DDB Mudra Group unveils succession plan

Madhukar Kamath, Group CEO and MD, DDB Mudra Group has announced a phased leadership transition for the group. 

 

Effective 1 April 2017, Vineet Gupta, currently the chief digital officer, DDB Mudra Group will be appointed as group CEO (designate) and Aditya Kanthy, currently the chief strategy officer, DDB Mudra Group will be appointed as group MD (designate). Kamath will be retiring from the agency by the end of the year. 

 

From 1 July 2017 the duo will formally take over as group CEO and group MD respectively. During this period Kamath will continue to work closely with Gupta and Kanthy as executive chairman of the DDB Mudra Group.

 

Gupta was a part of the founding team at 22feet which was eventually acquired by the DDB Mudra Group and Omnicom. Post the acquisition, Gupta continued to lead 22feet Tribal as its managing director. Prior to 22feet Tribal, he had stints with Café Coffee Day, Microsoft and STAR TV. 

 

Kanthy has spent 14 years with the group. 

 

Chuck Brymer, CEO, DDB Worldwide, said, "Madhukar and I have been working on the transition process for over the past year. We have undertaken a fairly comprehensive evaluation of talent, both externally and internally, and I am glad that we’ve identified the new leadership team from within the organisation. The transition process couldn’t begin at a better time, with 2016 being one of the best years for the DDB Mudra Group in terms of both revenue and margin growth. Both are immensely talented, business oriented and client focused. They bring together diverse skillsets of growing businesses by building and leading excellent teams."

 

Kamath said, "At the beginning of 2016, I had announced my intention to retire from the Group by end of 2017. I have always been a firm believer in empowering young talent and seeing them deliver beyond expectations. Vineet and Aditya have exemplified this in their respective careers so far. As a team, they bring together the best of business, technology, strategy and an appreciation of creativity. I am excited about the next three quarters where I will work closely with Vineet and Aditya in ensuring a smooth transition. I congratulate them and wish them all the best."