JWT rejigs leadership across key offices

Changes have been announced across the agency's key offices in Mumbai, Bengaluru and Sri Lanka.

JWT South Asia has announced leadership changes across its key offices in Mumbai, Bengaluru and Sri Lanka. Rajesh Gangwani, head of JWT South, has been promoted as senior vice president and managing partner, JWT Mumbai.

Meanwhile, Himanshu Saxena, currently president, JWT group companies, Colombo will succeed Gangwani as SVP and managing partner, JWT South. Joy Chauhan will be taking over from Himanshu Saxena as president, JWT group of companies, Colombo.

Announcing the appointments, Colvyn Harris, CEO, JWT South Asia, says, "Rajesh and Himanshu are both dynamic leaders with strong connections to the markets, the consumers and the clients. By leveraging their strengths and strategic insights, JWT is uniquely positioned to maximize growth in these critical markets."

It's a homecoming for Gangwani, who joined JWT Mumbai as a management trainee in 1991 and worked on Hindustan Unilever and other Mumbai-based clients. He was later transferred to Bengaluru in 2002 and has led the office since January 2008 and, later as head of South, since 2011.

Tista Sen, national creative director, JWT India, will be Gangwani's creative partner and together they complete the leadership team at JWT Mumbai. "I look forward to my second innings in Mumbai and to the opportunity of leading our flagship office. Having been part of some amazing journeys on brands like Nike, Levi's, Madura and Lifestyle, it's going to be exciting times ahead," comments Gangwani.

With 22 years of experience in advertising, branding, consumer research and sales, Saxena comes in with a diverse experience of leading brands, offices and cross functional teams. As head of the JWT Sri Lanka, Saxena was overseeing JWT and the recently set up Contract Advertising. "I look forward to carrying on the good work in JWT South and pushing the bar higher," says Saxena.

Senthil Kumar, national creative director, JWT India, will continue to lead JWT South and Kolkata as Saxena's creative partner. Speaking about Chauhan, Harris says, "Having successfully established brands like Pepsi Foods, Nestle and, more recently, Airtel, Joy's move to Sri Lanka will help develop his career further. He has managed large teams and big brands and that experience will hold him good stead." Says Chauhan, "To be a part of a growing market like Sri Lanka, is the high that I really wanted at this point in my career."