Havas' Shavon Barua joins PHD as managing partner

She will head PHD Mumbai.

Omnicom Media Group has announced the appointment of Shavon Barua as managing partner, PHD Mumbai. In this newly created position, she will be working closely with Jyoti Bansal, managing director, PHD India, to build its rapidly increasing portfolio.

Barua moves in from Havas Worldwide, where as president she was leading the P&L for West and South across various verticals of mainline advertising, digital, health, engagement and experiential. A seasoned leader with two decades of experience, she has partnered large local and global brands like HDFC Bank, Sony, Six, Bharat Petroleum, Sanofi, Colgate Palmolive, Unilever, Lakme Lever, Parle, ITC, PepsiCo, Nestle and Reckitt Benckiser.

She has led some breakthrough communication work like Parle G's 'G mane Genius' and Colgate Gel 'Talk to Me', which swept national and international awards.

Jasmin Sohrabji, CEO, Omnicom Media Group, India & SEA, says, "I am delighted to see PHD India's growth over its two-year existence. Shavon's leadership experience with a creative communication agency will be a great addition in strengthening our product."

Bansal adds, "Infusion of diversified talent has been key to the success of PHD. Shavon's depth of experience with brands and integration across verticals will add immense value to our clients."

Speaking on her appointment, Barua says, "Ahead of the curve thinking of the senior management team of PHD resonates with my thinking. I am excited to be joining this team and collaborating with some of media's finest minds to push the bar on creative media thinking."

Welcoming Barua to PHD, Susana Tsui, CEO, PHD APAC, says, "India is our fastest growing market and also one of our star performers in APAC. Shavon coming in to lead PHD Mumbai will strengthen our integrated strategic planning product and truly mark our investment in such an important market."

Prior to Havas, Barua was executive business director with JWT India, leading one of its biggest portfolios - Nestle (KitKat, Munch, Milkybar) and Pepsi Foods (Lay's, Kurkure, Doritos and Quaker). The Kurkure positioning of 'Tedha hai par mera hai' and Lay's 'Be a little Dillogical' was championed and created under her leadership and guidance.

PHD India has won three Gold Media Lions at Cannes for its work on 'Kan Khajura Tesan' for Hindustan Unilever. With offices in Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru, PHD India's client list includes Hindustan Unilever, HP, htc, Hyatt Hotels, Isuzu Motors, SC Johnson, United Spirits Diageo and SAP.