Rohit Ohri moves out of Dentsu; to join FCB Ulka as CEO

He had recently relocated from India to Singapore as CEO, Dentsu APAC.

Rohit Ohri, CEO, Dentsu Asia Pacific, has decided to move on. Ohri was recently entrusted new responsibilities for which he relocated to Singapore. He is to join FCB Ulka as group chairman and CEO. Ohri will be replacing Nagesh Alai, who will assume the role of global vice chairman at FCB.

As per an official statement shared by Dentsu, "Rohit Ohri, CEO, Dentsu Asia Pacific (ex-Japan), has resigned after four years at the company. He has made a great contribution and we thank him for that. The new leadership of Dentsu brands in Asia Pacific will be announced in due course."

Commenting on Ohri's appointment, Carter Murray, worldwide CEO of FCB, says, "I want to thank Nagesh for dedicating his career to our FCB operations in India and for helping FCB Ulka become one of the strongest agencies in the country. I look forward to working with him on special global initiatives."

"When Nagesh and the board introduced me to Rohit as someone they felt fit the culture of the company, I was struck by his passion for what we do, his focus on great work and strong client relationships, and his natural gravitas," said Murray. "If you add his track record in the industry, Rohit is someone who I think will lead FCB Ulka forward with vision and energy, and keep the flame strong," he added.

With FCB's newly restructured global company, Ohri will serve as a member of the global operating committee and report directly to Murray in New York. He will be one of the CEOs helping to guide the global company.

"FCB has gone back to its roots and is reigniting its brand essence under Carter's leadership. The opportunity to partner with him, in what could be the most defining time in the history of FCB convinced me to quit my regional assignment and come back to India," says Ohri on his new role.

Ohri will be supported by FCB Ulka's management board, which includes Shashi Sinha, executive director, Lodestar Media and CEO - Mediabrands; Niteen Bhagwat, executive director, Interface Communications and Asterii Analytics; MG Parameswaran, executive director of FCB Ulka Mumbai and Bengaluru, FCBi, Cogito; and Arvind Wable, executive director, FCB Ulka Delhi.

Ohri had joined Dentsu India Group as executive chairman in 2011. Prior to joining Dentsu, he was with JWT for 21 years. He joined JWT Kolkata in April 1990. During his career with JWT, Ohri headed many client relationships and worked on some of the largest brands in India.

In June, this year, Dentsu Aegis Network had announced the appointment of Ohri as CEO, Dentsu Asia Pacific (excluding Japan, which is Dentsu's home turf). Ashish Bhasin, chairman and CEO, Dentsu Aegis Network South Asia, was handed over Ohri's duties in India. Bhasin is now responsible for all Dentsu Aegis Network assets in India, including the creative agency front.