BBDO appoints Nikhil Mahajan and Akashneel Dasgupta to lead Delhi operations

BBDO strengthens its leadership team in India by bringing on board Nikhil Mahajan as General Manager for the Delhi office and Akashneel Dasgupta, who is joining as Chief Creative Officer. Nikhil Mahajan has also been appointed Chief Growth Officer for BBDO in India.

Mahajan joins BBDO from Lowe Lintas where he was Executive Director. His experience, gained over 16 years, covers various industries including music, banking and advertising. Previously, Mahajan has worked at leading companies including GE, Standard Chartered Bank, JWT and Lowe Lintas.

Talking about his shift to BBDO India, Mahajan said, “As storytellers we need to not merely adapt but stay ahead of the tide while the others learn to ride it. As the Delhi lead and the added responsibility of Chief Growth Officer for BBDO, my key mandate is to discover new paths and ways to grow and I can’t wait to get going.”

Dasgupta comes with more than 15 years’ experience in the advertising industry at agencies DDB Mudra, Lowe, Dentsu and ADK Fortune. Dasgupta found his creative calling following a short stint as an account planner, where the Creative lead recognised his potential and quickly placed him in the team. In his previous role as National Creative Director at ADK Fortune, he led the agency’s growth from 5 people to 55 people.

Regarding his move to BBDO India, Dasgupta had this to say, "I have been keenly watching the work they have been doing in India for the last few years. I’m excited to be part of the team keeping the creative legacy of BBDO alive alongside Josy & Suraja."

Commenting on Mahajan and Dasgupta’s appointment, Suraja Kishore CEO, BBDO India, says, “At BBDO we believe the future of advertising is ours to shape, and in Nikhil & Akash, we have discovered co-creators for our exciting new chapter. From the first meeting, Nikhil came across as someone who has a compelling drive and responsibility to do what he can to shape the future. Akash on the other hand impressed us with his ability to imagine and execute a future that he envisions. Together, they will help take our business to great new heights, as well as for our clients.”

Josy Paul, Chairman and CCO BBDO India, added, “Nikhil and Akashneel are natural born seekers. Nikhil is highly talented, with strong business acumen and an eye for creative storytelling, given his background in music and songwriting. And Akashneel is a creative enthusiast who is deeply rooted in the nuances of mass India. They speak the language of Gen Z and represent where advertising and marketing is going. Along with our young diverse talent at BBDO, we firmly believe they will create greater value for our clients as they push the industry forward.”