Rahul Jauhari is chief creative officer, Rediffusion; Komal Bedi Sohal heads to Singapore

Sohal will take on the role of chief creative officer of Y&R Singapore.

Rediffusion-Y&R Group India has announced the appointment of Rahul Jauhari as chief creative officer. Komal Bedi Sohal, who held this position till now, will move to Singapore as chief creative officer of Y&R Singapore.

Jauhari and his team have previously worked on Tata Group on brands likes Tata ACE and Magic. He was also behind the repositioning of Kaya (Marico) and Onida. Prior to Everest, in a seven-year-long stint at Rediffusion Delhi & Mumbai, Jauhari led the creative work on Airtel, the agency's biggest account. His work on brands like Tata ACE (Chhotaa Haathi) and Tata Magic (Har Safar Main Kahaani Hai) ran successfully for years. His team was also behind building SAB TV from scratch to a powerful brand in the Indian GEC space. Under his watch, Everest has rolled out significant work for Parle brands like Parle G, Londonderry, Parle Marie and the recently launched Parle Simply Good.

Dhunji Wadia, president, Rediffusion-Y&R India, says, "Rahul has done a stellar job within the group. What I admire most is his passion and collaborative style of functioning and unending quest for creative excellence. Komal remains an ally within the network, and we will continue to take full advantage of that and I wish her the very best in her new role."

Jauhari began his career at McCann Erickson and was with the agency for four years. In 2008, he joined the erstwhile SSC&B Lintas - leading key business wins like Volvo, Dabur Vatika, DSP Blackrock Mutual Funds, Beverage Partners Worldwide and Maxx Mobile.

Commenting on his appointment, Jauhari says, "Rediffusion-Y&R Group is home to me. And I've enjoyed a great partnership with Dhunji over the last few years. Both Dhunji & I believe creativity is the pursuit of the entire agency and not just a department. For now, we'd like to put our heads down and focus on just that. The work comes first. Everything else will follow."

Meanwhile, Sohal, who had been CCO at Rediffusion-Y&R India for the last two years, will now move to Singapore as CCO Rediffusion Singapore. She played a significant role in the agency's resurgence, including 16 new business wins.

Commenting on her new role, she says, "In the past two years, Rediffusion has emerged as one of the top ten agencies, won new businesses, awards & recognition. I am extremely thankful to our clients who have supported the creatives & the teams who have tirelessly executed them. After two decades in India & Middle East, I am now ready to explore the exciting and emerging markets of South East Asia. I look forward to taking on new challenges at Y&R Singapore. I'm confident it will be equally thrilling and fulfilling."

"Komal's track record of both new business and awards success make her an ideal creative partner at the helm of Y&R Singapore. Having also ramped up the agency's strategic planning team, we're very optimistic for 2015," adds Y&R Singapore's managing director, Melvin Kuek.

The agency has also appointed Suparna Mucadum as vice president to head its Kolkata operations. In her new role, she will be reporting to Wadia, and add to the company's leadership team.

Mucadum has over two decades of industry experience. Over the years, she has worked at JWT, Trikaya, Rediffusion-Y&R, AMSI Radio, Polar Fans and has lead operations at Genesis Advertising and Grey Group.

In her advertising experience, she has worked on several brands across categories, including The Times Of India, Goodricke Tea, Tata Steel, Spencer's, Reliance Telecommunication, Shaw Wallace, West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation, National Insurance Company, TAJ Bengal, Tata Tea, Dunlop, Rupa Innerwear, Metro Cash & Carry, BOC, ONGC, Zee Bangla and UNICEF.