40 Under 40 2024: Bharat Khatri, Omnicom Media Group

Bharat Khatri

Chief digital officer, APAC
Omnicom Media Group
Singapore

With over 16 years of experience in digital and sales across Asia Pacific, Bharat Khatri joined Omnicom Media Group as APAC chief digital officer in 2021. Since then, he has led digital marketing operations, launched innovative products, and fostered a culture of experimentation. His strategic vision has also driven double-digit growth in OMG’s digital spending through industry-leading partnerships, cementing his reputation as a marketing leader.

As CDO, Khatri has spearheaded strategic initiatives that have more than doubled OMG’s digital business over the past year—with his leadership in implementing AI-based solutions giving them a competitive edge. By cultivating a culture of experimentation in APAC, Khatri has driven a fivefold increase in digital channel and platform testing, extending beyond big tech. He was instrumental in driving industry-first media innovations at the Group regionally, including omni AI CTV co-viewing, short form video unification, and consolidated clean room measurement.

Respected by colleagues and clients for his hands-on, problem-solving approach, Khatri values feedback and open communication. His leadership style is rooted in empowerment, inclusivity, and mentorship—dedicated to nurturing the next generation of digital talent, while cultivating an environment where ideas thrive. Khatri works closely with executives and team members, fostering an inclusive environment where everyone has equal opportunities to grow, regardless of their background. A testament to this was successfully assisting in relocating a talented colleague from OMG Pakistan to OMG Thailand to take on a new role as a client lead.

Over the past three years, he has also partnered with talent teams across markets to champion mental wellness, introducing yoga initiatives and the OMG Mental Wellness Toolkit—a resource that empowers employees to prioritise their mental health.

Beyond internal efforts, Khatri collaborates with industry bodies and contributes to thought leadership through platforms like the Interactive Advertising Bureau, World Federation of Advertisers and World Advertising Research Center (WARC), advocating for inclusivity across the industry.

Before joining OMG, Khatri served as the country head of Xaxis in India. In this role, he managed the P&L for the country's most prominent agency programmatic desk, driving business growth over seven years and fostering partnerships with leading technology, media, and measurement players. Khatri’s forward-thinking digital initiatives and future-focused approach make him a valuable addition to this year’s Campaign 40 Under 40 list.