Havas Worldwide makes senior level appointments

Havas Worldwide has made some significant additions to its digital team in Gurgaon, including two senior level appointments.

Vikas Parihar has joined Havas Worldwide as senior vice president - digital and will be the business lead on the digital mandates of the agency. Parihar comes from Magnon/TBWA where he was the vice president - digital strategy and key accounts. In a decade-old career, Parihar's job responsibilities have ranged from heading the marketing function for brands to leading large digital businesses at digital agencies.

Joining Parihar in the digital team is Punita Lakhani, who came on-board the agency as associate vice president - digital strategy. Lakhani will lead the strategic planning function on Microsoft. Havas Worldwide is the digital agency on record at Microsoft for its hand-held devices business. Lakhani has been involved in digital strategy across companies such as Webitude, BC Webwise, Red FM and Big FM.

Welcoming them, Nirmalya Sen, chief executive officer, Havas Worldwide says, "Digital is not a division for Havas Worldwide. It lies at the heart of the agency. In a world where consumers toggle seamlessly between the online and offline worlds along their entire purchase journey, it is imperative that agencies can mirror that. Vikas and Punita will work closely with our mainline talent to design consumer journeys that are truly integrated."

Says Parihar, "Being young is empowering, being hungry is awesome. This is where I connected with Havas Worldwide. Havas has built its reputation on great work and I am honoured to now be a part of the success story. I look forward to working with this young agency where digital and business results are at its core."

"Havas Worldwide is the welcome change I was looking for. I am truly excited to be a part of this growing team. Havas has a wonderful portfolio of clients who are now getting an appetite for digital, which was the sweet spot," adds Lakhani.

Another significant hire made by Havas Worldwide is Lokesh Sah, who joins as a vice president on Havas' largest business in India, Reckitt Benckiser. He joined the agency from Lowe Worldwide, Bangkok, bringing with him 14 years of experience working for Lowe Worldwide, SOTC and TBWA. On his appointment, Sah says, "It feels great to be a part of a change team that is painting a new face of the agency. It is challenging and the twists and turns make it exciting."

Havas Worldwide India is an integrated communications company with digital at its heart. In India, its clients include Reckitt Benckiser, Microsoft, Uninor, Sanofi, HDFC Bank, Sony Six, Indiatimes, Del Monte and BPCL. Recently, Havas Worldwide India became the first Indian agency to win a Grand Effie at the Asia Pacific Effies.