BBDO India has hired Nikhil Mahajan as general manager of its Delhi operations and the appointment of Akashneel Dasgupta as the agency's CCO.
Nikhil Mahajan has also been appointed chief growth officer for BBDO in India.
Mahajan joins from Lowe Lintas where he was the executive director. His experience, gained over 16 years, covers various industries including music, banking and advertising.
Mahajan said, “As storytellers we need to not merely adapt but stay ahead of the tide while the others learn to ride it. When I met Josy & Suraja, there was an almost intuitive connect and excitement, on how we can shape the future. To find that kind of chemistry with key stakeholders is rare, and it’s critical to the success and growth for our brands. 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. In his previous role as NCD at ADK Fortune, he led the agency’s growth from 5 people to 55 people.
Dasgupta said, "I have been keenly watching the work they have been doing in India for the last few years. It always resonated with me. So relatable, so every day and yet so powerful. Even at ADK, I was lucky to be part of work which was similar in nature and here I could see synergy. I’m excited to be part of the team keeping the creative legacy of BBDO alive alongside Josy and Suraja."
Suraja Kishore CEO, BBDO India, said, “In Nikhil and 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.”
