VivaKi Exchange appoints Harsha Joshi as COO

Joshi will oversee the media buying business of Starcom MediaVest Group and ZenithOptimedia.

VivaKi India, a part of the Publicis Groupe, has roped in Harsha Joshi as chief operating officer, VivaKi Exchange. As part of her new mandate, Joshi will spearhead and oversee the media buying for Starcom MediaVest Group (SMG) and ZenithOptimedia. She will report to Mona Jain, CEO, VivaKi Exchange.

Earlier, Joshi was with Spatial Access Media Solutions, where she was CEO, Spatial Access (SA)3 - media and international.

Speaking on the appointment, Srikant Sastri, country chair, VivaKi (India), says, "VivaKi Exchange has a reputation for delivering buying value to clients of both SMG and ZO. Having an experienced person like Harsha focus more deeply on this will bring greater investment acumen and innovation."

With more than two decades of media planning, buying and digital experience, Joshi brings forth her knowledge of media buying audit, which includes development of rate benchmarks and devising buying process and buying strategy across all media. Joshi's extensive work span includes working on clients such as P&G, Godrej, Cadbury, Asian Paints, Coca-Cola, Britannia, Colgate and HUL, among others.

Before joining Spatial Access, Joshi was with Madison as COO, media buying and content for 11 years.

Joshi says, "I am delighted to return to main stream media post my short, but successful stint in media audit, which I will leverage to deliver better value to VX and its clients. I look forward to this new and exciting chapter in my career."

Commenting on the occasion, Mona Jain, CEO, VivaKi Exchange (India), says, "Harsha brings to the table years of experience in media buying as well as media audit. Her collaborative approach and win-win attitude have earned her the respect of media owners and clients alike. Her deep knowledge of the media market and that of clients and media owners will help VX consolidate."