Wieden+Kennedy strengthens leadership team

The Delhi office of Wieden+Kennedy has announced new additions to its senior management team.

Close on the heels of the successful 'Da Da Ding' campaign created for Nike India, and the recent digital and social new business win for the highly sought-after Delhi Tourism account, Wieden+Kennedy (W+K) Delhi has announced its new leadership team.

Shuchi Thakur has been appointed as executive creative director (ECD) for the agency. Thakur has had a hand in some of the best creative output the office has produced over the years, playing a key role in groundbreaking work for Royal Enfield and Make in India amongst many others.

Partnering Thakur will be Molona Wati Longchar. Having worked on brands such as Incredible India, Nokia, Forest Essentials, Royal Enfield and IndiGo Airlines, Longchar is welcomed back into the W+K family after her latest role as a consultant with visual communications firm Design Stash. In addition, she helped set up Nebuzz.com - an online content portal celebrating the culture and creativity of the northeastern states of India.

Commenting on her new role, Longchar says, "It's a great feeling to be coming back to W+K Delhi. Shuchi and I have had a great working partnership in the past, and I could not be more thrilled about teaming up with her once again and leading the creative mandate together."

Joining both to complete the Delhi leadership team is Sidharth Loyal, who has been appointed as managing director. Loyal too returns to W+K Delhi after having worked in a range of roles at some of the best agencies across the Asia-Pacific region including DDB and Saatchi & Saatchi. His unique approach and vast experience gives him a great understanding of the communications business locally and abroad, and he looks forward to growing the India offering in his new role. Loyal will be taking over the reins from current MD Patrick Cahill.

Says Loyal, "The communications business is going through a massive shift and what better place than W+K to help drive and lead this change. I'm really looking forward to partnering with my team and clients to further reinforce the agency's commitment to growth, by continuing to build a stellar creative product."

Karrelle Dixon, who oversees W+K's Asian operations as director of emerging markets, adds, "Building on the great momentum that Patrick and the entire office have created last year, it is hugely exciting to bring this team together. The chance to find a leadership team that understood the W+K culture and has the vision to further affect the creative landscape in India was an opportunity not to be missed, especially as we approach our 10th anniversary in the country."