The Integer Group appoints Ketan Desai as managing director

Desai comes in from WPP's Grey Group where he was vice-president and head of the shopper marketing division. In his new role, he will manage the existing business and focus to further develop the outfit's India operation.

The promotional, retail and shopper marketing agency from the Omnicom Group stable, The Integer Group has appointed Ketan Desai aka KD as managing director for its India operations. He will work alongside Shiv Sethuraman, chief executive officer, TBWA Group India and Dan Paris, regional managing director, The Integer Group Asia Pacific.

Paris, in an official communiqué, says, "Desai has rare expertise in our industry, combining a wide brand portfolio with experience in the growing Indian market and sub-continent region, whilst demonstrating the granular insight critical to driving powerful and effective creative work for brands under his stewardship."

"Desai has considerable experience in many retail categories across our industry, demonstrating the leadership essential to drive growth for some of the biggest brand owners in the world," says Sethuraman.

Desai in his new role will not only manage existing network client shopper marketing programmes, but also continue to further develop The Integer Group India as one of the preferred promotional, retail and shopper marketing agencies.

"The Integer Group is a top promotional, retail and shopper marketing agency and for me, it is the opportunity to develop winning solutions for world class brands at the point of purchase. Retail and shopper marketing is my passion and there is no question for me that it represents the future of the industry," remarks Desai.

Desai began his career with Grey, back in the days when it was known as Trikaya Grey, in Kolkata 13 years ago. Since then, he has worked in several offices of the agency and played multiple roles. In 2010, he was promoted as associate vice-president and branch head for the Delhi office. Later, in 2011, he shifted to Grey's Mumbai office as vice-president and head of the agency's shopper marketing division.

At the agency, he has worked with both global and local clients such as Procter & Gamble, Marico, Hindustan Times, Audi, GSK, Revlon and Hindustan Times.