will also support TING’s national and international expansion plans. With Indian agencies increasingly competing for global mandates and regional hubs becoming more interconnected, the ability to build cross-border partnerships and understand diverse market dynamics has become critical. Thomas’s experience in working across brands and alliances is expected to be an asset as TING explores opportunities beyond India, whether through client expansion, collaborations or new market entries.

Speaking on his appointment, Thomas said he was drawn to TING’s clear point of view and its emphasis on meaningful creativity. He noted that growth today is as much about building trust and long-term relationships as it is about winning pitches or increasing billings. According to him, TING’s culture of collaboration and its focus on creating work that drives real business impact make it well placed to grow in a sustainable way. His goal, he said, is to help the agency scale without losing the values and agility that define it.

The timing of the appointment is also notable given the broader shifts underway in the advertising industry. Agencies are navigating a landscape shaped by digital acceleration, changing consumer behaviour, and increasing pressure on marketing budgets. In this context, growth leaders are expected to bring a holistic perspective that encompasses not just revenue, but also capability building, talent alignment and partner ecosystems. Thomas’s mandate at TING reflects this expanded view of growth as a strategic function rather than a purely sales-driven one.

Over the years, Thomas has worked at the intersection of brand strategy and business development, enabling him to understand both client expectations and internal agency dynamics. This experience is likely to inform his approach at TING, particularly in identifying sectors and clients that align with the agency’s strengths and aspirations. By focusing on the right opportunities rather than chasing volume, TING aims to build a portfolio that supports long-term stability and creative excellence.

The Mumbai base for the role is also significant. As India’s commercial capital and a hub for advertising and media, Mumbai offers proximity to key clients, partners and talent. From here, Thomas will work closely with TING’s leadership to drive initiatives that strengthen the agency’s market presence, while also exploring opportunities in other cities and regions. His role is expected to involve close collaboration with creative, strategy and operations teams to ensure that growth initiatives are grounded in delivery capabilities.

For TING, the appointment is part of a broader effort to build a leadership structure that can support its ambitions over the next phase of growth. As the agency continues to attract larger and more complex mandates, the need for senior leaders who can manage scale, partnerships and strategic direction becomes increasingly important. Thomas’s addition complements the existing leadership team and adds a focused growth lens to decision-making.

Industry observers note that agencies that invest early in growth leadership often find it easier to navigate market volatility and changing client expectations. By bringing in a senior executive with a clear mandate and relevant experience, TING appears to be positioning itself to compete more effectively in both domestic and international arenas. The emphasis on partnerships and alliances also suggests a recognition that collaboration, rather than isolation, will be key to future success.

As TING looks ahead, the focus will be on translating ambition into action. Thomas’s success will likely be measured not only in terms of new business wins, but also in the strength and longevity of relationships built, the clarity of the agency’s growth strategy, and its ability to scale while retaining its creative edge. In an industry where growth can often come at the cost of culture or quality, TING’s leadership has signalled that it intends to pursue a more balanced path.

With Robin Thomas stepping into the role of senior vice president, growth, TING has taken a clear step towards professionalising and future-proofing its growth agenda. As the agency navigates the opportunities and challenges of a rapidly evolving market, his experience and strategic perspective are expected to play a key role in shaping what comes next.