Charlotte Chunawala appointed CEO of Cohn & Wolfe India

Global communications and public relations agency Cohn & Wolfe (a part of WPP) has appointed Charlotte Chunawala as chief executive officer of its India operations.

Chunawala will be responsible for all operations in India, providing strategic client counsel, leading new business efforts and ensuring integration with the agency’s offices across the Asia-Pacific region and around the world. Chunawala will report to Donna Imperato, chief executive officer of Cohn & Wolfe.

Chunawala will be supported by Dolly Tayal and Piyal Banerjee, who will head the Mumbai and Delhi offices respectively. The offices in Mumbai and Delhi commenced operations in April 2012. 

Chunawala’s experience includes over 15 years of agency and consultant work in the UK, Europe and South Asia. Formerly, she was chief executive officer of Good Relations India and the general manager of Edelman Brussels.

“These are dynamic times for development in India and there is tremendous potential for growth in the region,” said Imperato. She added, “I am very grateful to have a partner in Charlotte who brings a deep understanding of these market dynamics, and whose experience will greatly enhance our ability to serve clients who are looking for communications support in one of the fastest growing economies in the world.”

Chunawala said, “With clients constantly demanding better brand understanding and brand definition, who better to work with than Cohn and Wolfe, which is recognized internationally as a leader in brand strategy?”

Former Unilever India communications head Irfan Khan will serve as chairman of the board for Cohn & Wolfe India. Prema Sagar, founder and principal of Genesis Burson-Marsteller, will sit on the board and serve in a mentoring role.

Commencement of India operations is in line with Cohn & Wolfe's efforts to build its presence in Asia. Last year, it acquired impactasia and XPR in China and Southeast Asia, respectively. The agency now has eight offices in the Asia Pacific region.